Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1913-02-16


al wonder?" answered Magee 1t came to him sud-
denly that in each person definition of this intangible
thing might lie exposed something of both character and
calling. At the far end of the table Mrs Nortons lined
tired face his gaze To her he put his question.
well" she answered and her voice seemed softer
than its won't Il amt thought much of that word for
a good many years now. But when | do-say, | seem
to myself sitting on porch back home thirty
years ago. I've got simple little muslin dress, and
I'm slender Elsie Janis and the color IN my cheeks IS
WELL it's the that Norton likes. And my hair
but I'm thinking of him, of Norton. He's told me he
wants to make me happy for fe and I've about decided
III let him try see him coming up our front walk
coming to call on me- Have | mentioned I've got
figure, real sweet figure? That's about what romance
means to me.
Youth, Dear?' asked Miss Norton gently.
dreamily. Youth"
For time those about the table sat in silence, pic
turing doubt the slender figure the steps of that
porch long ago Not without humorous sort of pity
did they glance occasionally toward the that
Norton had begged to make happy. The professor of
comparative literature the first to break the silence
"The dictionary" he remarked accidentally, would
define species of fictitious writing originally
composed in the Romance dialects, and atterward In
prose But the dictionary is prosaic: it has soul
Shall tell you what romance means to me! | will.
a man toing in dim laboratory, where there are
strange fires and stranger odorS Night and day he
pements, the love of his kind his eyes, desire to
help in his heart. And then--the golden moment-the
great moment in that quiet dreary Cellthe moment OF
the discovery! A serum, formula-what not! He
gives to the world and few of the sick well again.
and few of the sorrowful are glad Romance means
neither youth power to 1t meanS--SerV1Ce.'
He bent his old eyes on his food, and Magee gazed
at him with wonder. Odd sentiments these from
old man who robbed ireplaces held up hermits and
engaged in midnight conferences by the annex door
More than Nagee was bafed, enthralled, amused
Now Max eered about the table and contributed his
unsavory bit. Funny, amt it, he remarked, 1.-THE
different things the same word means to bunch OF
folks? Say romance to me, and L don't see no dim
lab ratory. don't nothing dim. see the brightest
lights in the world, and the best food and somebody
1ofnc hnfp
tables and orchestra playing in the distance classy
DANES all about, taxi clicking at the door. And me
sending word to the chauffeur Let her chick till the
nance to mel"
@Mr Hayden" remarked Magee. @are we to hear
from your"
HAYDEN hesitated and looked for moment into
II the black eyes of Myra Thornhill "My idea has
often been contradicted he said keeping his gaze on
the girl at may be again But to the greatest
nance in the world is the romance of money making
dollar ping dollar in the vaults of the man who
started with shoestrng, and hope, and nerve. see
pile growing, slowly at -faster-faster-
until motorcar brings him to his Office and men speak
his with awe in the streets"
"Monevl" commented Miss Thornhill contemptu-
ously "What an idea of romance for mani
al did not expect" replied Hayden, "that my def
milton would pass unchallenged My past experiences
he looked meaningy at the girl "had led to be pre-
pared for that. But it is my defnition-I spoke the
truth You must give me credit for that"
al amt one to blame you. sneered Cargan, "for
wanting it noticed when you do sidestep lie. Yes,
certainly
"See here, Cargan!" blazed Hayden.
ayes, you did speak the truth put in Miss Thornhil
hastily "You mentioned word in your definition
it Dissertation to drag it in,-hope: For me ro-
nance means Only-hope. And | m afraid there are a
pitifu number in the world to whom the
ave amt heard from the young who started
all this fuss over little word" Cargan reminded them
"That's right, Dearly" said Mrs. Morton "You got
to contribute"
"Yes,' agreed the girl with the "locks crsped like