The Manchester journal. [volume] (Manchester, Vt.) 1861-current, 1922-03-30

PAGE THREE
with saneghsug like a9sraF she re-
membersd ihai Arthur Bridges bad
said he would leayr that brief u his
with her 10 he copied Arthur Bridges.
the man who alcfated letters 20 her
every day aud fed her Work as thoagh
she were wellsolled maehlael
"Tve got TO have sumo practice she
qusvered aud stood np suddenly. icy
Of finger ZIP aud iutteriag Of pulse.
She heard her footsteps ring down
the unexpected stairs, She could al
most fancy tney betrayed her fright
but when she. pushed aside the por-
there's In her aunt's stif sitting room
she was neryed 10 desperation.
"HoN DO you do. Miss Post
brought you" then the man With
the broad shoulders and the grim face
stopped suddenly and stared ut her
as though he had made a mistake.
Mellta tilted her head back and int
ed her eyebrows.
"oh. yes, that--that work. | never
think Of work after It's all over" she
said In n voice that shook in spite OF
her.
The grim young man In the chair
by the window made no move. how
ever. to 40.
Mellia, leaning forward so that the
earrings dnngled audaciously, lifted
the cigarette box from the table at her
side She passed II 10 him silently
and chose one herself. lighting II with
fingers that were nons too steady, and
took a slight pun that almost stran-
gled her.
II won't keep you II you're going
out"
Just TO dinner" Melita said airily
with a sidewise glance nj the door.
She almost faneied she had heard her
aunt's step In the hall. She was quite
aware that the man opposite was
studying her from the fash OF her
sparkling comb to her really exquisite
ankles.
Miss Post" he said abruptly. I'm
going to say something for which
you'll never thank me. but I've got
to say II. You've been working for
me now for almost q year. l admired
everything about you-your dignity
and your quiet charm and your differ
snce from other women. II siways
rested me to come TO the office 90
see you, and yet you were always 30
aloof. I-I-you'll think me an awful
bounder, but wish could think
OF one girl as being simple and sweet
and old fashioned. You're too lovely
to descend TO this sort OF thing" and
he brought his hand down on the
cigarette box with q crash.
"You meanf
II mean that I admired you more
than any woman l knew. That
was going TO try" Ire lifted his
hat and gloves from the chair be-
side him.
Melita saw him stand up Her
heart began to pound In terrifying
way, she tried to speak but her voice
sounded hoarse.
Tomorrow Is New Years" he salf
slowly, "lots OF people begin all
over"
81 almost believe" whispered Mellta,
"that 1t would be nice to begin all
over. Just 10 be simple and-and---"
A new light flashed into the steady
gray eyes.
He held out his hand. would
your he asked tentatively, have
dinner with me at my mother'sf It's
out in the country very different from
all this sort OF thing"
81 might" said Melita with the
trace OF hesitation.
She heard his words then his plans
for the morrow while she smiled faint
~, wondering II any Of IL could be
true.
But when the door had closed after
him she sank down weakly on the
couch aud laid cold hands on her
burning cheeks.
"And yet I'm sure he wouldn't ever
have asked me II he hadn't thought
I was really a yampf' She snstchsd
on her earrings, rubbed the back OF
her hand across her mouth and told
the stsr-eyed girl in the gilt mirror.
I'm going TO keep my resolution.
think ]"