The Bamberg herald. [volume] (Bamberg, S.C.) 1891-1972, 1905-02-02
The Hunger of
A Mans Soul
By CAMPBELL MACLEOD

: By CAMPBELL MACLEOD s
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
It 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 BE
was thinking Of bow young and lovely
she was. How could he expect her to
love him7 The mirror opposite re-
minded him Of bis pears.
Yes, be would tell her-save. her all
painful explanations. A young fellow
would make her happier. Once in a
burst Of giriish confidence she had told
him how she hated young men and new
houses. It was childish Of him, he told
himself, to expect her to know her own
mind.
What can eatr' she beamed at him
with shining eyes. Anything, from a
nice young man to an oystefT Here
was the opening, sooner than be ex-
pected.
judith" he began gravely, 1T is Of
the young man I wish to speak now.
Did-dh- they say It Is young Travers1
Shall release your" The last, to the
ear Of the girl, seemed an anxious,
frenxied appeal for freedom. So this
was what made him 30 gloomy. 50 un-
like himself. He was tired Of her. He
wanted to be free. She was pulling a
rose to pieces and fitting the petals over
her finger tips. "Shall we ring the cur
tain down on our little comedy" he
asked in an '1ts all for the best'' tone.
She nodded slowly. She was beginning
to see more clearly every minute, Just
az ones eyes grow accustomed to dark
ness after the first bewilderment-he
wanted to be free.
Judith" he said, II shall ask only
one favor Of you" He hesitated.
1T Is granted" she returned coldly.
perhaps I shall have the honor Of
coogratulating ou-also." The "also"
was added as an afterthought.
TT is that you win tell it all to me-"
He hesitated through sense Of deli
cacy., IF you mind, dear" he added
gently, then don't!' -
Did she mind? she asked herself. No;
she gloried In the opportunity. II he
sighed for his freedom, he should have
It. She would make no effort to hold
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. It made no d1her-
ence-she would take the one who next
asked her. She was eighteen and In
flnttely young. The middle aged man
opposite felt that, he would barter his
immortal soul to be twenty -four-to be
young with her.
"shall begin at the beg1nningT she
asked in weary tones. He WINGED
NO" he replied. @That would In
clude me. Spare me that" There was
a long silence. 1T Is Of young Trav-
ers, your engagement
until tonight" she reminded in a
dull voice, IT 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. MI.
Travers Is her nephew. It was at one
Of her receptions that met him first
Shall I tell you everythingp Her
voice had new ring. He thought It
was from speaking Of her lover.
"Your roses came Just as was start
ing." she continued. II wore the blue
dress the one you used to like me in
.Child," he interrupted "you do not
understand
Eyes, but do" gayly. II remember
It every bit. You told me that first
night wore lido you remember III
what you whispered out here on the
gallery about my milk white arms ana
shadowy hairT 1t is pretty dress.
WOxS YOUI fUSeo W SAo ASSSPse~~es >"~'S
were glorious onesr' 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 TOR q
long, long time and waiting for me
to come, because his hands were ted,
as it were, and he couldn't come after
me. Then 1 laughed, because It was
such a good joke-really, Bob, be said
It very much nicer than can remem-
Der. Then be went on to tell me that
It was uefore the war he had known
me. He just graduated two years ago.
I am afraid I rather encouraged him
in the nonsense It was such a relief
from talking to the women, and l can't
help being silly, you know, Bob" his
heart felt old and musty and failed,
and her every word was giving It q
fresh blow. She had made a little PVT