Waterbury evening Democrat., 1907-10-30
One Touch Of Nature.
  By Constance D'Arcy Mackay.
Copyrighted. 1907. by P. c. Eastmel

$ Copyrighted. 1907. by P. c. Eastment. , SvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvA
 AS Loring Carters automobile came to q full stop, for the second time ill four minutes, with jerk that threw that young gentleman with some vio- fence 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.
 T don't care what it is," growled Loring. 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 to run it. Understand?
 "Yes, sir" mumbled the chauffeur.
 Loring turned on his heel. Before he had gone block he was whistling blithely. It was impossible to be angry on a morning when the air was like amber, and the streets glinted with
 
 wealth of spring glory for which San Francisco has long been famous It's buildings, as yet untouched by devas- tation, were sharply outlined against the blue. Youngsters were hurrying schoolward, and Loring threaded his way between their groups. Look out, sonny" he laughed, as a small boy bumped into him. Did you spill your fiowersT
 Stopping, he gathered up the scat tered marigolds and replaced them in the child's chubby hand. It was then that he caught sight of tall girl con- ing down the street with a string of children following. Something about the way she walked and held her head awOke remembrances ill him.
 "Why, Eileenw he cried
 For moment the girl looked pug Zled. Then she smiled "Nr. Carter" she exclaimed. Even in this demo- cratic country girl does not call l young millionaires by their first names because she happens to have gone to grammar school with them.
 Flight years ago you used to call me Lorry," he reminded her.
 Did I?' Her gray eyes overfowed with mirth. ''I remember that you used to dub me Freckles~ She tilted up a chin as delicately white as porcelain.
 What are you doing now, Eileen?" said he.
 Isn't it rather obvious?" she asked, with a glance at her following, that I'm teaching kindergarten?"
 Clay pigeons, paper mats and all that?'
 Eileen nodded Then they both laughed.
 If I come over tonight will you show me how it's done?' he queried. T believe I've almost forgotten"
 AS Eileen assented she gave him a long look, with the inward comment that he hadn't changed particle since the day he used to steal her hair rib bons.
 As for Loring ne was filled with wonder at the, alchemy of the years that had changed gawlly, brown pig tailed schoolgirl into this slender, deep eyed beauty. After this at least three evenings a week found him in the little apartment that Eileen kept for her widowed mother and herself. The street was unfashionable and noisy, but, despite its crowded shrillness. LOT ing liked it, as he liked the dusty euca- lyptus tree that stood ill front of Eli leen's door. Such humble things had come to stand to him for signs and symbols.
 One night as he fingered over his after dinner coffee on the broad porch of his home overlooking the lawn his mother glanced at him with sudden Quizzical sharpness.
 "Lorry," she burst out, 'does it ever occur to you that you're great disap- pointment:"
 She was q pretty little woman, with a peevish mouth and. nervous. much be- ringed hands. Her voice held note of accumulated wrongs.
 "A great disappointment" she reit- erated.
 Tn what wayT said Loring quietly.
 You know quite we'll" she flashed. "I've spoken of it often enough. good ness knowsr'
 You mean Grace Remston?" said Loring.
 Tt isn't as if she wasn't an attrac- tive girl" pursued his mother irrele- vanity. She's of good family too. And ten millions, And every one knows she's interested in you. I can't see why you don't marry her"
 LOring set down his cup. It was hardly the moment he would have for