Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-07-30

thousand inhabitants, hotels, three miles of paved
sidewalk, public school, four factories and two news
p ei vou!v An that IN SIX "0n'hS " hummer can
AS he paused for breath she sighed. "And yet you
Romance! There's no romance in that. That's just
get up and get. l had to hustle, Mrs. Cheyne I'd
promised these people the water from the mountains
on certain date but couldn't do and the big ditch
wasn't finished. was in a bad fix for I'd broken my
word Those people had paid me their money and they
threatened to lynch me. They had meeting
and calling ugly names when walked
in. Why they didn't take shot at me then don't
know; but they didn't. got the table, and when
they stopped yelling began to talk to en- didn't
know Just what to say; but knew had to say some
thing and make good-or go out of town in pine box
began by telling EN- what a great town Wrayvle was
I told them it coming. They tried to boot me
down; but kept on.
weren't you afraid?'
"You bet 1 was; but they never knew it! l tried to
think of why they didn't have the water and
in moment they began to listen told EN- there was
thirty thousand dollars worth of digging be done.
told EN- it would be done too; but that didn't see
why that money should 60 out of Wrayvle to lot OF
contractors in Denver I'd been saving that work for
the citizens of Wrayville. | prepared to pay the
highest wages for good men and if Wrayville said the
word they could begin the big ditch tomorrow"
"What did they do?"
"They stopped yelling right there, and knew had
EN- going In a minute they started to cheer. Before
1 finished they carrying around the hall on
their shoulders. Phew! but that took quick
thinbing!
MRS. CHEYNE had started forward when he began,
and he went on her eyes lost their sleepy look,
her its languor and she followed him to the end
in wonder When he stopped she sank back in her
corner smiling, and repeated:
Romance! What romance is there left in the world
for man like your"
He looked up at her with his baby stare, and then
laughed awkwardly. you're making fun of me, Mrs.
Cheyne I've been talking too much, reckon
She didn't reply at once and the look In her eyes
embarrassed him. He reached for his cigarette case
offered her, and when she refused took him
self lit it slowly gazing out of the transom opposite
al hope l haven't tired you, Mrs. Cheyne. It's
dangerous to get me talking about myself never
know when to stop.
al don't want you to stop. I've never been enter
tanned in my life. l don't believe you know how in
teresting you are.
He turned toward her. embarrassed and still incredu
lous. "Youre very kind" he muttered.
4You mustn't be SO humble, she broke in sharply
"You weren't minute ago. | like you best when
a thought I'd like to talk about YOU
She waved hand in depreciation. Me! Oh, no!
We can't come to earth like that. Tell me another
fairy tale"
@Fairy tale? Then you don't believe me?'
ooh, yes" she laughed a believe you but to
they fairy tales just the same 1t seems for
you to do wonderful things | wish you'd do some
conjuring for me-
ooh, there isn't any magic business about me; but
I'll try What do you want mOst!"
She put elbow on her knee and gazed at the
blossom in her fingers Her voice too fell a note
@What l think l want most she said slowly, lis
way of this" She waved the blossom vaguely in
of the tiresome people, the tresome dinners
Dances teas. We're narrow cynical, deeply
enmeshed in our small pursuits! I'm weary-desper-
atey weary of myself.
"Yes." And then, with a short unmrthfu laugh
"That's my secret. You didn't suspect it, did your"
"Lord no!' and after pause you're unhappy
"Cheyneo Oh no. He's the only thing am happy