Daily press. [volume] (Newport News, Va.) 1896-current, 1907-11-03
OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES
One Touch
OF Nature.
Copyrighted. 1907. by p. c. Eastment.

BY Constance Darcy Maekay.

that young gentleman with some VIC
lence against the padded seat. an
angry dent showed between his eyes.
ITS the sp'- began the chauffeur,
speedily and apologetically getting out
OF the car.
Il don't care what it is" growled
LorinS. He was already on the side
walk. Take the blamed thing back
TO the house-if you know how-and
don't call for me tonight unless you
can guarantee 10 run it. Understand?"
Yes, SIR mumblcd the chauffeur.
Lorlng turned on his heel. Before
ne had gone block he was whistling
plithely 1t was impossible TO he angry
on morning when the air was like
amber. and the streets ginted with
That downpouring OF sunshine, that
wealth OF spring glory for which San
Francisco has long been famous It's
buildings. as yet untouched by dcvas-
tation, We're sharply outlined against
the blue. Youngsters were hurrying
schoolwnrd. and Lorlng threaded his
way between their groups
Look out. sonny" he laughed. rs 4
small boy bumped into him. did you
spill your ilowcrsf"
STOPPING, lie gathered up the scat
tered marigolds and replaced them In
the child's chubby hand. 1t was then
that he caught sight of tall girl COM
Ing down the street with n string OF
children following. Something about
the way she walked and held her head
awokc remembrances in him.
why, Eileen.' lie cried
For moment the girl looked puz-
zlcd. Then she smiled. mir. Carter-'
she exclaimed Even in this demo
cratic country girl does not call
young milionaires by their first names
because she happens 10 have gone to
grammar school with them.
Eight years ago you used to call
me Lorry.' lie reminded her.
Did Il" Her gray eyes overlooked
with mirth 81 remember that you used
TO dub me Frcckles.' She tilted up Il
chin ms dclicatcly white rs porcelain.
What are you doing now. Eilecn?'
said he.
isn't ii rather obyious;' she asked.
with a glance ut her following, that
I'm teaching kindergarten
Clay pigeons. paper mats and all
that?"
Eileen nodded. Then they both
laughed.
"lf come over tonight will you
show me how it's done?' he querled.
~ believe I've almost forgotten"
AS Eileen assented she gave him n
long look. with the inward comment
that he hadn't changed Il particle since
the day he used TO steal her hair rib
bons.
AS for Loring. ne was filed with
wonder Mt the alchemy of the years
that had changed n gawky brown pig
tailed schoolgirl into this slender deep
eyed beauty. After this at least three
evenings week found him In the little
apartment that Eileen kept for her
widowed mother and herself The
street was questionable and noisy,
but. despite its crowded shrillness. Lor-
ing liked 1t. as he liked the dusty euca-
lyptus tree that stood in front of Eli
lecn's door. Such humble things had
come to stand to him for Signs and
symbols.
One night rs he. fingered over his
inter dinner coffee on the broad porch
of his home overlooking the lawn his
mother glanced mt him with sudden
qul2zical sharpness.
"Lorry." she burst out, does it ever
occur to YOU that you're great disap-
pointment?"
She was pretty little woman. with
peeyish mouth and nervous, much be-
ringcd hands. Her voice held note of
accumulated wrongs.
"A great disappointment" she relt-
Grated
''ln what way" said Loring quietly.
"You know quite we'll" she flashed.
Give spoken OF it often enough. good
ness knowsl"
You mean Grace Remston!" said
Lorng
ut isn't as if she wasn't an attrac-
tive girl" pursued his mother irrcle-
vanity. shes of good family too. And
ten millions. And every one knows
she's Interested in YOU can't see why
You don't marry her"
I.oring set down his cup 1t was
hardly the moment lie would have for
condolences, but apparently the time
had come.
Because have already made up my
mind TO marry some one else"
His mother Sasped.
"Lorry. My dear hoy. Oh, hope
she's suitable. You're prone to over
look the really necessary qualiica-
tions?"
"She has beauty aud grace and kind
ness of heart" said 1orng.
And her pcoplc:'
Her mother is q very catlmablc wo
man. Her father was the janitor OF
the Myrtle street school"
Thcn fnllnvrnl fln rcnnn ,,.nici, L -