Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1931-05-29
Anne Was Always
Overlooked
BY RUBY DOUGLAS

(@. 1881. Mcclure Newspaper syndicats.l
(WNU Service.)
A NNE was not exactly Cinderella
"A In the Owen family of girls but
she was the most unselfish of the quar-
tette and was. therefore, frequently to
be found at home while the others
were enjoying themselves at this d.
version or that
The old Owen homestead lay few
miles out of town and it was a good
many years since Mr. owen had con-
tributed anything to the family in
come. He considered his work done
when he sold out his business to
far-seeing buyer and had little realized
that to bring up four daughters would
take steadily increasing income In
stead Of a waning one.
But with two girls teaching nearby
and Grace in the county clerks office
in town they managed to live well.
Anne was at home all day with the
mother and, much as She would have
liked to 60 out to find employment
that would make her more independ-
ent. 1t was agreed In family counsel
that she WIS needed at home. AS q
consequence. 1t was Anne who had the
fewest clothes: Anne who was invited
out least often; Anne who did this and
that when the others were too busy
making their own way or having 4
good time.
Tha ft.lC hod uorinrc fPtoDdO
that came and went but none had as
sumed a serious turn toward matrl-
mOny. For. to give the young women
their due. they were not in a hurry
to leave the old home with a man
who was just man.
When the extensive new road
building In the county began, there
happened. among the score of over
seers, workers. foremen and engineers,
to be young man Of unusual person.
ality. His name was John Haven.
He took up residence in the town at
the old-fashloned boarding house
known as The Place and 1t was not
long before he was deluged with invi-
tations to this hop and that party and
all the gatherings Of the young folks
In the community. He danced well:
he was good to look att he played
tennis and golf and made himself gen.
orally agreeable.
At the subscription dances held In
the NeiglborhOOd house he was a reg
ular patron and he showed no par
TALLY among the girls. One night
he was dancing with Grace Owen and
he asked her. much to her surprise, II
she had a sister, Anne.
"Why-yes," admitted Grace, readily.
doesn't she dancer" he asked.
"She doesn't go out very much. She
would rather read." Grace told him.
Anne next day was called to the
telephone.
"Hello," she called.
The voice over the wire had IA
miliar ring. And yet 1t was three
years since she had heard lt--and
then not on the telephone.
It was John Haven. He was re-
minding her that during his college
vacation he had been In charge Of q
book caravan that had visited the
Owen homestead frequently and she,
Anne, had taken several volumes from
him.
"That is why l came back to this
section to take charge Of this end Of
the road building. am an engineer,
now, and do not need to peddle books
to pay my way through college," he
was telling her. "But-may come
to see your have met your sisters
but always, when I have looked over
those who were at the parties and
dances, you have been missing. l have
been fearful lest you had-married."
"Oh-no!" cried Anne. II am still
the quiet one Of the family who re-
mains in the chimney corner to read"
"You do not answer my question as
TO whether or not l may come to see
you"
Anne hesitated. She did not know
why Perhaps II was feminine in
stinct that made her seem not too
eager.
tS, SIZE NJ iuSts Dut
won't you do this?"
Anything" he assured her, inter
rupting in his eagerness.
"Come to see me some night when
you have seen my three sisters ut
dance-they're always there. Mother
and father will have gone to bed and
I shall be waiting for you. It will
seem mOre-mOre like the old days
when we used to spend an hour to-
gether talking books"
It was less than a week later that
he went to the usual dance and found
the three Owen sisters dancing aB
usual. He danced with one Of them
and disappeared. without word to
anyone.
Anne awaited him by the fire In the
big stone fireplace and they sat to-
pether under the lamp as they had
sat side by side on the porch three
years ago, turning pages Of books.
Anne was prettler than ever, In his
eyes. and he wan; I'd to tell her So
Something in her reserved manner
kent him silent and It was not until
he had kept several trysts with her
that he began to show her his love.
"One Of the Owen girls is going to
he married" said the town gossip. the
following June.
(which one" was asked.
1Oh-only Anne" was the answer.