Butler citizen. [volume] (Butler, Pa.) 1877-1922, 1905-04-06
Unto tEae Third
Generation
BY CICELY ALLEN
Coygf:.h'. 49,. b. u. Iyold

reel Ills SlDliOAl. III, lf4tof.iN'r -
though she had grown somewhat ae-
customed to it. and she turned to him
with wan smile.
At the head of the first fight of stairs
they turned into Mrs. Miller's little
sitting room, and Francesca dropped
wearily 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 courting 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
tions of the country from which they
had come-Francesca, gentle, cllnglng
and dropping in the fierce struggle for
existence in the great northern city,
shrinking from the clamor of trains
overhead, the clang of surface ears 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
n 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 it on
his side. Tonight-well, 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, we arer'
Dick looked at her in surprise. Then
lie spoke cheeriy.
well. we shan't be always. Do you
know, Francesca, that little venture in
real estate is coming out all right.
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 a 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
ly. Il mean, where shall we goT'
'If you don't mind, I'd like to take a
few flowers out to one of the cemeter-
les. Then, seeing the surprise in her
face, he added hastily: "Not 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 so 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
ly over her crossed knees,
'You can do as you like. I'll never
decorate Federal soldiers grave Dick
Merrill, never! If it hadn't been for
that war I'd not be in this dreadful,
dreadful city working-working like
slave for SIS q 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. Ny 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 |
had to come and ask 1t for bread. And
you ask me to decorate the graves of
men who devastated my homer
II didn't think, Francesca, dear; hon
estly | didn't You see, we've always
kept the day. My folks fought on the
other side, and then | guess I'm bit
old fashioned. 1t seems natural to go
to the cemetery, and | didn't think of
how you might feel"
"Thats 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 so 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 smile.
IF the north had not claimed your
talents, dear, we would never have
met" he said, and it was her cue to
t.,I-,
"Oh, hate it! hate 1.-THE air, the
noise, the rush. 1t has no conpensa-
tions."
She dij not mean it just that way,
but Dick took the words literally He
stood up suddenly and very straight.
"I am sorry, Francesca, that you
think cannot make you happy"
And when she looked up he had left
the room so quietly that she could
hardly believe the move had been TAX
en- by vigorous, stalwart Dick Merrill.
She did not come down to breakfast
| the next morning, and when Mrs. Mil
| Ter appeared at her bedside with q cup
Of coffee and some golden brown toast
tilc SOuHh Vi ullS IA lllt uiS-
tance told her that the parade was in
| motion.
Dear me, SUI, but the house seems
| quleti Its funny how all New York
| does make the most of a holiday. Mr.
/ Merrill said you weren't feeling WELL
| but / think 1t would have done you
| good to go out"
| Francesca slipped at her ceffce with
out replying,
"Seems as II l Just must go myself,
| but Lizzie, she was set on taking the
| day Off, and she's such a good help l
| didn't want to cross her, but / do hate
| to miss going to the cemetery. Isn't
| 1t funny, Mr.. Merrill and ! coming
| from the same town. knew just how
he felt this meraing when he said
| hg'a 20 cut and decorate some graves
| We always did it at home, with the
| G. A. r. at the head Of the procession
and the children carrying the flowers
| and wreaths. / didn't lose anybody
close in the war, as near as l can re-
member, but it meant a lot to Dick
Merrills folks"
Francesca looked up suddenly.
"Ain't he ever told your Mrs. Miller
said in surprise. "Well, mebbe he
1 thouuht tba xyar xuoc a tonAar ouhiaof