Newark leader. ([Newark, Ohio]) 1917-1946, 1924-06-06
BOLD AND DASHlNG
Sy LOUISE M. ADDISON


that he would be no more shy, silent
man, but a bold, dashing fellow, like
his friend, Eric Wellfeet, whom, he im-
agined, Miss Ramsay admired.
Having made up his mind, the pro-
fessor dropped into confectioner's
shop, where he purchased fiye-pound
box OF candy Of brilliant red color.
Girls like candy, and gay, dashing fel-
lows were always buying it for them.
Professor Jordan was sure that Ellen
would be delighted with his gift, to
which he added, from a florists shop
across the way, few exquisite roses
that exactly matched the candy in
color. They were expensive, but to
bold, dashing fellow expense was
mere trifle.
Very bold and very dashing indeed
did the professor appear when Ellen,
with brilliant smile, opened the door
for him.
$50 glad to see you" she said.
Mothers lying down with headache,
and I'm feeling rather dull-dying OF
loneliness, In tact.
In the professors judgment Ellen
didn't look as If she was dying OF
anything. Her color was high, her
eyes shining. She was prettier than he
had ever seen her before, SO pretty
that he forgot he was a bold, dashing
fellow, and became his usual shy,
awkward self. Instead Of offering the
roses with the nonchalance Of Don
Juan, he put the flowers carefully on d
chair, and as carefully sat down on
them. The box of candy he held tight
ly clasped under his arm.
Ellen looked little puzzled as she
offered him tea.
"How-how is your book getting
along?" she asked.
"Splendidly. That is-not so good"
The professor reflected. He was not
even distantly approaching the stand
ard he had set himself. He reminded
himself that he had role to play;
that he was bold, dashing fellow, and
he mustn't sit and stare like an idiot.
An inspiration came to him.
"YOu-you are very beautiful" he
said.
Ellen showed surprise, and the bold,
dashing fellow blushed, uncomfortably.
Women were disconcerting creatures
and there was something wrong with
his chair. He rose and picked up the
once fresh and lovely flowers, most Of
them beheaded.
"So-so-sorry," he said. II bought
those roses for you, but 1 guess-l
guess they're not much good now"
Poor flowersl'' said Ellen. "Tll put
them in water, anyhow. Maybe they'll
revive"
The bold, dashing fellow bethought
himself Of his other gift. 'This," said
he, taking the five-pound box from un-
der his arm, sis candy. l hope you will
enjoy it,"
Ellen's eyes bulged as she opened
the box. strawberry drops! 1 used
to love them as child. It's awfully
good Of you, but-but there are quite
a lot Of them, aren't there?"
II intended that you should have a
lot of them" said the professor,
grandly. He had somewhat recovered
his composure. Certainly women were
disconcerting creatures, but bold,
dashing fellow could always handle
them.
Ellen looked a trit1e uneasy. "Wiu
you-will you have some more tea"
she asked.
II will Tea from you is like--like
cocktail-from another"
1t wasn't at all what he had intend
ed saying. Cocktails and the professor
were not even distantly related, but,
though unprecedented, he felt that the
speech fitted his role nicely.
Ellen silently refilled his cup. and
set 1t before him. The professor, with
out noticing her perturbation, and
more and more pleased with himself in
the role of Don Juan grasped her
hand. Ellen, in growing confusion,
withdrew it too quickly. The cup
turned over, the hot tea splash1ng her
fingers. and, to the professors con-
sternation, she began to cry.
Gone was Don Juan, gone the bold,
dashing fellow A young and horror
stricken Professor Jordan stood before
Ellen, professor the picture of abject,
miserable guilt.
"Please-please," he pleaded, when
he found his voice, don't cry. I'm h
fool, brute, donkey, criminal
Pm everything that is low and vulgar
and detestable! And I'll never, never
forgive myself! Let me get you an un-
guent You must be suffering horri-
bly,"
"It-it isn't the burn that hurts. It's
its you. You-you put on the cloak
Of and-and-it doesn't fit
you You're-you're so much nicer as
your plain, honest self. II don't
know what to make of you this after
noon"
The professors face flushed deeper
crimson. Forgive me, Ellen. l was
trying to initiate Eric Wellfieet.
thought you liked him, and"
Ellen laughed hysterically. II cor
daily and heartily dislike him, because
he is conceited, empty-headed prat-
tier who thinks he's !ady-killer. II