The Pickens sentinel. (Pickens, S.C.) 1911-2016, 1916-11-30

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street, stretching away to the north
ana 10 the south in two lines Of houses
thit seemed to meet in the distance,
helnmed her in. She had been born in
tne little brick house, and, as she was
OF IT, SO 1t was Of her. Her hands had
sihoothed and painted the pine floors;
her hands had put up the twine on
"hich the morning glories in the yard
covered the fences; had, indeed, with
what agonieS of Stacking lime and add
ing blueing, whitewaShed the fence it.
self!
shes capable" Aunt Harriet had
srumblingly admitted, watching from
her sewing machine Sidneys strong
young arms at this humble spring task.
Shes wonderful % her mother had
S'ld' us she bent over her handwork
she was not strong enough to run the
sewing machine.
SO Joe DrumnOnd stood on the pave
| mcnt and saw his dream of taking
Sidney in his arms fade into an indeti-
mite futurity.
I'm not going to give you up" he
said doggedly. "When you come back,
III be waiting"
The shock being over, and things
only postponed, he drumatized his grief
triile, thrust his hands savugely into
I his pockets and scowled down the
street. Sidney smiled up ut him.
Good night, joe"
Good night. I say, Sidney, It's
more than half an engagement. Won't
YOU Kiss me gO0d-night?"
She leSitatrd flushed and pnlpitut-
ing. Perhaps, after all, her first kiss
would have gone without her heart
gone out of sheer pity. But a tall fig
ure loomcd out Of the shadows and
approached with quick strides.
1 "The roomer" cried Sidney. and
backed away.
"D--n the roomer!"
| The rO0mcr advanced steadily
| "h"h he reached the doorstep, Sidney
was demurely seated and quite alone.
The roomer looked very warm. He
carried suitcase, which was as It
should be. The men of the Street A.
ways carried their own luggage, except
the younger Wilson across the wnv.
His thstes were known to be luxurious.
Hot, isn't it?" Sidney incurred
after formal greeting. She indicated
the place on the step just vacated by
Joe. You'd better cool off out here.
The house is like an oven. / think
Shouid nave warned you of that before
YOU took the room. These little houses
Wlth low roofs are fenrfully hot"
The new rOomer hesitated. He did
not care 10 establish any relations with
the people in the house. Long eve
hlngs In which to read, quiet nights in
"Hlcli 10 steep ana forget-these were
The things he had come for.
But Sidney had moved over and was
smiling up at him. He folded up awk-
wardly on the low step. He seemed
much too big for the house. Sidney
hnd panicky thought of the LITTLE
room upst;irs.
Il don't mind heat. IL suppose
don't think about it," said the roomer.
rather surprised ut himself.
I'm afraid you'll be sorry you took
the ROOM"
'Ihe rooiner smiled In the shadow.
I'm beginning to think TINT Won are
sorry"
His Quick mind grasped the fact that
lt was the girls bedroom he had taken.
Other things he had gathered that aft
ernoon from the humming of sewing
machine, from Sldney's businesslike
way OF renting the little room, from
the glimpse of woman in sunny
window, bent over needle. Genteel
poverty was what It meant, and moro
the constant drain of dishenrtened
mlddle-hgcd women on the youth and
courage OF the girl beside him.
II. lie Moyne, who was living hls
own tragedy those days, what with
poverty and other things, swore quiet
oath to be no further weight on the
girls buoyant spirit. He had no in
'rnti"n of letting the Street encroach
on him. He had built up wall be- |
tween himself and the rest of the |
world. and he would not scale If Rut
ne hrld no grudge against 1t. Let 9th |
"rS get what they could out of living
Sidney, suddenly practical, broke in
on his thoughts
where are you gong to get your
mcals!"
II hadn't thought about it. con
sop III somewhere on my way down
Town. work In the gas ofice-I don't
believe told YOU"
ITS very bad for you" said Sidney.
with decision. ut leads to sloyeniv
habits, such as going without when
you're In hurry, and that sort Of
thing. The only thing Is to have some
one expecting you at q certain time"
1T sounds like marriage" He was
lazily amused.
1T sounds like Mrs. McKee's board
ing house at the corner. Twentv.onc
meals for five dollars, and your ticket
is good nntI &c, ,,,,,,.ln1 I