Worcester Democrat and the ledger-enterprise. (Pocomoke City, Md.) 1921-1953, 1925-12-12
When Love Was
Calling
BY DOROTHY DOUGLAS
(Copyright.)

" hstGu, 1OE Tie last tliue dAOiic, ~
the voice he loved best in all the
world. After that, when he had heard
each record, he would destroy them
all.
An hour previously he had posted
the letter to Mildred Calvin, asking
her to become his wife. The die was
already cast and he would hencefOrth
endeavor to put dreams of his boy
hood sweetheart completely from his
life; but not before he had heard once
again each Of her glorious s0ngs-and
there were many of them. His lonely
feast Of music would last long into
the night
1t seemed but yesterday-though q
full 10 years had passed-that he and
arm through the sweet smelling coun-
try lanes and he had pleaded with her
to marry him.
Il know as well as If 1t were writ
ten on the sands" she had told him.
that If we marry now I will utterly
fail to carry out my ideals In music.
II you will wait for mel will love
no one but YOU"
But Gilroy In his immature reason
ing and the heat Of youth, had turned
from her. He wanted her then or not
at ALL II she loved her voice better
than she loved rim she must choose
her own way.
Mary had chosen, and In all the Is
years they had not SD much as spoken,
written or heard Of each others move
ments.
OF course Gilroy knew Of Mary At
woods success as nearly all the mu-
sic-loving world did. But he knew
not where she was nor would he have
followed had he known.
However, Mildred Calvin was
lovable wee thing, and no doubt they
would be tremendously happy and
some day he would tell her all about
Mary.
Mary's songs at seventeen had been,
won't You Tell Me Why, Robin?"
"In the Cleaning" 'The Lost Chord"
'Ye Banks and Braes," and GilrOy had
managed to secure them all for his
gramophone.
He was so deep in his dreams and
SO regretful Of their imminent pass
ing that he was only half conscious
that a voice, not that of the gramo-
phone, was singing through won't
You Tell Me Why, Robin?
Gilroy's heart thumped against his
side and he gripped the arms of his
chair in a tensity of emotion that he
had not known for years.
Ee~ Gilroy's name was Robin and
the om,otion in that voice told him
that Mary Atwood was in the same
building calling to him
He must go.
Down the elevator he went and
swiftly to the office of the apartment
house to make inquiry. A lady had
arrived during the afternoon, yes
her name was not however, Atwood.
Glroys heart sank. Was it then
not his Mary? Or worse still. was 1t
Mary and she was married? He could
not contemplate the thought and
rushed off to the rooms mentioned by
the clerk.
of rooms and Gilroy found himself
In the grip Of an emotion that held
him silent.
"Robin-Robin Affair."" she cried,
using the old pet name.
MY Mary" was all Gilroy could
say, and then Mary was in his arms
and she was trembling and Gilroy
could only hold her close
"It was really you-listening to my
voice?" she asked presently; sit
doesn't seem possible. The Great
Hand of Fate-isn't it, ,Robin?" Her
voice was unsteady.
Il have listened to your voice ever
since the first record came out and In
my SOUL have heard it-before
that"
She was leading him into her spa.
ciOus sitting room. And now tell me
everything. l am hungry to hear you
talk. l Sneaked into the country I'M
der an assumed name so that might
have a few months away from my
public-they demand SO much of me-"
You are nOt-married"
She looked W1Stfully at him. Il
told you Is years ago l would always
love you, Robin"
Suddenly Robin realized the terror
of the situation. His letter of pro-
pOsal to Mildred was even then in
her hands-nO doubt she was writing
him her answer and Gilroy knew it
would be ''yes."
MARY, my own, he said swiftly,
Il have had no one in the depths of
my heart, sleeping or waking, for Is
years, and now, now when had given
up hope of your seeking ME out,
have asked another girl to become my
wife. l have never wanted to seek
you because l felt too unworthy and
small. Now l know 1 have been
firSt-claSS idiot. | shall love Won al