Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1938-10-27
SHORT SHORT
STORY
Comnlefa In This lssuA

evening before and thus, indirectly,
the source of this days train of
minor catastrophes. From its hid
den lair, Anne's feminine perver-
sity arose, and she shifted.
"Oh, it's you"
''Sure it's me. Who'd you sup
pose? You sound awfully disap-
pointed"
"Oh, do II"
"You certainly do. Say, what's
the matter with you? Tired?"
mo, nothing's the matter"
"Well, I'm glad Of that. Listen-I
called you up to tell you that Tom
McNair wants me to run down to
Boston with him to see the game,
Saturday, and he wants me to stay
over Sunday. Do you mind?"
He had promised to take her rid
ing Sunday and she had been look
ing forward to it all week as a
heavenly relaxation from the ever
lasting grind. She was so disap-
pointed she could have cried then
and there, but anger and pride pre-
vented, so instead she snapped:
mo, ] don't. Why should II"
She slammed the receiver on its
hook and, her anger vented, flung
her arms on the desk and, burying
her face in them, wept the tears
Of the tired, the nervous and dis
trait.
At home she prepared the eve
ming meal like an automaton, and
served it to her father, sister and
brother, eating none of it herself.
Leaving the dishes for Sissy to do,
or not to do, as she happened to see
fit, Anne Marie sought the refuge
of her bedroom and flung herself
on the bed.
A horn honked out front and by
purely reflex action Anne Marie
sprang up, then she lay down again.
Let him honk. He needn't think
she would let him in. He knew
she didn't like him to blow his horn
like that, and she was through put
ting up with things just because she
was used to them. Then the door
bell rang, but she paid no heed.
The next day was Saturday, and
half holiday. When Anne Marie
finished at noon there was the IA
miliar buff and blue car parked
out front. Some one was in it, some
one who saw her the minute she
left the building and who, springing
to meet her, caught her arm.
well, Miss Sulks, I had to stay
home from the game to see you,
but I'm going to make it worth il"
He made her get into the car and,
without giving her a chance to say
anything, chartered necessarily and
inconsequently while he started the
motor.
They drove through the traffic in
complete silence, however. When
they drove past her street thorough
indignation compelled Anne Marie
to ask in as icy a tone as she was
capable:
MAY l ask where you are taking
me?"
"You may" Calm, so madden
ingly calm Bob could be.
"Well, where?" decidedly bellig-
erent.
ITO be married, dear"
"Wh-a-a-t?"
Bob put an arm around her and
she struggled to get away.
"Win you please stop this silly
joke and take me home? I have
an appointment at two"
II know you have, sweetheart.
Didn't l make it for your" Bob had
stopped the car, and now had both
arms around her, in spite of her
none too desperate resistance.
''Now, I'll tell you all about it. In
the first place this is no joke; I'm
in deadly earnest. Secondly: you
are temperamental, accent on the
temper. Thirdly, you are working
yourself to death. Fourthly, and
most important, love YOU"
Just to show her, he kissed her
and while she was thus rendered
helpless, slipped ring on the third
finger of her left hand.
Nov, my lady, you're engaged.
In less than an hour. you'll be mar
ried."
And an thew wera