The Lee County journal. (Leesburg, Ga.) 1904-19??, 1906-11-30

sociations that clustered about the old
homestead, she could not make him.
She turned abruptly and walked away,
but not until Phil saw tear glisten-
ing in her eyes
Girls are so funny and-and-un-
reasoning, the disconnected boy re-
marked aloud.
Phil was strong minded and deter
mined in his way Once his mind
was made up, it was difficult for him
to change his point Of view. For three
years now he had been steadily drift
ing toward this important decision
He longed for the city, and wished to
make his mark in a wider field than
farming.
"Bess viii be terribly disappointed
at first" he reasoned. and she'll be
lonely the first month. But she'll
soon see the wisdom Of my way
When | can take her to the city she
will have happier time of it than
here"
Nothing further was said of his
change of plans for few days but
Phil could not fail to notice the
change in Bess's appearance. Her face
was pale and demure, and the eyes
looked as if shR. had spent sleepless
night worrying ver the matter.
Il wish she wouldn't take it so to
heart" Phil reflected more than once.
Then little irritably, Girls expect
SO much Of brothers. They want to
tie them down to their apron strings.
This sort of argument did not tend
to convince Phil Of his mistaken line
of thought
A week later he had fully made up
his mind to carry out his long cher
ished plans. One afternoon he walked
over to the old Spencer home to get
Eds city address. He would write to
his old companion and find out what
he could do for him.
The Spencer home was a tumble
down, neglected farm of some half a
dozen acres. The only one of the fam
lily, in PhiFs estimation in the past,
was Mandy; but the odds were against
her in the uphill struggle, and today
PhiPs heart beat sympathetically for
her.
She was pale and thin, and a wor-
ried expression marked her face. At
the sight of Phil she flushed and tried
to straighten out the stray locks OF
hair on her head and to arrange her
faded dress.
1--we been so busy" she apologized
that I've hardly had time to fix up
decently."
Phil laughed and tried to make her
feel at ease.
"I've come over to get Eds address
in the city," he said pleasantly, after
a few moments of conversation. 81
want to write to him
I'm not sure / have it," Mandy re-
piled, bushing deeper than before
ed has changed it several times late
ly. He doesn't seem to stay in one
place long"
1--WE always heard that they move
often in the city, Phil answered 81
suppose he's rising so rapidly that he
has to change every little while to bet
ter quarters"
Mandy tried to laugh at this sug-
gestion, but it was a poor attempt
ED is very restless" she ventured
finally. He lost his old position, you
know, and I don't know whether he
will like his new one"
mo; l didn't know he had lost the
old one" returned Phil slowly.
Yes; there was something that
that-well, Ed is very restless. I wish
he was nearer home, SO l could look
after him a little,
Il think all sisters want their BROTH
ers under their wings" replied Phil,
with a laugh ''Bess, now doesn't
want me to go to the city to work "
Are you thinking of going?" quick
ly asked Mandy Spencer.
"Yes-that is, Ed said he could get
me a position if"
Mandy dropped her sewing, and with
flushed cheeks and sparkling eyes said
Vehemently: Please don go Unen,
Phil-for Besss sake and mine"
what"
well, because-well miss you. and
then you'll be happier here. Ed is not
doing as we'll as you think, and"
I'm not so sure of that. He SEEM
ed to have plenty of money with him
last week But 7 suppose he gave il
to you for a birthday present"
Birthday present? Oh, did you re-
member that my birthday was last
week? I'm so glad. I thought"
Didn't Ed remember it?"
Mandy bent over her work and made
no reply. She was too loyal to make
any confession that would reflect upon
her brother
VVhap thew nartpd few Minutes