Worcester Democrat and the ledger-enterprise. (Pocomoke City, Md.) 1921-1953, 1925-05-23
Adele's east"
Adventure
%. 1925. Western Newspaper Union.)
BY PAUL GREY

A DELE had made up her mind. She
was going to be "fast!" In the
outer office, deserted in the late after
noon except for herself, she wiped the
tears from her eyes.
She had overheard one of the depart
ing statesmen agree with another that
she was darn little country prude,"
because she had become indignant
when he had taken her to the theater
and then tried to kiss her.
But she had made UP her mind !!
After three years in the city all she
had gained by holding to her ideals
was ridicule.
"Oh-beg pardon. IL thought
every one had gone"
Robert Donaldson, the younger
member Of the firm, stood in the door
way of his private office. She wished
1t had been anyone but him. When
ever he gave dictation, it was hard for
her to concentrate on the letters.
There was something about his easy,
confident manner.
II am leaving now, Mr.. Donaldson.
II stayed to rest a few moments"
"You do look tired, Miss Kahn Sup
pose we have dinner together, and per-
haps a ride afterwards?"
This, she knew from her experience
with the girls at the roominghouse,
was a chance to be fast" She
fought back an indignant "No, thank
you"
"Td love to CO."
It seemed to her he was both sur
prised and pleased.
Giving the chauffeur directions for
the ride, Bob, as he insisted she call
him, sank back on the cushions. Quite
accidentally, he mentioned book she
had been reading in the Office. They
discussed books-Adele forgetting the
motive Of her acceptance. Bob moved
closer to her. She instantly pushed
away, but remembering her resolution
sighed and moved back with a de-
termined expression. He looked at
her moment, then laughed.
you're funny grill"
Adele sighed. She had started
wrong-if she didn't begin to be "fast"
he'd take her home and her opportun-
ity would be gone! If they could
just have kept talking. What on earth
did people do first when they were
going to be "fast," anyway? She
leaned against his shoulder shyly.
He put his arm around her. She
did not protest, but sat straighter, re-
garding the floor intently. There was
a contented expression on his hand
some face and little smile about his
lips. If only she wasn't stenographer
and could be debutante, knowing
him without worrying about fast
nnss," she sighed.
whats the matter, child?'
Raising her head, she gave him
quick kiss with tightly compressed
lips. He held her for moment, then
released her. She was trembling
slightly. He pulled her head against
his shoulder and talked Of business
deal she had helped him make. His
quiet voice soOthed her. Later, having
kissed him several times in the same
way, she felt her success in being
fast" was making him despise her.
She couldn't keep a shamed express
sion from her face so she hid it
against his shoulder. She felt sud-
denly tired, his slow even voice lulling
her unconscious to sleep.
Bob, softly calling her name, awoke
her with start. He wasn't smiling
anymore. It must be late; he had
aroused her, perhaps, to tell her she
was almost home. She felt a pain in
her heart. She'd never see him again.
Why, why had she gone with him! 1t
would have been so much better not
to have, then, at least, she could have
seen him at the office every day. And
suddenly she admitted something she
had been desperately hiding from her
self the past year-she was in love
with Bob. She must go home quick.
She tried to tell him; tear slipped
down her cheek. He gathered her in
his arms.
ooh. Adele, will you marry me, will
you"
She looked up, frightened. Men
didn't marry "fast" girls, she had
always heard, and she had been dread
fully "fast''-but he must mean it
because he usually said things he
meant. Something was wrOng-but
she didn't care, anymore! Slipping
her arms around his neck, she raised
her eyes.
"Oh, love you, Bob"
"You always seemed so Indifferent"
he told her later, 80 well-bred among
those gum-chewing, slangy office girls.
I was piqued and terribly interested.
| knew you almost always turned
down the attentions Of the men. When
asked you this evening to come with
me, l thought / might as well be
turned down and have it over with
but I was sure when you accepted that
you must genuinely like me, else you
would have refused. You were so shy
in the car, so quantity proper-you
darling!' He kissed her and she
snuggled happily against him.