Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1926-09-22
That Little Piece
of Glass '
(Copyright.)
By DORTHEA K. WHITING

Vs\lOH duu SIluc Ill the OGCK
~ Lively, now!"
With these words a new day and a
new life had begun for Algy. Only a
short week before nothing had been
further from his mind then enlisting as
an ordinary seaman.
Blessed with q good education and
an exceptionally good physique, he
had rambled along through life, finding
1t one long sweet song. Left an Or
phan at twelve years of age, by virtue
of train wreck, he had inherited
much more money than was good for
him and, as it Is apt to be the case, the
finer points Of his character had been
corroded by the rust of Incidence.
Petted and thoroughly spoiled, his
spirit Of patriotism had lain dormant
through the most stirring times that
his country had ever known.
LET someone else do 1t" had been
his attitude. But one day little piece
OF glass had altered his whole life.
Driving his big racing car through
a little village at high speed. little
PASNC VI glass uSdlIS Sill ISdA wv u
fact which Algy took cognizance of
when he found himself sitting in a
flower garden with the windshield
wrapped around his neck.
AS he regained his feet and attempt
ed to remove his somewhat bizarre
necklace, he heard hearty chuckle
which developed into whole-hearted
laugh. He tried to assume a dgnified
attitude and. turning towarl the sound.
he became aware of an exceedingly
ornamental young woman. who was
making desperate efforts to register
an expression Of sympathy.
Every wriggle the unfortunate Algy
made, however. seemed to amuse her,
20 that her attempts at gravity were
dismal failures.
Now, no man likes being laughed at,
least Of all one who had been PAM
pered as Algy had. His attempt at
naughty Indifference was the last
straw and the girl shrieked.
Eventually, she controlled herself
long enough to assist him in Kidding
himself of his encumbrance. Then
she insisted on his coming into her
house to wash up. Aside from few
scratches, he was uninjured, and some
minutes later. with a glass Of milk
and some delicious cake as refresh
ments, he was laughing as heartily
over his recent plight as was Dorothy
Their laughter had put them more
at ease than dozen conventional calls
would have done, and they were soon
chatting away like old friends.
She was college girl, he found out,
the daughter Of a retired naval sur
geon. and her mother had been dead
for some years. He left, after an hour
or so, with cordial invitation to
come again.
Something in this wholesome girl
was very attractive to blase young
Algy and. as would be expected. he
paid court to Dorothy. But at last he
had found someone to whom neither
his money nor his social position
meant anything. Piqued beyond meas
ure at her lack of interest in him. he
redoubled his attentions, until, finally,
sitting in the vine-covered piazza in
the soft moonlight, he asked her to
marry him.
In silence she listened to him and
then: "Algy," she said, has 1t ever
occurred to you that your country Is
at war? Do you realize that the liber
ty of the world is at stake? Can you
- tyr ADnoystNQn GIRL
caring for man who spends his
time in idle amusement, while the
country which shelters him is calling
on her sons for help? When you have
done your bit come back again, Algy,
and ask me. Then, I'll give you my
hnswsE." -'----'*--'-
Algy returned home dazed. To
think any girl would refuse him! The
little chit must be out Of her senses.
Still. wasn't there something in her ar
Rument? The logical result Of this
train Of thought ended in recruiting
Office, the following morning.
Eight months later a young, uni
formed man, a sailor, turned into Dor
othy's gate. Brown as berry, with
long lean limbs, he swung along, with
q little swagger which told the world
that he belonged to fine body OF
fighting men.
Dorothy opened the door herself and
stared as though she were seeing
ghost. Slowly her gaze Travelled from
head to foot and finally rested on the
little gold chevron on the left arm.
She opened her mouth to speak, but
Algy was too quick for her.
"Well, Dorothy" he said, "rm back
for my answer, and please make 1t
snappy, dear, for have only 4S hours
liberty"
As he spoke he caught her into his
arms and from the face hidden on his
shoulder came a meek little query.
"Do l really have to answer"
you sure do. Dot Here I've gone
and 1oined the navy and got so salty
folks get thirsty from just looking at
me. Yep. III tell the world you've