Mountain advocate., 1922-02-03
VIA THE PINK ONE
BY hester cALpERwoop.
.~~<e~<e~~<~<~<s <~<se<<Ssese~~ee

Everyone he had met that day ON
his way to the office had said: Good
morning. Mr. clifford; fine morning,
isn't itT And Larry Clifford had
gazed into the sky and had seen that
it was blue and cloudless and that
the sun was shining, and had suddenly
discovered that IL was sne day-out-
side. But when he opened the door OF
his buslness-lOoking Office, everything
was dingy and lonely-like his own
, thoughts
Perhaps Erma Clark was to blame,
perhaps she wasn't. Anyway, he had
accompanied her to one Of the usual
twice-a-week theater trips that night.
but he had not accompanied her home.
She left him at the theater door and
told him, very decidedly, that she pre-
ferred to go home alone.
SO Larry plodded back to his two
uninvitlng, rented rooms with down
cast heart and Erma's fiery words still
ringing in his ears-words TO the effect
that he had become so engrOssed in
his business of late that he had
neglected her to the point Of rudeness.
A wonderful frame of mind to be
in at the start of long office day
Larry's head felt heavy and stupid
and dull, too.
And the work that was before him
| His desk was fairly swamped with
letters. And right on top of the pile
was pink envelope, addressed in a
feminine hand.
Larry gave dsgusted groan and
| threw the letter on the floor.
The door opened. Larry wheeled
around in his chair and saw a tall
slender girl enter the room. She was
dressed in soft. dark brown. But the
chic French veil she wore was Of such
dark. dense shade that it completely
hid her features from him.
"IIellow the person said. "Alone?
Isn't that nice"
Larry stared at her moment then,
remembering that he hadn't risen to
his feet hastily did so and stood before
her awkwardly silent.
Larry hadn't long to wonder, for the
girl was already lOosening the veil
from her face, and then
"Erma!" he cried joyously, spring
ing toward her, "Erma-dear."
"I couldn't stay away any longer
Larry" she whispered softly, coming
closer to him.
But you said"
The girl pressed a small hand over
his mouth. 81 know ! said lot of
things. Larry dear, and I've come to
be forgiven for them; the things
said about yOu being selfish and ugly
l mean."
But I'm afraid l did neglect you
Erma. l didn't think-I had more
business than l could attend to last
week, and it simply wouldn't let me
think of anybody or anything else"
Larry. you didn't neglect me
you've been wonderful to me-always
needed this lesson-the thought that
perhaps you wouldn't forgive me-tC
make me understand"
Larry didn't answer. He only stood
silently before her, too happy, too be
wildered to speak.
Dear" she was saying in her soft
low voice, 81 know how to appreciate
you now. couldn't get along without
you. l love you, Larry! l love you
Please, please, forgive me-"
Then it was that Larry spoke
Dearest" he cried hOarsely, "sta!
with me always; promise me. l love
you, Erma dear, love"
His last words were lost as he gath
cred her close in his arms and smoth
cred his face in her hair, his whole
heart filed with new, warm Joy o.
having her back again. For severa
moments they remained thus, until th'
sharp striking of the office clock awok'
Larry and he lifted his head, still quit
dazed, from the letter-littered desl
top.
So that was all! Erma was still
lost, he was still alone; 1t had onl!
been a dream.
He mustn't think about II any Ion
ger, he told himself. His work must b.
done and he would tackle the wors
part first. SO thinking. he picked u
the pink envelope, which had falle
at his feet and opened 1t. 1t read:
Dearest Larry-In half an hour
will be at your Office, so have all call
ers out by then. I'm coming to b.
forgiven for the horrid things / sal
to you, Larry dear. I've missed 20
terribly since last night and I'm 4
such a hurry to see you that / can
stop to write any more.
Lots Of love,
"ERMA."
Erma had been lost and now sh
Ana honninacC ho