The Union times. [volume] (Union, S.C.) 1894-1918, 1905-01-20
ADAM
Bp KEITH GORDON
...Copprioht. 1908. bv Frances Wilson.

The girl in the hammock laid he,
book face downward beside her, 6
faint, skeptical smile visible about he,
mouth
How do you go about itT" was the
question that her eyes asked of the RI
daant landscape. TITS all very well to
say that woman, If she have not a
hump upon her back, may marry whom
she will, but how would she go about
itr'
The scratching Of a match broke the
summer stiffness, and her meditation
were suddenly precipitated from the
general to the concrete She glanced
where mans form bulked in one of
the huge wicker chairs. With his hand
forming screen he was lighting a
fresh cigar. seemingly oblIvious to ev-
erythfng in life except that and the
Engineering Journal, which lay In his
lap.
He was her brothers best friend,
and she had known him for years, not
with much satisfaction, II must be con-
fessed, since lie was VIGOROUSLY a
mans man." living in Il mans world
and regarding the rustic of feminine
skirts with something OF the same feel
Ing that he did the humming OF mos
quito.
But he was good to look upon-so
good that sudden. quick resentment
shot through her heart ut his indilfcr-
ence. 1t assumed the likeness OF per-
sonal nffront. sort OF insult to her
sex. 1t would serve him right il some
girl would just make up her mind to
marry him and do II, too, before he
knew what he was about.
Meanwhile he had tossed away the
match md picked up the Journal again
as fmperturbably as If he were alone,
pair Of half indignant eyes watching
him with combination Of pique and
amusement
II certainly would serve him right,
her thoughts ran on, II some lady
would Just wind him round and round
her finger, make him fetch and carry
at her beck and call. reduce him to a
perfect mush Of sentiment Something
in her steady gaze caused him to move
uneasily. then look up.
did you speak"
He had the perfunctory manner OF n
person who knows he must keep guard
over himself or he will be guilty OF
some remiSSnesS. \ heroic resolution
to do his duty was visible in his face.
No. she drawled, IL didn't speak.
But IL you don't mind very much
think l will. I'd like to ask you, for
instance. II you have ever had la
dies dayT"
"A ladies' day." lie repeated help
lessly. shaking off his eyeglasses with
characteristic movement, while his
tormentor watched him as IL he had
been some sort of q specimen that she
had impaled upon pin. Then light
dawned upon him.
You mean such as they have at the
clubs-a day when the place is given
up to your sex and other matters 90
to the wall? Well, no. 1 don't know
that ever have had.''
ventured.
Possibly" he admitted, but lie still
held the Journal in way that sug-
gested well nigh unconquerable de-
sire to return to 1t. She stretched out
her hand. Reluctantly he handed 1t
over
Did It ever occur to you." she asked
blandly. that the creature who tempt
ed Adam SO successfully, who is Mt
the bottom Of everything, as it were,
must be as-as intricate as your old
engineering problemsT
II have always considered Adam
weak-very weak" was his evasive an
swer. Men aren't like that nova
days"
At these boastful words resolution
that had been taking form in her mind
became full fledged. She was inspired
with the sense Of mission Her
neglected sex should find an avengcr
in her.
You think you wouldn't have eaten
OF the apple, them"
There was new note in her voice.
1t was at the same time challenge
and an appeal.
AS II 1t were something absolutely
new II came to his mind that girls were
delicate, helpless creatures, and wave
Of tenderness for the sex swept over
him. Still he was very positive that he
wouldn't have eaten III" apple. and
something in the soft, babyish, yet de-
pendent way In which she looked at
him caused him to explain Mt great
length why.
Has talked fifteen minutes by the
clock" she was thinking in high glee,
but outwardly she was all deferentiai,
honey sweet attention.
I'm sure he wouldn't have yielded
II he'd been like you!" was her earnest
comment when he finished speaking,
and ut the words he was conscious of
pleasant expansiveness, a caressing
sense Of satisfaction as delightful as 1t
was unusual. 1t was as IL he were
growing taller, broader and more Sc