The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1914-08-22

well" she answered, and her voice
seemed softer than its wont. II amt
thought much Of that word for q good
many years now. But when do-say.
J seem to zee myself sitting on our
porch back home thirty years ago.
I've GOT on Q simple little muslin dress.
ami l'm slender as Elsie Janis. and the
evlor In my cheeks is-well. IT'S the
oo0 that Norton likes. And my hair
but I'm thinking OF him. Of Norton.
Hes told me he wants to make mo
happy for life. and I've about decided
I'LL let him try. I see him coming Nd
our front walk. coming to call on me.
Have mentioned I've got q figure, q
real sweet ngure? That's about what
romance means to me-
youth. dearT' asks Miss Norton
ssntly.
THAT'S u. dearie." answered the
older woman dreamily. youth"
For q time those about the table sat
IN silence. picturing no doubt. the
slender ngure on the steps OF that
porch long ago. Not without q hu-
morous sort OF pity did they glance
occasionally toward the woman whom
Norton had begged to make happy.
The professor Of compare tive iitera.
turs was the Hrst to break the silence.
The dictionary" he remarked aca-
oemicaily. would define romance as a
species OF fictitious writing originally
composed In the romance dialects and
afterward In prose. But the diction-
ary is prosaic-it has no soul. Shall
J Tell you what romance means to me?
] viii. see q man toiling In a dim
laboratory. where there are strange
ares and strange odors. Night and
day hs experiments. the love OF his
Kind IN his eyes. o desire to help In
nss heart. And thsn-the golden mo-
ment-the great moment In that quiet.
drosry celi-ths moment OF the dis.
eosery. A serum. q formula-what
not He gives it to the world and q
few OF the sick are we'll again and a
few of tho sorrowfui are glad. Ro-
nance means neither youth nor DOW.
- 10 me. Il means service"
He bent his dim old eyes on his
food. and Mr.. Magee gesed at him
with a new wonder. Odd sentiments
these from an old man who robbed
dreplnces. held up hermits and engag-
"a In midnight conferences BY the an
max door. More than ever Magee was
baff'ed. enthralled. amused. Now Mr..
Max iecred about the table and con.
tyibuted his unsavory bit.
Funny. amt t." he remarked, "the
di6erent things the same word means
70 bunch OF folks. Say romance to
ne and don't see no dim laboratory.
] don't zee nothing dim. see the
brightest lights In the world and the
bcst food and somebody. maybe.
dancing the latest freak dance In be
tween the tables. And an orchestra
playing In tb" dlstance-classy danes
ai about-a taxi clicking at the door
And me sending wort! TO the chauf.
feur. Let her click ull the milk carts
rumb'e-I can pay say. tnat sure 10
comante to me-"
"nr. HAYDEN" remarked Magee,
ARE We TO hear from your
Hayden hesitated and looked for q
moment into the black eyes Of Myra
Thornhill
MY idea has often been contradict
cd" he said. keeping his gaze on the
gir': 1T may be again. hut to me
the greatest romance In the world Is
the romance Of money making-dol-
lar plling ON dollar In the vaults OF the
man who started with a shoestring
and hope and nerve I see him fight
Ing for the flrst tlsousn inland then
see his pile growing. slowly at first
Sasser--f -fnster- fastcr-until a motor.
car brings him tO his office, and men
speak his name with awe In the
streetx"
Money" commented Miss Thorn
hill contemptuonsly. What an idea
Of romance for man.!
IL did not expect" replied Hayden.
that my definition would pass unchal-
IenEed. My past experiences"- he
looked mennlngly at the girl-"had led
me to be prepared for TINT. hut II IL
my dehnition--I spoke the truth. You
must give me credit for that"
u amt one To blame you." sneered
Cargan. FOR wanting 1t noticed when
you do Sidestep lie. Yes. 1 certain
ly"-
"See here. Curgnn." blazed Hayden.
"ies. you did speak the truth" put
In Miss Thornhill hastily. "You men
toned one word In your definition. It
was a desecration to drag Ii in-hopc.
For me romance means only-hope.
Aud I'm afraid there are pitiful NUN.
ber In the world to whom II means the
same"
l..ts