The Bamberg herald. [volume] (Bamberg, S.C.) 1891-1972, 1905-01-05
Unto the Third
Generation
By CICELY ALLEN
Copartoht, 1901, bu II. Wood


feel his support his presence, even
though she had grown somewhat ac-
customed to it, and she turned to him
with a wan smile.
At the head Of the first fight Of stairs
they turned into Mrs. Millers 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. NIL
lers, but since their engagement had
been announced the good natured land
lady had rather turned her little sit-
ting room over to their use.
I'm my days young folks didn't have
to do their courting in the park, and
I don't think it's right and proper" I"
she had said in explanation to her old
est boarler, crusty bachelor.
And now the two young people sat
in the twilight, typifytng the two sec
tions Of the country from which they
had come-Francesca, gentle, clinging
and dropping in the fierce struggle for
existence in the great northern city,
shrinking from the clamor of trains
overhead, the clang Of surface cars 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
q midwest farm. He had brought
nervous energy and strong, vigorous
blood, and New York loves to sap
and live of 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.
ga whole day to ourselves tomor-
row, sweetheart" he was saying.
EYES," replied Francesca bitterly.
'aThat's what all the girls were saying
today. You'd think we were slaves
and-WeH, we are.
Dick looked at her in surprise. Then
he spoke cheerily.
'sWell, 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 thousand. But think
I'll hang on until we're married, and
well build on the corner lot"
"And you'll be a commuter, and I'll
die of loneliness through the day."
Dick eyed her anxiously.
'aThings go wrong at the shop! Well,
never mind. Tomorrow Wen have the
whole day
Don't say that again." she COM
manded, then corrected herself quick
". 81 mean, where shall we gow
IF you don't mind, I'd Ike to take a
few flowers ont 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
/ guess we can find plenty of. 'em
around here. Then we'll go 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
" over her. crossed knees.
''You can do as you like. I'll never
decorate Federal soldiers grave, Dick
Merrill, never! II 1t hadn't been for
that war I'd not be in this dreadful,
dreadful city working-working Ike
slave for SIS a 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. My 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 it for bread. And
you ask me to decorate the graves OF
men who devastated my home"
II didn't think, Francesca, dear; hon.
estly I 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. It seems natural to go
to the cemetery, and I didn't think OF
how you might feel"
'That's 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
soften, but she did not take It.
"Oh, hate it! ! hate 1.-THE air, the
noise, the rush! It has no compensa-
tons."
She did not mean it just that way,
but Dick took the words literally. he
stood up suddenly and very straight.
IT am sorry, Francesca, that you
think cannot make you happy"