The citizen. (Frederick City, Md.) 1895-1923, 1906-05-11


surely buttoning of her gloves. A hand
touched her arm suggestively, but she
finished the buttoning calmly. Then
she said, without turning: mo, Sam.
not tonight. I'm going to walk with
Alice. We've got things to talk about
Come" TO girl who was standing
with a young man just inside.
"All right, I'm ready. No. to her
companion, you can't walk home with
me this evening, Tom. It's such short
way, and Carrie and l want to be to-
gether."
AS they went down the path third
girl joined them. running from boy
whose arm half rose in Intellectual pro-
test. The girl was giggling.
81 guess I'll walk with you, girls"
she cried. We've just got to cold
shoulder those boys little or they'll
begin to think they own us, and I've
don't want their company that way
But isn't he sweet?"
Lovely" Carrie answered. She re-
garded the newcomer through the cor
ners of her eyes. "Funny,e she COM
mented. you've been keeping company
with John two years"
"Thats just. the trouble" the girl
giggled, cts getting too settled But
you've been going with sam most as
long Carrie, and folks do say-oh, you
needn't laugh, Alice. You and Tom
are pretty much in the same bout But
never mind: you're both like me, and
feel it's getting too settled. The boys
need Il little-litle more uncertainty"
"There never was anything between
Sam and me- said Carrie. shortly.
Were just friends
"That's what Tom and l are de-
cared Alice ITS silly the way folks
talk. What are you snickering about,
Lou?'
ooh. nothing" giggled the third girl;
only was sort OF wondering if twas
him." Then, inconsequently, Hes
coming over to my house Thursday.
He asked If it would be convenient
when l came in this evening"
That's because you're a committee
on the Easter decorations" observed
Carrie, indifferently, and his head is
full of that just now. He spent all last
evening at my house"
Because you're the organist, and
he's trying to improve the music" said
Alice. Land knows. there's room
enough. I'm going to have him in to
supper Friday, just as a friend"
There were some minutes of silence,
during which the girls walked on, sew
eral feet apart: then they came togeth-
er again, giggline.
Just behind them was Il neatly clad
figure, alone. At first this girl had paid
no attention TO the conversation In
front; then, as the tones grew more in
sistent and she understood. she fell be-
hind, her face growing thoughtful
Three young men pushed by her, in
dignant. and yet evidently afraid to
advance, for they only went on a few
steps. and then slackened their pace.
Il tell you. boys, l won't stand this
thing much longer" she heard one of
tnen uecluFe uOtly. luiS makes TWO
Thursdays I've been turned down, and
l thought everything was all right, and
I've even been on the lookout for a
house. OF course, ! wouldn't say this
to alphabetically and lowering
his voice, though not so low but the
girl behind was obliged to hear-"bat
you two are being treated in the same
way. What's the matter, do you think
--him?"
mo, just girls foolishness," answer
ed one of his companions. ELLISON
isn't a Mormon, and, besides, every
body can see he doesn't care for girls.
He's afraid of them. / guess ours are
only trying TO see how much strain we
will bear"
I'm! Maybe you're right"-doubt-
fully-"but | feel as though ought to
be pinning the thing down somewhere
and starting row. If only he wasn't
quite $3.50 absolutely unconscious
The girl fell back still farther, be-