The Virginia enterprise., 1910-09-23


at her feet, she felt his lack Of sympa-
thy for her chosen work and frown
marred her pretty features.
The boy looked up. He was very
good-looking boy, with a decisive chin
and keen eyes and the freshest of
not have called him a boy; he was
two years older than Nancy and
Nancy was twenty-three. But to her
he was always the same restless,
eager, impulsive, persistent boy, who
had tormented her ever since she
could remember A look of concern
darkened his keen eyes.
What is it. Nancy?" he questioned
softly.
You are not interested in my work
and it hurts" ..
Il am interested in everything that
concerns you, Nancy"
How good of you!"
The boy smiled, first at her, then
since she would have none of it-at
the crimson rambler beyond do
you know" he said slowly. that you
look ripping in front of those red
blossoms?"
Nancy sniffed 1t was so like the
boy to say that.
Il like you in white," continued the
boy, imperturbably.
when 1 get into city work l shall
always wear dark skirts-short and
plain and sensible"
Il won't like them. But tell me your
plans"
ITO keep or here until there's an
opening. That's what the editor ad-
vises."
And them"
Then? Why, there won't be any
then I'll just keep on and on.
That's ALL"
Where do l come in?"
You? Haven't I made it perfectly
clear that you don't come in at all?"
The boy bit his lip. I'm going to
the city tomorrow myself" he an
nounced. There's been a change in
the management of the steel plant"
"And you"
ant superintendent"
"Oh, I'm so glad-so glad! It's
your chance, isn't it-your great
chance?"
Yes. May I come back for you.
Nancy"
"Oh, boy; dear. no! Once for all,
All the eager light died out of the
boys eyes. Must CO." he said rising
wearily.
I'm sorry" began Nancy, giving him
her hand. Really, I am. l wish
could say what you want me to. But
you don't know what my work means
thrill in Nancy's voice when she said.
my work."
'All right, Nancy" His voice was
dull and patient, and he seemed not
to notice that she had not withdrawn
her hand.
"An right, dear" Suddenly his grip
frightened and he seized her other
hand in a pressure that made her
vince. "Only some time-some time,
you'll-Oh, I'm insane!" he broke off,
bitterly. His hands relaxed and they
stood looking at each other with white
faces. "Good-by, DEAR"
You'll write and tell me about
your work?'
Yes. Oh, Nancy"
Don't say tiny work"
'Oh, yes, your work. l always for
get that. Good-by.'
Nancy watched him swing along the
garden. "A great, dear boy" she mur-
INJURED. "A grand boy for some one,
but not for me. Oh, what a relief it's
going to be not to have his Interrupt
tions-what jumping ahead with my
work. I'll miss him, of course, but
he'll write. and it won't be hard. Poor,
dear boy!"
Nancys work went on. It fairly
jumped and leaped. Everything she
did was better than the thing before
She found modest entrance to the
big papers, creeping all the time into
more and more evidence. And at last
the chance came-a real position on
city paper. Nancy seized it with
avidity.
Aren't you glad for me-" she wrote
the boy.
"Yes," the boy wrote back. but"
And then followed his meager assent,
with the old tireless appeal to the
woman's heart in Nancy.
Despite her cleverness and fearless
1f
harder than Nancy had imagined.
She found the curt orders quite differ
ent from the easy-going suggestions
of the editor at home. Her stories
must be cleaned from haunts, the
misery and pitifulness of which made
her heart sick for days. And the
short, plain, dark. sensible walking
skirts were not nearly as comfortable
as her fresh white dimities had been.
Still she made good and kept her
nerve and ignored the vital theme of
the boys letters as gayly as before.
In spite OF all discouragements and
hurts and long night hours she loved
it and made good.
Life was very full and busy for
Nancy 1t didn't even occur to her
that the boys letters became infre-
quent. Indeed. not until there came
Il three months interim did she give
the matter a thought. Il do hope he
isn't ill.," she worried. He is such a
dear boy. and such friend"
From another source she learned of
his second promotion. Pm glad he's
all right" ran her relieved thoughts.
Only. it is so strange that he doesn't