The Wisconsin tobacco reporter. (Edgerton, Wis.) 1877-1950, 1905-02-24
The Hunger OF
A Mans Soul
By CAMPBELL MACLEOD

1t was after the play, and they were
waiting in the quiet little cafe to be
served. She leaned over to draw in the
fragrance of the red roses and to avoid
his eyes, which were persistent. He
was thinking of how young and lovely
she was. How could he expect her to
love him? Tie mirror opposite re-
minded him of his years.
Yes, lie would tell her-save her all
| painful explanations. A young fellow
would make her happier. Once in
burst of girlish confidence she had told
him how she hated young men and new
houses. 1t was childish Of him, he told
himself. to expect her to know her own
mind
What can eat?' she beamed at him
with shining eyes. Anything, from q
nice young man to an oyster.' Here
was the opening, sooner than he ex-
pected.
Judith he began gravely, sit is of
the young man | wish to speak now.
-did-they say it is young Travers?
Shall | release yOu?" The last, to the
ear OF the girl, seemed an anxious,
frenzied appeal for freedom So this
was what made linn so gloomy, so I'M
like himself. He was tired of her. He
wanted to be free. She was pulling a
| rose to pieces and fitting the petals over
her finger tips. 'Shall we ring the cur
tain down on our little comedy?" he
asked in an cts all for the BEST tone.
She nodded slowly. She was beginning
| to see more clearly every minute, just
as ones eyes grow accustomed to dark
ness after the first bewilderment--h
wanted to be free
Judith" he said, Il shall ask only
one favor of you" He hesitated.
1T is granted" she returned coldly.
Perhaps | shall have the honor Of
congratulating you-also." The ''also"
was added as an afterthought.
1T is that you will tell it all to me-
He hesitated through a sense Of deli
cacy. IF you mind, dear" he added
gently, then don'tv'
Did she mind? she asked herself. No;
she gloried in the opportunity. If he
sighed for his freedom, he should have
it. She would make no effort to hold
him. but he should understand before
she let him go that other men thought
her desirable. Then he could go with
his freedom, and she would marry any
one of the others. 1t made no differ
ence-she would take the one who next
asked her She was eighteen and in
finitely young. The middle aged man
opposite felt that he would barter his
immortal soul to be twenty four-to be
young with her
'.Shall begin at the beginning?" she
asked in weary tones. He WINGED.
mo" The replied. 'That would in
clude me- Spare me that There was
a long silence. ''It is Of young Trav-
ers, your engagement
Until tonight" she reminded in a
dull voice, Il was engaged to you.
But Her voice stuck. He was
waiting for her to begin.
Mrs. Carr from New Orleans, was
at the Springs" she began. '.She is
one of my mothers oldest friends. Mr..
Travers is her nephew. It was at one
of her receptions that l met him first.
Shall l tell you everything" Her
voice had a new ring. He thought 1t
was from speaking Of her lover.
"Your roses came just as l was start
ing" she continued. Il wore the blue
dress, the one you used to like me I'M
Child" he interrupted. you do not
understand
"Yes, but do" gayly. Il remember
it, every bit You told me that first
night wore lido you remember it,
what you whispered out here on the
gallery about my milk white arms and
shadowy hair? 1t is pretty dress. l
wore your roses to the reception. They
were glorious Ones!' She was leaning
on her elbows on the table, her big eyes
full Of mystery.
when Mrs. Carr presented Mr..
Travers," she proceeded, ''he told me
that he had been knowing me for
long, long time and waiting for me
to come. because his hands were tied,
as it were. and he couldn't come after
me- Then | laughed, because it was
such a good joke-really, Bob, he said
it very much nicer than l can remem-
Der. Then he went on to tell me that
it was before the war he had known
me. He just graduated two years ago.
/ am afraid / rather encouraged him
in the nonsense. It was such relief
from talking to the women, and | can't
help being silly, you know, Bob" His
heart felt old and musty and failed,
and her every word was giving it a
fresh blow She had made a little pyr-
amid of the rose petals and was nerv-
ously tearing it to pieces to reconstruct
1t.
''He was very NICE" she continued.
1--WE went back to sit on the stairs to
listen to the music That was the be-
ginning He came next day for me to
drive with him and told me that be
loved me-
THE impudent young He forgot
that it was Of her lover he was speak