The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1910-09-10
Elizabeth's Big Boy
nv A MARIA CRAWFORD.

II
Aunt Martha Bradner laid down her embroidery
and looked her glasses at the girl ur I axs
Jim Martin. They Just drifted into engagement.
She thought she hurt the other day, but IT was
BILE had happened her. Time. after ALL Ia surs
surgeon; his knife may cut slowly bnt 1t always goes
deep enough to take out the sting
DR. Martin has felt of Elizabeth that he
that matter It has been his sins Of omission that
have resented most for p izabeth. He thinks every
body in this town knows that she refused him was
afraid that she wouldn't what he said the other
night else that he would come back the next day
Martha"
4 have liked his attitude toward Elisabeth.
but wouldn't interfere. Young folks usually nE
up their own matches better II we older ones leave
had TO pay attention to visiting girls for ths
sake of his practice, but believe that II doctor canr
make living by depending on his knowledge of med
icine he had better go into some other business
to Howell girl, She is visiting Fanny War
rem, know. and have seen the way he tried ia
with eyes just did. glad
she turned him down, but how did she do 1T? She
is always so afraid of hurting somebody.
He came here the morning after that dance and
asked her to go on country cal, with him - ana l
couldn't didn't know what had happened At
the dance and when he began to argue and as
me about it afterward that don't think quite an"
derstood. What did Jim say to her.
side gallery OF the clubhouse, cooling of between
| the Howell girl He very careessy asked Elizabeth
for her dance card. and after scratching his of
places remarked that Miss Howell had just prom
ised him dances didn't hesitate about taking
them back. Elizabeth. he said for you know Well
have to dance together for the rest Of our lives any
way Just then Jack Dunbar leaped off the balcony
railing and with a rather nonchalent air said That's
being abominably rude for were expecting to ga
rowing the lake during those dances could
have Rugged him for it. Aunt Martha, and then he
went tell DR.. Martin that since he had come
2.0oo miles Elizabeth she had given him per-
mission to take her home In his car ana that they
would leave early for he knew just duck of an INN
to himself for a little while Elizabeth TOOK her cus
Immediately and they went on together to the boat
What did Jim say"
Not word. His face study, looked as if
something had iattened 1t out suddenly and III wager
he didn't enjoy those dances"
realize they a girl. been here repeatedly
/ and elephoned a dozen times, but Elizabeth seems
have turned completely against him this time Here
now"
Teresa how glad YOU" Elizabeth said.
and then to crying sight OF the dear friendly
| When Teresa would have stopped her. Aunt Msrtha
for a woman like steam in boiler. II there wasus
some outlet child something would have to blow up
Run Elizabeth cried Teresa excitedly few min.
utes later, catching sight OF broad-shondered fellow
swinging up the path, run wash your eyes and put
Dunbar in here with a big box hope to goodness
/ it's candy
The young people stayed to supper Elizabeths Auns
Martha insisting that she needed some youth and
isfed heard Eiizabeth's voice ring
ry and observed that she was beginning to seem
|
and Aunt Martha had declared 1t time for old
| folks to be "abed" she had had enough excitenent
! for evening. Elizabeth and the young artist sas
down the vine-covered porch and looked out over
the oldfashioned flower garden, where the moon had
mysterously touched the blossoms with her slses
1T was good Of you to help me out the other epen-
Ing Jack l have wanted to thank you since
then, but somehow couldn't bring myself TO the
That little at dance? / certainly enjoyed
that night I think gave the doctor turn he ~ons
4 broke my engagement with him next
ing Jack. He thought that he could do any
thing and my word once given would protect him.
Real love has sting in 1t and have come TO tho
conclusion that have been cheating myself by false
Jack Dunbar nlcked the ashes from his cigar and
waited for her TO finish
1T wasn't the he sighted me- she
and lately l have been realizing that things
our relation. l wouldn't hurt anybody unjustly for
the world You ar. man 'aes s and can judge for
He waited long TO answer that she turned and
asked again, DO you think that did right
More than right. Elizabeth, for man ought to bs
Glad 10 turn from ali the weird II necessary and cnx
TO you You people Elizabeth. remem-
Der when were children in Maynardsyiile. used
came the stepping stones. You We're such lit
tie thing and ] such big burly fellow that all
feel your little yellow curls bobhing against my face
now they often did in those days used to pray
for rain then, elizabeth, so that the water would
and the little girls feet unless
| the big boys carried them over. was always your
big boy. Elizabeth. wasn't IT,
Ills very tenderness seemed to hurt. and Elizabeth
felt lump rising in her threat
Il went away. you remember, to college and never
came back until last summer. l wanted succeed
and bring that success to you
/ We all proud. Jack. of your wonderful Pic
lures and the great name that YOU have made for
yourself
/ 81 wanted to bring that YOU and when
came last summer and found that you were engaged
TO Japan month stay year and work 1
wish that you would go with me. dear 7 have the
have always been your big boy, Elisabeth and you
have been my inspiration and my dream
hat a