The Irish standard., 1916-12-02
p'Why Did You Think ! Was Enaaaed1''
She Insisted.

she insisted.
doorstep, that Sidneys mind had trav-
eled far away to shining floors and
rows Of white beds. "Life-in the
raw" Doctor Ed had said that other
afternoon. Closer to her than the hos.
pital was life in the raw that night.
So, even here, on this quiet street in
this distant city, there was to be no
peace. Max Wilson just across the
way! lit was ironic. Was there no
place where man could lose himself!
He would have to move on again, of
course.
But that, it seemed, was just what
he could not do. For:
II want to ask you something, and
hope you'll be quite frank" said Sid.
ney.
Anything that I can do"
cts this. If you are comfortable,
and-and like the room and all that, /
wish you'd stay" She hurried on: IF
could feel that mother had de-
pendable person like you in the house,
1t would all be easier"
"But-forgive my asking; I'm really
fnterested-can your mother manage?
You'll get practically no money during
your training"
"Ive thought of that. A friend of
mine. Christine Lorenz, is going to be
married. Her people are wealthy, but
she'll have nothing but what Palmer
makes. Shed like to have the parlor
and sitting room behind. They wouldn't
interfere with you at ALL" she added
hastily. "Christine's father would
build little balcony on the side for
them, a sort of porch, and they'd sit
there in the evenings"
Behind Sidney's carefully practical
tone the man read appeal. Never be-
fore had he realized how narrow the
girls world had been. The Street,
with but one dimension bounded it (!
In her perplexity she was appealing to
him who was practically a stranger.
And he knew then that he must do
the thing she asked. He, who had fled
so long, could roam no more. Here
on the Street. with it's menace Just
nc-oss, he must live, that she might
work. In his world men had worked
that women might live in certain
places, certain ways. This girl was
going out to earn her living, and he
would stay to make it possible. But
no hint of all this was in his voice.
Il shall stay, Of course" he said
gravely. "I-this is the nearest thing
to home that I've known for a long
time. I want you to know that"
"You are very good to me-" said Sid
ney.
When she rose, K. LIE Moyne sprang
to his feet.
Anna had noticed that he always
rose when she entered his room-with
fresh towels on Katie's day out, for in.
stance-and she liked him for it. Years
ago the men she had known had shown
this courtesy to their women; but the
Street regarded such things as affecta.
ton.
II wonder if you would do me an.
other favor? I'm afraid you'll take to
avoiding me, If I keep on
II don't think you need fear that"
"This stupid story about Joe Drum.
mond-rm not saying I'll never marry
him, but I'm certainly not engaged.
Now and then, when you are taking
your evening walks, If you would ask
me to walk with you"
K. looked rather dazed.
II can't imagine anything pleasant
er; but I wish you'd explain just
how"
Sidney smiled at him. As he stood
on the lowest step their eyes were
almost level.
IF I walk with you they'll know I'm
not engaged to joe" she said, with en-.
gaging directness.
The house was quiet. He waited in
the lower hall until she had reached
the top Of the staircase. For some curl.
Gus reason, in the time to come, that
was the way Sidney always remem.
bered X. LIE Moyne-standing in the
little hall, one hand upstretched to
shut off the gas overhead, and his eyes
on hers above.
"Good night" said K. LIE Moyne.
And all the things he had put out OF
his life were in his voice.