Lexington gazette. [volume] (Lexington, Va.) 1871-1962, 1905-03-08
Unto the Third
Generation
BY cICELY ALLEN
Copyright, 1901. bp NJ. Wood

strong, firm hand. 1t was good to
feel his support, his presence, even
though she had grown somewhat ac-
customed to it, and she turned to him
with 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
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.
"In my days young folks didn't have
to do their counting in the park, and
don't think it's right and proper"
she had said in explanation to her old
est boarder, a crusty 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
and 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 1t on
his side. Tonight-well. Francesca
hardly knew what was wrong tonight.
"a whole day to ourselves tomor-
row, sweetheart" he was saying.
EYES," 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. l
could have sold my share today at
net gain of a thousand. But ! think
I'll hang on until we're married, and
we'll build on the corner lot"
"And you'll be commuter, and I'll
die of loneliness through the day"
Dick eyed her anxiously.
"Things go wrong at the shop? Well,
never mind. Tomorrow we'll have the
whole day
Don't say that again." she COM
manded, then corrected herself quick
Iy. II mean, where shall we go?"
IF you don't mind, I'd like to take q
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
l guess we can find plenty Of 'em
around here. Then We'll go 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 |
" over her crossed knees.
"You can do as you like. I'll never
decorate Federal soldiers grave, Dick |
Merrill, never. II 1t hadn't been for
that war I'd not be In this dreadful, |
dreadful city mountaineering like a
slave for SIS 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. He died |
with the problem, and my |
mother followed him with a broken
heart. l hate the north, even though
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.
estly I didn't. You see, we've always
Kept the day. My folks fought on the
,ther side, and then guess I'm a bit
Did fashioned. 1t seems natural to go
10 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 80 different
You're all business and dollars. You
get us southern girls up here and grind
our lives out"
Dick looked serious now, but he
forced a smile.
"If the north had not claimed your
talents, dear, we would never have
met" he said, and it was her cue to
soften, but she did not take 1t.
"Oh, I hate it! hate 1.-THE air, the
noise, the rush! 1t has no compensa-
IONS"
She did not mean 1t Just that way,
Dut Dick took the words literally. He
stood up suddenly and very straight.
81 am sorry, Francesca, that you
.hink cannot make you happy"
And when she looked up he had left
he room 30 quietly that she could
hardly believe the move had been TAX
m by vigorous, stalwart Dick Merrill.
She did not come down to breakfast
he next morning, and when Mrs. MIL
er appeared at her bedside with cup
If coffee and some golden brown toast
he sound Of muffied drums In the dis
ance told her that the parade was In
notion.
"Dear me. SUI. but the house seems
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