The Cairo bulletin. (Cairo, Ill.) 1???-1928, 1904-10-18
Unto the Third
Generation
ny CIcELY ALLEN
Copyright. 1907. bp VI. Wood

her ana supported her elbow with Ms
strong firm hand 1t was good t
feel his support, his presence, ever
though she had grown somewhat &C
customed To it, and she turned to hin
with a wan smile.
At the head of the first flight of stairs
they turned into Mrs. Millers little
sitting room, and Francesca dropped
YEARLY into the low rocker by the
window. Dick sat on the window
ledge swinging his feet. His hall bed
room was ON the floor above. Fran.
cescn had the room next to Mrs. Mil
ler's, but since their engagement had
been announced the good natured land
lady had rather turned her little sit
ting room over to their use.
I'm my days young folks didn't have
to do their counting In the park. and
l don't think it's right and proper,
she had said in explanation to her old
est boarder, erusty bachelor
And now the two young people sat
in the twilight, typifying the two sec
tons of the country from which they
had come-Francesca, gentle, clinging
aud dropping IN the fierce struggle for
existence in the great northern city
shrinking from the clamor of trains
overhead, the clang of surface cars at
her side and longing for the mellow
moonlight and the voice of the night
ingale IN her old southern home; Dick,
alert, quick, fascinated by the oppor-
tunities which had drawn him from
midwest farm. He had brought
nervous energy and strong, vigorous
blood. and New York loves to sap
and live Off them both. They had met
on the commercial highway and loved.
At least Dick was quite sure OF it on
his side. Tonight-well, Francesca
hardly knew what was wrong tonight
"a whole day TO ourselves tomor-
row, sweetheart" he was saying.
YES" replied Francesca bitterly.
That's what all the girls were saying
today. You'd think we were slaves
and-well. we are!'
Dick looked at her In surprise. Then
he spoke cheerily.
well. we shan't be always. Do you
know, Francesca, that little venture In
real estate is coming out ali right. |
could have sold my share today Mt
net gain of thousand. But l think
I'll hang on until we're married. and
well build on the corner lot
L,
die of loneliness through the day."
Dick eyed her anxiously.
Things go wrong at the shop? Well
never mind. Tomorrow Wen have the
whole day
Don't say that again." she COM
manded, then corrected herself quick
ly. Il mean, where shall we gol"
IF you don't mind. I'd like to take a
few flowers out TO one of the cemeter- |
les" Then. seeing the surprise in her |
face. he added hastily: Not that Eye |
any one buried around here, only ut
home on Memorial day we always |
put flowers on the soldiers graves, and |
| guess we can find plenty Of 'en |
around here Then wen 90 down to
one of the beaches on the boat. We |
won't get Off. Just take the water
ride"
Francesca's hands were clasped tight
iy over her crossed knees.
"You can do as you like. I'll never
decorate Federal soldiers grave, Dick
Merrill, never. II II hadn't been for
that war Ia not be in this dreadful.
dreadful city working-working like
slave for SIS a week. with girls who
don't know how TO dress, TO talk, to
act My people always had money, but
my grandfather was killed In your
war. My father could not regain what
the war had swept away. lie died
with the problem. and my
mother followed him with broken
heart. hate the north. even though |
had to come and ask II for bread. And
you ask me to decorate the graves Of
men who devastated my home."
II didn't think. Francesca. dear; hon
pstly didn't. You see. we've always
kept the day. My folks fought on the
other side. and then guess I'm bit
tiu ldhhloDtu. II bttiuS nhtuiul W Bo
20 the cemetery. and didn't think Of
how you might feel"
That's IT, You didn't think. You'll
never understand me-" the girl said In
ow. passionate tones. There's the
Mason and Dixon line between us.
You northern men are so different.
You're all business and dollars. You
get US southern girls up here and grind
'ur lives out"
Dick looked serious now. but he
orced smile.
IF the north had not claimed your
alents. Gear. we would never have
net" he said. and it was her cue to
often. but she did not take IT,
'Oh. hate IL. hate 1.-THE air. the
ioise. the rush. 1t has no cOmpensa-
Ions"
She did not mean 1t just that way.
nut Dick took the words literally. He
TODD up suddenly and very straight.
Il am sorry. Francesca. that you
hink ] cannot make you happy"
And when she looked up lie had left
he room so quietly that she could
ardly believe the move had been TAX