Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1923-11-14
THIRD ATTEMPT
BY ELEANOR N. LORiNG
s@.sss ssss.s - ~
%. 1923. by Mcclure Newspaper Syndicate.

0T ONIGHT he's going to-" Natalie
remarked graphically to her image
in the mirror, as she leaned forward
to powder her small, straight nose.
yes, stree; it's now or never for Dick
Dean; this as she lightly brushed her
rouge puff over each young cheek and
stood off to survey herself. you new
er looked better, and it's now or never
You've been playing around for six
months; far too long at your time Of
life to waste on any but the right
man."
1t was Natalie's theory that one new
er could spot the right man until he
proposed. In the last five of her
twenty-five years she had listened to
seven men hand out that age-old line;
and, always, before they were half
through, she had planned to answer
no"
Tonight would make the eighth, and
if
horn shrilled loudly, and Natalie
tore herself away from the mirror.
Take coat, Nat" Mrs. Powers called.
NO." her daughter returned firmly.
She had reasons for not desiring a
coat.
"WeIl, If you sit out in that car to-
night Pm going to come out and tell
you to come In the house, SOS Dick
can go home If he wants to-"
The reply, II wish you'd quit read
ing the funnies," was lost in the slam
of the screen door, and Natalie ran
down the walk.
"What were you saying?" aueried
Dick.
"Oh, nothing. Just giving some part
ing advice to the ancient Natalie
became sweetly serious, Lets go out
Cedar Lake way, it's so lovely to-
night"
Dick objected: 1.-THE roads are rot-
ten. Natures just as grand some other
went out Cedar Lake way. moon,
stars, lake" thought Natalie. He'll
have 80 come to the point"
As the car turned off from the main
road she began to wonder Just what
she would say when the time came.
somewhat objectionable by eXclaiming,
each time the car bumped, Amt ma
ture grand, thought
Suddenly there came n loud report.
Hang that tire ~ For nearly haff an
hour Natalie sat quietly in the car
l,iI al thrs Nv
he climbed in beside her. Slowly Shey
backed out Of the lane, away from the
and the shining water.
Gone, one good CHARGE!
Dick never drove with one hand. II
only he would! Natalie Teamed closer,
fluffy head rested on the rough tweed
of his coat. She shivered. She wasn't
exactly cold, bui--"Here, put my coat
over your shoulders" Efe slipped out
his right arm.
AT last thought Nat@iie. For
when you, are sharing a coat with a.
man there is good chance that hes'
might ask you to share fife with him,
as we'll Rut swiftly he drew the left
urn.
"Oh, no. came Natalie's shocked
objection. you'll freeze, Dick. Put
some of it around you"
NO" casually, couldn't drive so
WILL What I'm Interested in now is
getting you home, where It's warm"
HsG Speeded up.
fsCsDt,;no IN Sba4 oclypT, I'm an in
different tone, as the car stopped In
front of the house. She. hrcathed
sigh of relief upon seeing no light in
the living ROOM For Though she had
fafled twice there was always another
chance. and who knew what might hap
Den ut the ehird attempt?
"Oh, I guess So said he, as he fol
lowed up the walk.
"0h, there's a fire." cried Nat, peer
ing into the empty room. mother
must have known we'd be- cold, Lets
sit in the dark and be comfy"
Dick muttered as he floundereG.
about in the dim room,
"Poor boy, is he, most breaking his
neck? Here, let me take his hand"
"Seems to me that yon have TIE
furniture changed about every time
come into this place" he complained,
as, she led him 10 the davenport.
Natalie rose to the occasion. She
felt that opportunity had again
Knocked. 81 iust love to play about
a house Just adore picking up and
arranging things Oh, as time goes on,
you'll notice lots of things about me
that will surprise you"
81 have noticed some things" he
said tentatively.
Natalie leaned closer. She pat her
hand on hiSFarm. "Do tell.
"Wel, Eve noticed just what my
cousin Bob told me-"
eYour cousin Bob?"
Yes. ne went with you TIVE springs
ago"
Bob Gibbons" she said faintly, aud
drew away her hand. He, too, had