The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1905-09-27

Cured to him that it was little odd
that she could plan to spend any extent
of time there, even if she had liked
Minnie Briscoe at school. he felt that
! she must have been sheltered and pet
| ted and waited on all her life. One
could not help yearning to wait on her
He answered inarticulately, "Oh.
some day" in reply to her question and
then fell into outright laughter.
u might have known you wouldn't
take me seriously" she said. with no
indignation. only sort Of wistfulness.
Il am well used to it think it is be-
cause am not tall. People take big
girls with more gravity. Big people
are nearly always listened to-
Listened to.'' he said, and felt that
he must throw himself at her feet
You oughtn't to mind being Titania.
She was listened to. YOU
She sprang to her feet. and her eyes
flashed. do you think personal COM
nlent is ever in good taste?' she cried
Gcrcely. and in his surprise he almost
feil OF the bench. ''If there is one
thing cannot bear, it is to be told that
/ am .small" am not. Every one who
isi't a giantess isn't small detest
personalities. l am a great deal ever
five feet, great deal more than that
p
Please, please" he said, ''I didn't
Don't say you are sorry she inter
rupted. and in spite Of his contritio2
he found her angry voice delicious. it
was still so sweet, hot with indigna-
ton. but ringing, not harsh. Don't
say you didn't mean it, because you
did! You can't unsay it, you cannot
alter it, and this is the way l must re-
member you! Ahr' She drew in her
breath with a sharp sigh and. cover
ing her face with her hands, sank back
upon the bench. 81 will not cry" she
said, not so firmly as she thought she
did.
my blessed childp' ne cried in great
distress and perturbation. What have
l done? I-T"-
"Call me small all you like" she
answered. ST don't care. 1t isn't that.
You mustn't think me such an I'M
becile." She dropped her hands from
her face and shook the tears from her
eyes with a mournful little laugh. He
saw that her fingers were clinched
tightly and her lip trembled. Il will
not cry" she said again.
Somebody ought to murder me. !
ought to have thought-personalities
are hiCeous''-
Don't! It wasn't that"
81 ought to be shot
"Ah. please don't say that" she said,
shuddering. please don't, not even as
a joke. after last nightr'
But l ough. to be for hurting you.
ndeed"-
She laughed sadly again 1T wasn't
ihat. don't care what you call me.
ON small. You'll try to forgive me for
being such baby? didn't mean any
thing said. haven't acted so badly
since was a child
Its my fault, all Of it. I've tired
you out, and l let you get crushed al
the circus. and
.>rhat,w she said II don't think i
would have missed the circus
He had a thrilling hope that sh.,
meant the tent pole. She looked as Il
she meant that. but he dared rot lei
himself believe it.
No he continued. ''I have been Sc
madly happy in being with you that
I've fairly worn out your patience. I've
haunted you all day. and have
..All that has nothing to do with IL
she said. with u gentle motion of be-:
hand to bid him listen. Just after y'o;;'
left this afternoon l found that coca
not stay here My people are goin-
abroad at once. and must go Will
them. That's what is almost MAXIM
re cry. leave here tomorrow morn
ing
He felt something strike at his heart
| i, thn S.dden sense CT dearth he E2G
! 70 $50. :sh.nent that she Should be
FAY such aSlt3(lOI over NeI u>P''i '"i'
ON a place She had known so ht'''
! md friends who certainly We're no
..r: O: her life. He rose to his fee.
md. resting his arm against q syci
Lore. stood staring away from her
.c.,irc. She did act move. iEere
:. long silence. BE had wakene!
s>,.;. ,niy. The skies had been sa..
,h::, :he swarl emerald. Plattv:Ne {"
s.::.:..ot of romance. a city of eneean
.;;.i.. and now. like d meteor baTnE 4
.at in !, breath. the necromancy fe.
away ard he gazed into desolate years
Tie thought Of TIE square. bis DUST
5sfice. the bleak length Of Main street.
as they would appear tomorrow gay"
hin u faint physical sickness. Ioda!
4 had ali been touched to beauty H,'
lid felt ft to live and work here Il
thousand years--a fools dream. anu
lie waking was to arid emptiness. re
>..:c.ld de now of hunger and thirst II
.:l:s Sa,i.ara. He hoped the fates would
IL Al