Worcester Democrat and the ledger-enterprise. (Pocomoke City, Md.) 1921-1953, 1926-05-08
Conventions
and Clarice
ICopyriEht.)
By RUBY DOUGLAS


daughter to the big political conven-
ton, the daughter, at least, was rar
from thrilled at the idea.
But. father" she began, trying 70
seem appreciative and yet unable to
hide her real lack of interest, won't
we be q great nuisance to you In the
city? Mother, Of course, might not
be, but what can you possibly do with
met"
Her father laughed. He was dele
gate from his district.
Never you mind what I'll do with
you, son." he said. He had always
called her "son" because he had ex-
pected her to be q son.
So Carice had waited-and now
she was seeing" There was no dele
gate nor spectator, guard or newspa-
per reporter more absorbed In the
daily sessions Of the national conven-
ton than was this Western girl VINO
had been dragged hither by her dele
gate father. From the moment that
the great tanning mob had stood up
to sing up to the present moment
when the convention found itself hope
lessly deadlocked with most people
bored to extinction. Clarice had ex.
perienced q constant thrill.
eff you and your mother would like
to 70 on home" her father had be-
gun one morning while things were
apparently hopeless as to progress In
nominating.
"Home?" cried Clarice. "Why, ia
ther-nothing would drag me away
until our man Is nominated. never
was 80 excited in my life. wouldn't
have missed It for worlds. Dear old
daddy, you do know what I'd like
better than I know myself"
II know one thing that perhaps you
think I don't know. son." he said.
pointedly.
Clarice blushed. "YesT
Her father nodded. ~ know that
the young man delegate from Geor-
xia has not lost much time in trying
to affiliate with certain members at
tached to the Iowa delegation"
"Oh-Mr. Macdonald? We have
seen a good deal Of him. haven't weT
Clarice asked naively.
Clarice became so excited at the
balloting that night In the great con-
vention hall when the deadlock final
" broke and 1t looked as II perhaps
q nomination might be made, that she
was wonderfully beautiful. Her cheeks
were burning with enthusiasm; her
eyes sparkled: her very being was
radiant with Joy at the prospective
success Of their favored candidate.
Her seat vas next to the seats al
iotted to the Georgia delegation. and
George Macdonald always made 1t q
point to get the chair next to hers.
Tonight he watched her with 40 much
wonder In his eyes that he almost for
got that they were at very important
moment in the convention. For the
young SOutherner had fallen COM
pletely in love with Clarlce Cummings
of Iowa. He was sure that no one
more beautiful ever lived. and he
chaffed under the restraint that had
kept him from telling her so.
Suddenly, in the midst Of cheering
and deafening noises, music, shouting
and waving Of banners for the candi'
date who had at last won nomination.
Clarice sank back in her chair.
Macdonald Of Georgia was quick to
notice this.
"What is 1t. Miss Cummings?" he
asked anxiOusly.
Clarice tried to regain her normal
attitude. "Oh-I-it just occurred to
me what-what It all MEANS" she
said ambiguously.
"You mean" No one could hear
them.
IT mean-we must 60 home-now,' .
said Clarlce.
The man looked at her. What could
she mean? Could II he possible that
that It mattered to her that she
would have to he separated from him!
Clarice had recovered. She had
been 80 intensely interested that when
the thought Of It's all being over had
occurred to her she had, perhaps. been
a trifle too reactive.
It was her father. speaking to them
that really reused Clarice. "Come
over to the hotel when you can gel
out. Won't you join usf" to the
young Georgian.
81 should think would" said Mac
donald quickly.
And while all the others were hav
ing supper and talking Of candidates
and conventions. Clarice and the
member from Georgia had sought the
iron balcony at the hotel.
'Ts 1t too soon for me to tell yor
that you are the most beautiful CIR
I have ever looked at and that love
your"
Clarice did not answer. II realize
that | should wait-that shoulC
write to you and come to see you ant
WOO you as you deserve to be wooed