The Press., 1905-07-05
The Hunger of
A Mans Soul
By CAMPBELL MACLEOD

| 1t was after the play, and they We're
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. 4 young fellow
would make her happier. Once in a
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
nice young man to an Oysterw Here
was the opening. sooner than he ex-
peeted.
Judith" he began gravely, "it is of
the young man l wish to speak now.
Did-did-they say it is young Travers?
Shall release your" The last, to the
ear of the girl, seemed an anxious,
frenzied appeal for freedom. So this
was what made him so gloomy, so I'M
like himself He was tired of her. He
wanted to be free. She was pulling
rose to pieces and fitting the petals over
her finger tips. shall we ring the eur
tain down on our little comedy?' he
asked in an Its 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 said, 81 shall ask only
one favor Of YOU" He hesitated.
lit is granted she returned coldly.
Perhaps l shall have the honor of
congratulating you-also." The ''also"
was added as an afterthought.
"It is that you will tell it all to me-"
He hesitated through a sense of deli
cacy. eff you mind, dear" he added
gently, then don't"
Did she mind? she asked herself. No;
she gloried in the opportunity. If he
sighed for his freedom, he should have
1t. 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. 1t made no differ
ence-she 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 be twentyfour- be
young with her.
shall / begin at the beginningT' 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 TRAY
ers, your engagement
Until tonight" she reminded in
dull voice. 81 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
one of my mothers oldest friends. Mr.
Travers is her nephew. 1t was at one
of her receptions that 1 met him first
Shall l tell you everythingf Her
voice had a 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
Yes, but do" gayly. Il remember
it, 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 hairY 1t is pretty dress.
wore your roses to the reception. They
were glorious onesw She was leaning
on her elbows on the table, her big eyes
full of myster..
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 it was
such a good joke-really. Bob. lie said
it very much nicer than | can remem-
Der. Then he went on to tell me that
it was before the war he had known
me. He just graduated two years ago.
l am afraid 1 rather encouraged him
in the nonsense. 1t was such 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 1t a
fresh blow She had made little pyr-
amid of the rose petals and was nerv-
ously tearing it to pieces to reconstruct
1t.
"He was very nice" she continued.
I'VE 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 tmpudent 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 all 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, at was moon
light down on the beach-he kissed
me-
'He kissed you?" the man exclaim-
ed How dare he-how dare your
Don't be too hard on him." she
pleaded. He said something about
men not desplsing a thief If he steal
to satisfy his soul when he is hungry.''t
Bob had risen angrily A determined
little hand pulled him. back. - q.
Remember" a cold voice reminded,
you desired me to tell you"
Judith he reproved 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 If he thought 4
the enamoredc aff 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. Il had numerous
other lovorS af tho SprinUS Roh If