Bryan daily eagle and pilot. [volume] (Bryan, Tex.) 1909-1918, 1916-11-13

But, nj ner rect, WIN ner BOIt SklrtS
touching him as she moved, her eager
face turned to him, he was miserably
speechless.
Unexpectedly, Sidney yawned. He
was outraged.
'If you're sleepy"
"D0n't be silly. love having you,
I sat up late last night, reading. I
wonder what you think Of this: One
Of the characters In the book I was
reading says that every man who
who cares for woman leaves his mark
on her!"
"Every mani How many men are
supposed to care for a woman, any
hOwW
"Well, there's the boy who-likes her
when they're both young"
A bit of innocent mischief this, but
Joe Strengthened.
"Then they both outgrow that fool
ishness. After that there are usually
two rivals, and she marries one Of
them-that's three. And"
"Why do they always outgrow that
! foollshness?' Ills voice was unsteady.
"Oh, l don't know. Ones ideas
change"
Sidney was fairly vibrant with the
zest Of living. Sitting on the steps Of
the little brick house. her busy mind
was carrying her on to where, beyond
the Street, with Its dlngy lamps and
blossoming ailanthus, lay the world
that was one dry to lie TO her hand.
Not ambition called her, but life.
The boy was different. Where her
future lay visualized before her, heroic
deeds, great ambitions, wide charity,
he planned years with her, selfish, con.
tented years. As different as Snug. sat
isfied summer from visionary. palpltat-
ing spring. he was for her-but she
was for all the world.
by shifting his position his lips
came close TO her bare young arm. II
tempted him.
Don't read that nonsense" he said,
his eyes on the arm. "And-I'll never
outgrow my foolkhness about you, Sid.
ney."
Then. because he could not help II,
he bent over and kissed her arm.
She was just eighteen, and Joe's de-
votlon was very pleasant. She thrilled
TO the touch Of his lips ON her flesh
bur she drew her arm aWay.
"Please-I don't like that sort OF
thing"
"Why mott" His voice was husky.
ut isn't right. Besides. the neigh,
bors are always looking out OF the win
dows."
The drop from her high standard OF
right and wrong 10 the nelghbors' curl
osity appealed suddenly To her sens,
Of humor. She threw back her head
aud laughed. lie Joined her. after nj
uncomfortable moment. But he wa.
very much in earnest. lie sat, BEN
forward, turning his new straw hat II
his hands.
Il thought, perhaps said Joe, grow
Ing red and white, and talking to IN,
hat, that some day. when we're older
you-yOu might be- willing TO marry
me, Sid. I'd be awfully good TO you
II hurt her TO say no. Indeed. sh,
could not bring herself 10 say II. In nj
her short life she had never wlllfull!
inflicted wound. And because sh,
was young. aud did not realize tina
there Is short cruelty, like the sur
gcon's, that Is mercy In the end. sh,
tcmporizcd.
There Is such lot Of time befor,
We need think Of such things! Can
We just so ON the way we arcI"
I'm not very happy the way W
are"
"why. Jocr
She leaned over and put tende
hand on his arm.
Il don't want 10 hurt you: but, 10,
I don't want to be engaged yet. don
want TO think about marrying. There
such lot 10 do In the world first
There's such lot to see and be-"
"Whcrcf" he demanded bitterly
"lIcrc on this Street, DO you wan
more time TO pull hastings for you
mothcri or TO slave for your Aun
llarricti or TO run up and dow
stairs, carrying towels TO roomcrs
Marry INC and let me take care O
you"
once pgnln her dangerous sense O
humor Threatened her. lie looked 3
? boyish. sitting there with the moor
= light on his bright hair. 80 inadcdunt
To carry out his magnificent oncr. Tw
or three Of the star blossoms from N
tree had fallen on his head. She life
them carefully away.
u Let me take care Of myself for
while. I've never lived my own III,
u You know what I mean. I'm not M
happy: but | want 10 do something
o And some day shall-not anythln
big: know l can't do that-but som,
thing useful. Then. after years m
y years, II you stlll want me, I'll con
u back to you"
y lie drew long breath and got N
All the Joy had gone out Of the sun
mcr night for him. poor lad. II
glanced down the Street, where Pa
y mer Howe had gone home happily Wit
u Sldncy's friend Christine. Palm,
-