Evening star., 1922-04-16
BADIAN TERWILLIGER was
chief clerk in the law firm
of Mauchauser 6 Holfen-
stein of 80 Broad street,

and STOPPING. with a sandy complex
ion and watery gray eyes. and on
account of his long. inauiring nose
was know. -SA,nd his back. by the
rather irreverent name of "Snooks
Coming. as he did, of an old New
England family, save for himself ex-
tinct, he looked frigidly down from
an immense height of traditional cul-
ture upon the members of the nrm
whose only claim to distinction lay
in the fact that they were young and
hustlirg.
Obadiah was neither, but as an ex-
ponent of the slow and sure policy
he was unsurpassed. Had 1t not been
for a single slight physical impede
ment he felt sure that he would have
been a leader of the bar. To this he
was accustomed to refer as "a tend
ency to delay or hesitate in his
speech" In reality it was just a
plain stammer that corked up tight
when he became excited and for the
rest of the time made conversation
an agony.
Obadiah's sterile heart was indeed
an unlikely place for the seeds Of ro-
nance to blossom In. No tares would
have choked them. to be sure, but it
was barren ground. Yet such Is the
perversity Of the little god that un-
expectedly. inexcusably and most
overwhelmingly he fell in love at the
age of forty-one years.
1t all happened simply enough.
Obadiah, constantly mindful that
health is essential to intellectual as
well as physical greatness. made it a
point never to miss his Saturday
afternoon walk up 5th avenue. Not
that the gaiety of the scene at
tracted him. He just plodded on. fol-
lowing his nose-Terwilliger the
philosopher. the untouched, the de-
spair Of love. until on the fatal day
herein chronicled he had crossed
42d street at the imminent risk OF his
life and had reached the door of a GER
tain we'll known candy shop. when un-
expectedly a young lady burst forth.
stumbled almost into his arms and as
suddenly recolled.
THUS forced by fate upon his at
most beautiful creature that his
eyes had ever beheld, and in truth she
was a bewitchirgly piquant damsel
with damask cheeks and long black
lashes through which snapped violet
tinted eyes. Her clinging mauve
gown wrapped a figure temptingly
1.-the and delicately rounded. and her
rakish hat but partially concealed a
wealth of dark tresses wound round
her small head in the very latest Golf
fure. She uttered a. tiny shrek. while
he, in an agony of trepidation. stop
ped short blushed and raised his
fedora hat Obadiah could not speak
even had he so willed. For long
moment their eyes lingered-almost
embraced. Then. bowling in prince
ly manner, he made way for hep and
she passed out of his sight among
the throng.
In delirium of excitement Obadiah
followed. but could find no trace of
her With heart of lead he con-
tinued on his way up the avenue,
turned, as was his custom. at 4sth
street and retraced his steps. He
realized that in that one brief instant
he had seen his future happiness ap-
pear and vanish. He walked back TO
10th street in a golden dream. He
ate no supper. That night her violet
ewes haunted him as he tossed sleep
less upon his bed.
During the week that followed he
was more than usually inenectlve at
the law Office. He let one case go oy
default and made several other egre-
sious mistakes for which there was
no apparent excuse. He forgot 10
mail important letters and neglected
the firms register. While taking his
meals at the boarding house table
he had a far-away look in his eyes
and constantly neglected to pass the
milk. The others surmised what
was the matter, but did not regard 1t
as conceivably possible. Mr.. Ter
williger in love? Ridiculous.
At last Saturday came round again.
Once more Obadiah in a clean collar
(which he had carried all day in his
pockep, with his shoes freshly shined.
started up the avenue at a much ear
Her hour than usual. This time he
carried no book beneath his elbow,
and, contrary to their custom. his
eyes darted hither and yon among
the crowds upon the sidewalks. Hay
ing reached AID street, he adjusted his
coat and necktie. wiped his specta-
cles and took his stand on the curb
opposite the door of the candy shop.
For a whole hour he waited. growing
every moment more impatient and
<;iScouraoad Then he saw her COM
ing round the corner and entering the
store.
Obadiah darted across the side
walk He would not lose her this
time. During the seven days that had
elapsed he had made a thorough
study of the art of courtship. He had
read all the books. He had all the
fine points There should be nothing
OF the timid lover ABOUT Obadiah Ter
williger. He strode masterfully into
the store She was standing calmly
at the soda counter eating from a
tall glass with a long spoon.
r X
CHE raised her violet eyes. saw him
- there mute before her. trembied
and dropped her spoon. In an in
slant he was upon the floor. had res
cued it and she had thanked him pret-
tily.
II jus' love sodai Don't your she
remarked brightly. in tones that en-
meshed his heart.
"LI-love it, too!" he stammered,
furiously red.
Haven't we met before?" she in