The Lancaster news. [volume] (Lancaster, S.C.) 1905-current, 1916-09-26
THE EYE-OPENER
Engaged Couple See Each Other In A New
By TOM MASSON


haps you ought not to have come.
1t seemed too bad to leave your
mother"
well. you needn't worry about
that. What did you ask me for. any
way?"
II didn't suppose you was house
cleaning"
We'll, what of it? 1 can go If l
want to. Besides, she was becom-
ing angry-"you have no right to
talk to me like this. 1 don't want to
go now. You can take me back"
Horace, however. had different
views. Now that they had set out on
their journey he was determined to
see it through. His rigid masculine
sense of duty made it impossible,
however. for him to throw off the
feeling that LYDIA had not done right
Unconsciously. imperatively. he was
asking himself the question whether,
after all, this girl who was ready at
the slightest call to leave her mother
alone ''in the lurch." as it were
would make the right kind Of wife.
There never had been a moment
from earliest boyhood when he had
ever indulged in any pleasure by sac
rificing his home responsibilities. It
was in the blood. Nay. more. it was
in the county. He slapped the reins
on the horses back.
No" he said. well go on"
Stung by the injustice Of the sud
den attitude of one to whom up to
the pesent moment there had never
been anything but the most ardent
alteration, and in whom she had
never even suspected such a large
vein of sulliness. obstinacy, obtuse-
ness-call it by whatever name one
chooses--Lyda's eyes blazed. But
with feminine restrain she held
herself together. Here was chance
TO test this lover, so suddenly re-
vealed in new light. She smiled
as she said slowly, as If measuring
her words:
I'D stop work at any time If I
could have some fun. why shouldn't
I? 1 can tell you I'm not going to
be a drudge all my life"
Horace drove on silently.
IF you think I'm going to be tied
down to house all the time you're
mistaken. I'm not that kind"
No reply from Horace, and neither
spoke again during the journey to
the fair grounds.
Arriving there, Horace put up his
horse in the shed and LYDIA Joined the
crowd. Presently he came back, and
they walked along together, still ST.
lent. Soon, however. LYDIA caught
sight of some one she knew. young
man named Stenhall, who lived over
the line in the next county.
, Hello. George," she cried.
Hello. LYDIA! Hello. Horace!
Come over to the dancing pavilion. /"
I'm not interested in dancing.
said Horace sullenly.
We'll, 1 am" said LYDIA. "And
you can come or not" she whispered.
Il m going to have a good time"
Thereafter Horace caught glimpses
of her in the distance having her
good time" with other friends, for
LYDIA. being pretty and vivacious
girl. was general favorite. while he
took sedentary interest in the
stock exhibits. At six o'clock ne
came up to her.
Are you reay to go home?" he
asked.
Yes. If il is time" she returned
i've had splendid time" she
said. His denseness-fo men are
peculiarly dense about some things
prevented him from detecting that
slightly raised note in a woman's
voice which indicates unmistakably
that she is playing part.
He made no reply. but in another
moment drove out in the buggy. She
got in, and they silently proceeded
on their home journey. Neither
spoke.
1t was dark when they reached her
cottage. He got out first. and stood
silently as she jumped to the ground
without assistance.
will you come in?" she said DO
ltely.
mo; it's late"
I'm much obliged for the ride.
Good night She turned nm tho