Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1905-04-15
The Hunger of
A Mans Soul
By CAMPBELL MACLEOD

WdltinR Ill the uuitt llltie care 10 DE
served. She leaned over To draw I'm the
fragrance of the red roses and 10 avoid
his eyes. which We're persistent lie
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. A 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 eaty she beamed Mt him
with shining eyes. Anything. from n
nice young man to an oysterv' Here
was the opening. sooner than he ex-
pected.
Judith" he began gravely. 1T is of
the young man wish to speak now
Did-did- say II is young Travers ?
Shall release you?" 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 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 I'm 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, Il shall ask only
one favor of you" He hesitated.
1T is granted" she returned coldly.
perhaps | shall have the honor of
congratulating you-also." The "also"
was added as an afterthought.
EFT is that you will tell it all to me-"
He hesitated through a 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. If he
sighed for his freedom he should have
II. 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 twenty four-to be
young with her
''Shall begin Mt the beginning?" she
asked in weary tones. He WINGED.
NO" he replied. THAT would in
clude me. Spare me that" There was
long silence. EFT is of young Tray
ers, your engagement
Until tonight" she reminded In a
dull voice. II 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. II was ut one
Of her receptions that I met him first.
Shall l tell you everything" Her
voice had a new ring. He thought 1t
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 l do" gayly. Il remember
Il, every bit You told me that first
night 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. l
wore your roses to the reception. They
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 for n
long, long time and waiting for me
to come. because his hands were tied.
as II were. and he couldn't come after
me. Then l laughed. because ii was
such n good joke-really. Bob. he said
II very much nicer than l can remem-
Der. Then he went on 10 tell me that
II was before the war lie had known
me- He just graduated two years ago.
am afraid / rather encouraged him
In the nonsense. II was such relief
from talking to the women, and | can't
help being silly. you know, Bob" His
heart felt old and musty and failed
and her every word was giving II a
fresh blow. She had made little pyr
amid of the rose petals and was merry
ously tearing 1t TO pieces to reconstruct
It.
"He was very nice" she continued
1--WE went back to sit on the stairs Il
listen to the music. That was the be
ginning. He came next day for me e
drive with him and told me that HI
loved me-"
THE impudent young" He forgo
mat 1t 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" Their,