Butler citizen. [volume] (Butler, Pa.) 1877-1922, 1905-03-02
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? The mirror opposite re-
minded him of his years
Yes, he 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 eatT' she beamed at him
with shining eyes. Anything, from a
nice young man TO an oyster.' Here
was the opening, sooner than he ex-
pected
Judith" he began gravely, cit is of
the young man 1 wish to speak now.
Did-did-they say 1t is young Travers?
Shall l release you2" The last, to the
ear Of the girl. seemed an anxious,
frennied appeal for freedom. So this
was what made him so gloomy, SO un-
like himself. He was tired of her. He
wanted to be free. She was pulling q
rose to pieces and fitting the petals over
her finger tips. SHAH we ring the cur
tain down on our little comedyf" he
asked in an ''it's 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-he
wanted to be free,
Judith he sand, VI shall ask only
pne favor of YOU" He hesitated
sit is granted" she returned coldly.
Perhaps l 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 hesltated through a sense of deli
eacy. "If you mind, dear," be added
gently, then dQn'tw
Did she mindf she asked herself. No;
she gloried IN the opportunity. If he
sighed for his freedom, he should have
IL. hohO WOdid hielhC iiO CAlOlL W LOltA
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-ahe 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 pc twenty-four-to be
young with her
"Shall begin at the beginningf" she
asked In weary tones. He WINGED.
NO" he replied. "That would in
clude me. Spare me that" There was
long silence. 1T Is VI young Trav-
ers, your engagement
"Until tonight" she reminded in a
dull voice, "I 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
ono OF my mothers Oldest friends. Mr..
Travers is her nephew. 1t was at one
of her receptions that met him first
Dndll lCi sOu PtNyNhiHos AANA
voice had q new ring. He thought 1t
was from speaking OF her lover.
"Your roses came just as l was start
ing" she continued "I wore the blue
dress, the one you used to like me tn
Child" he interrupted. "you DO not
understand"=
"Yes, but do" gayly. 81 remember
1t, every bit. You told me that first
night l Wore lido you remember it?-
what you whispered out here on the
gallery about my milk white arms and
shadowy hairT 1t Is pretty dress. /
wore rour roses to the reception. They
wero glorious onesv' 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 l laughed, because 1t was
such a good joke--really, Bob, he said
1t very much nicer than l can remem-
her, Then he went on to tell me that
1t was before the war he had known
me- He just graduated two years ago.
I am afraid l rather encouraged him
| In the nonsense. 1t 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 1t a
| fresh blow. She had made little pyr-
| amid Of the rose petals and was nerv-
Dusly tearing 1t 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 he
loved me-"
"The impudent young He forgot
that It was OF her lover he was speak
ing.
| "He said he couldn't help It," she
| apologized for him In world weary
accents. But they oil say that" There
was no trace of vanity In the remark.
| The red of the roses found brilliant
rivals In her cheeks "Then-then one
night" she hesitated, ut was moon
light-down on the beach-he kissed
| me-
"He kissed your the man exclaim-
I'd. How dare he-how dare your
| Don't be too hard on him." she
| pleaded. "He said something about
! men not despising a thief II he steal
| 10 satisfy his soul when he is hungry"
| Bob had risen angrily. A determined
| little hand pulled him back.
Remember" cold voice reminded,
you desired me to tell you"
Judith he reprovod sharply.
"And that wasn't ALL" and she fash
| ed defiant eyes at him. She remember
| ed how jealous he had been. Once she
laughed and asked him II he thought
| the enamored air went signing after
her too. But that was when he had
| really cared for her. Now he was try
ing TO get rid OF her. 81 had numerous
other lovers at the Springs, Bob. II
may be"-she tapped a gay little tune
with her fan-"that you might find
| them diverting. There was Dave Cary"
she assigned her little finger to him
"and Fred Langles." the next finger
| to him, both OF whom proposed to me
at the picnic on the fourth day OF July.
| Then there was Mr.. Greyner. who pro-
posed to me at the dance at Judge Bir-