Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1916-03-29
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OPENED EYES
BY LESLIE FORD.


Just look at Ben Todd, the station
agent, going back to the depot the
near way" Mrs. Perkins called to her
daughter. ell bet he and Mabel
have quarreled about, that whipper-
snapper Charlie Wilkes, for she was
out automobiling with that fellow
yesterday, and they passed the depot
three times, as if they were just de-
termined Zen should see them"
Mrs. Perkins jumped to conclusions
with the skill of a practiced gossip,
but in this case she had reached the
right conclusion, for Ben and Mabel
had quarreled the night before when
he went to make his usual Sunday
evening call.
Ben had tried to avoid mentioning
Charlie Wilkes, the dapper young man,
who, while on vacation visit to
Marshville, had been paying Mabel SO
much attention that all the town was
wondering how much longer Ben
would stand it without putting his
foot down." AS Ben and Mabel sat
on the front porch there was sitting
sense of impending storm. Converse
tion moved haltingly. Eight o'clock
came and passed, and from over the
hill came the faint sounds Of the
church organ.
Are we going to the union song
service tonight" asked Ben.
"What for?" retorted Mabel. ITO lis
ten to Mamie Cobb try to outsing
Elsie Martini"
Seemed like you enjoyed the
church social Thursday night; that is,
it looked that way to an outsider like
me-" Thus Ben touched off the spark
that exploded his intention to avoid
the one subject of which they were
both thinking.
Yes, l did, and that because I was
with live wire." snapped Mabel. III
q few people like that lived In Marsh
vile thered be something to enjoy all
the time"
Ben tool" his hat from the end OF
the porch seat.
Since you've made 1t plain that
there's no enjoyment for you In my
company, can mighty soon relieve
you Of it." Ben descended two steps.
and added: Good night, Mabel.
You'll not be bothered with my com.
pany again unless you SLY the word. !"
"of course. being q man. you'll
blame the woman when things 90
wrong. I hope you're satisfied. and
I'm sure am. Good night" Mabel
disappeared through the doorway and
Ben walked all around town to reach
his boarding house, only three blocks
away.
During the week that followed. Ma
bel and Charlie Wilkes NAR often
seen tosether by the obser towns.
people. On Saturday. q cslebratioa
was held IN honor Of the completion
of tho new town hall, and tho festivt
ties ended with an evening concert IN
the public square. &, Mabel and 7ouns
Wilkes had been dashing around
town in On automobile and they
stopped near the square to listen to
the band.
Gee, this 10 no life for you, Mabel
said Charlie, with easy familiarity.
You ought to be In the city. Why,
any number Of girls with less educa'
ton than you get from fifteen to tven.
ty dollars . week for the hghtest kind
Of Office work, and evenings they've
nothing to do but dress up sn 90
to . show or . dance"
But Amy Cobb was heus Last
week." weakly protested Msbei. "aud
she makes o good salary; but she saya
It 10 hard to make friends IN the city
among the kind OF peoDss you'd eart
to call friends.'
"Oh, we'll II B girl acts like gttE
people will pass her up, but you'd
never have to 60 begging for friend
or beau-certainly not, wfsen En-
anywhere around" Charlfe sftp1ed
his arm around Mabel's wstst asd
started to draw her to him. bus ct thai
instant there came . crashing sound
from the band platform and hun
dred shrieking voices from the crowd
Mabel started to spring forward, but
Charlie frightened his arm about her
She wrested herself away from him
and turned her eyes blazingly upon
him 90 she let herself out OF the car.
How dare you? And when people
around us arc being killed! Why
don't you do something to help" she
almost shrieked a4 him.
why should do anything" came
GHariies Indifferent reply. TITS no
erscern of mine II these Rubes want
I'd Es4 their necks broken. Even your
1ttsn4l the station agent and baggage
:Huatlen, h In that gang. Seer
AH Mabel could see was o young
! WOMAN hugging . threesyear.old boy
to her breast, and q number OF OK
otteh men trying to- make room on
the groand to lay Ben Todd'e limp
g. cA~ z,,ohnA hop- 1,,ax1 fSs kjr