Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1904-12-16
ROCKVILLE MARYLAND. MORNING, DECEMBER l6 1904
Unto the Third
Generation
By CICBLY ALLEN
COPYRIGHT, 1901, bu M. Wood
By CICBLY ALLEN



dragging steps. Dick caught up with
her and supported her elbow with his
strong, Arm hand. 1t was good to
feel his support, his presence. even
though she had grown somewhat 40
customed to 1t, and she turned to him
with a wan smile.
At the head Of the first flight of stairs
they turned into Mrs. Miller's 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
cesca had the room next to Mrs. MIL
lers, but since their engagement had
been announced the good natured land
lady had rather turned her little sit
ting room over to their use.
"In 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, crusty bachelor.
And now the two young people sat
in the twilight typifying the two sec
lions of the country from which they
had come-grancesca gentle, clinging
and dropping I'm 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
a midwest farm. He had brought
nervous energy and strong. vigorous
blood. and New York loves to sap
and live of them both. They had met
on the commercial highway and loved. 4
AT least Dick was quite sure OF IL ON
bis side. Tonight-weli. 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 wa arer"
Dick looked Mt her In surprise. Then
he smoke cheerily.
''XVau we shan't be aIwaya. DO YOU
know, Francesca, that little venture In
real estate Is coming out all right. /
could have sold my share today at a
net gain OF a thousand. But think
I'll hang on until we're married, and
well build ON the corner lot"
"And you'll be a commuteT, aid ri
die of loneliness through the day"
Dick eyed her anxiously.
"Things go wrong at tho Bhopf Well,
never mind. Tomorrow well have the
whole day
Don't say that again." she com
manded, then corrected herself quick
ly. 81 mean, where shall we goT
IF you don't mind, I'd like TO take
few flowers out to one OF the cemeter-
les" Then, seeing the surprise in her
face, he added hastily: mot that I've
any one buried around here, only at
home on Memorial day we always
put flowers on the soldiers graves and
! guess we can find plenty Of 'em
around here. Then well go down TO
one Of the beaches on the boat We
won't get off. Just take the water
ride"
Francesca'a hands were cIasuod tight
Iy over her crossed knees.
"You can do as you like. I'll never
decorate n Federal aoldjer'a grave Dick
Merrill. neyerl IF IL hadn't been for
that war ia not be In this dreadful,
dreadful city working working like a
slave for SIS a week. with girls who
don't know how To dress. to talk, to
act NV people ALWAYS had money. but
my grandfather was killed in your
war. NV father could not regain what
the war had swept away. He died
struggling with the problem, and my
mother followed him with broken
heart. | hate the north. even though 1
had to come and ask 1t for bread. And
YOU ask me to decorate the graves OF
men who devastated my homer
81 didn't think, Francesca, dear; hon
estIy I didn't. You SEQ. we've always
kept the day. My folks fought on the
other side. and then I guess I'm a bit
old fashioned. II seems natural 10 20
10 IDt cemetery, anu ] Lullh VI
how you might feel
That's IT. You didn't think. You'll
never understand me-" the girl said In
low, passionate tones. There's the
Mason and Dixon line between us
You northern men are no different
You're all business and dollars You
get us southern girls up here ana grind
our lives out"
DICK looked serious now, but he
Forced smile.
III the north had not cinimed your
talents, dear, we would never have
met ne balu' ana IL was ner cue !"
soften but she did not take IT,
on' i nate II! J. hats it-ths ar the
noise, the rush! IL mas no compensn'
tons"
bhe oid not mean II Just that way
out Dich TOOK the words literally he
stood up suddenly and very straight
am sorry' francesca, that you
hlhk cannot make you hnppy.
Ana when bh0 looked up ne had lett