Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1923-03-07
THE WELCOME
BY EMILY o. MILLER
~ n - N - - 4. = /. ~ - - . /. . - . - IA
60, 1922, by Mcclure Newspaper Syndicate }

tS, I'VE, by Mcclure Newspaper Syndicate
1t was at a gathering Of distinguished
men and women-fnanciers, railroad
owners, novelists of both sexes, scien
fists, bank presidents and society lead
ers.
Charles Marston, an eminent psy-
chologist young-appearing man at
sixty, despite his gray goatee and mus
tache, was drinking his tea in the com
pany of young woman whom he I'M
derstood to be rising novelist, but
whose name he had failed to catch. In
this assembly Of refined and we'll
dressed women Marston thought his
brown-haired, brown-eyed companion,
in her smart gray-blue suit, her gray
fox fur and gray velvet turban excelled
any of the others in attractive appear
ance.
Il noticed a queer expression here to-
day" he remarked. "The young gen.
tleman who handed me my tea replied
to my thank you with a suave vel
come as thunder Strange phrase to
hear in this group, don't you think?"
The young woman smiled, displaying
her fine teeth. ut was that tall, hand
some man in the gray tweeds, wasn't
it?" she asked.
"Yes," replied MarstOn. "Who is hep
THAT is Edward Ulmer, president of
the big steel corporation" she said.
IF you'd like to hear it l can tell you
the story Of why Ned says Welcome
as thunder l fear though, that it
would bore you. You could not be eX-
pected to be especially interested"
my dear young lady," protested the
man. with half smile, 81 certainly am
interested in any story that accounts
for man going through life saying
Welcome as thunder if 1t won't bore
you to tell it."
ut won't bore me-" she smiled II
am always interested in the story, but
If you are to listen to me bring up
that chair and be comfortable.
II shall take you back five years."
she said, "to the time when Ned IN
mer was fresh from Harvard, having
s. duuulCu with SNllOloliy llOlloio 90
well as two major letters and record
Of leading a football team which licked
Yale by one of the largest scores
known. Ned was an athlete and an ex-
service man, and he was popular at
once.
Unfortunately, Ned was bashful
and had little use for the weaker SEX
and the work that Ned did keeping out
Of the way of the matrimonial as
pirants would have exhausted less
rugged man.
1.-THE irony Of fate is marked some
where in the life of every person who
forgive me, am telling you story,
not talking philosophy. Anyway. Ned
loved the only girl in the North shore
colony that wasn't chasing him. She
was Peggy Norwood, a little mink just
out Of finishing school and with an ex-
tremely good opinion of herself.
zone day in the second summer Of
Ned's devotion, the summer after Peg
gy made her debut in society, Ned and
Peggy started across Squaw mountain
in Ned's runabout. When they were
winding up the trail thunder shower
swOOped down on them. Squaw Noun
tain Inn, a rtckety country structure
not very well patronized, was the only
place of refuge. Ned drove his car into
the barn and he and Peggy went into
the inn parlor The whole family Of
the innkeeper was gathered on the
front porch to watch the storm and
Ned and Peggy were alone.
Ned was standing, back to the win
dow. He stood very straight and hand
some with his leather coat thrown
open and his cap in his hand. Peggy
was leaning against the mantelpiece.
Ned had never told Peggy that he
never dared, but this day In the old
parlor Of the inn he asked her to marry
him.
Nov, Peggy was a foolish braggart
and strangely moved one at that. She
put her hands In the pockets Of her
sport skirt and heaven only knows
what foolish quips she was preparing
to fling at Ned when, suddenly, bolt
of lightning flashed from the dark
cloud, and the most crashing. Earring,
terrifying thunder followed.
Peggy crossed the room in just two
leaps and flung herself into Ned's arms,
which were perfectly willing to receive
her. That thunder robbed Peggy of
every bit of bravado and self-conceit
that she possessed and she recognized
the true worth OF Ned Ulrich. Six
months later they were married and
lived happily ever after. Ned thanks
the thunder for his happiness but
know that Peggy loved him all the
time. That is why Ned says welcome
as thunder.
'"That story never need bore any
body" said Marston, warmly. 1T was
charmingly told. You are a novelist
l understand, and 7 wonder how you
vouch for the truth Of this pretty ro