The Roswell daily record. [volume] (Roswell, N.M.) 1903-current, 1906-11-17
The Counfry
/" Anywhere

A(SPS A6hI 40V4s Oy RlcharQ Is. Shelton
1t was the regulation suburban We
randa. broad, cool. immaculate. Before
1t was he regulation plot of freshly
clipped lawn, bisected by a path the
edges of which were geometricalIy pre-.
else. A few rods up the street far
enough away to be unobtrusive, yet
near enough to furnish just the right
amount of light, was the regulation
street lamp. Even the regulation sub
about and were duly cursed and slaugh-
tered.
Hardwick, stretched comfortably In
a steamer chair, blew smoke rings
thoughtfully In the still air. Vanetia,
seated near by In a low rocker, idly
traced the shadow of the vine with the
toe of a little shoe.
In the house across the street the
long windows on the lower floor were
wide open. Through the stiffness Of
the night came floating the tinkle of a
piano and a masculine voice singing
snatches of Tosti and Nevins.
Hardwick moved ~uneasily in his
chair.
Hang it," he burst out suddenly.
ct wish it had rained tonight!"
The girl eyed him ~curiously.
at would have been easier for o
! suppose" she observed.
Infinitely" said he. This sort of
thing gets hold of a man-this quiet
and peace and eminent responsibility.
He ave under a disadvantage. He's
homesick before be starts"
And yet you are going back there
tomorrow" said.
Eyes," he returned bitterly, TIL go
back tomorrow to my railroad and my
niggers-and my inconsistencies"
"And forget all about US up here aft,
er a week or so" she said lightly, "for-
get US 81 completely 0 Won yer
write us a line"
81 wish might forget" ne said fer
vently.
why ?" she asked.
WELL" said he, "for one thing It.
simplifes matters. Down there, when
you think about people you know, II
o very unhappy. You get to
imagining all sorts of things"
For instance" h prompted as IA
paused.
LET'S make 1t personal" he suggest
when I think of you. l imagine
you married to some nice, respectable
suburbanite who comes put every night
on the 5:13 and finds you waiting for
him and a fire burning in the hall fire.
place and dinner ready in the cozy din
ing room and
The girl interrupted him with q
hooking laugh.
1.-The nice, respectable s~uburban1te
hasn't doomed o n the horizon as yet
she said.
Nevertheless he wiIl,' Hardwick re
That's the worst OF that God
country" he ended Irrelevant
~.
whats the worst of it?" h In
THAT it prohibits one from being a
of the aforementioned va
Van" he said. rising suddenly
standing by her chair. 81 never in
tended to tell you. but perhaps We'll
feel better If 1 do. l went down
here intending to make my pile and
come back here to marry you. The pile
q still to be made, and it looks as If /
we're doomed to stay there forever. but
ion't think 1t was because 1 didn't love
zou enough or because / haven't done
ny best"
The girl looked up at his earnest face.
md something in 1t filled her with pity.
'he had intended to reply lightly. In
tead her eyes fell. n b was silent.
You understand. don't you ?" he said
a pause.
mo. 1 don't understand" she said
She was aware he stepped back as If
had been struck.
81 don't understand how-how you
ould misjudge me So" b said.
~Mtsjudge your he cried.
Yes" she said. THAT Is just what
on have done. Do you think all my
opes are bounded by a house in a con.
endonal suburb with a conventional
avn and all the rest Of it?"
He looked at her inquiringly, but said
othing.
She turned her head and looked across
he well kept lawn. When she spoke
e voice had softened.
Teddy" b said, ''have you ever
card OF the country called Any
rheref"
I'm afraid / don't follow you." he
Nd stf11y.
Listen" she said, "and I'll tell you
bout 1t. 1t is a very delightful coup
Teddy, no matter what Its environ
or cold. peopled or desert,
-uitful or barren. 1t is always charm
g to the girl who really cares. be
It is his country and he is there.
IL loyable because of him"
She stopped. half frightened by her
vn words. He stood quite still for a
oment, then suddenly bent over her
Dol both her hands In his own.