Eagle River review. [volume] (Eagle River, Wis.) 1890-1927, 1917-03-02
CHAPTER vIi-continued.


-
All the small loose ends OF her lie
we're gathered up-except joe she
would have liked to get that clear, too'
She wanted him to know how she felt
about it all--that she liked MIN as
much as ever, that she die not want
to hurt him. But she wanted TO make
it clear, too, that she knew now tnat
she would never marry him. she
thought she would never marry, out.
If she did, it would be man doing g
mans work in the world. Her eyes
turned wistfully to the house across
the Street.
KS lamp still burned overhead, but
his restless tramping about had ceased.
he must be reading he read great
deal. She really ought TO go to bed.
A neighborhoOd cat came steaithily
across the Street, and stared up at the
little balcony with green-glowing eyes.
''Colne on, Bill Taft she said.
Come on
Joe Drummond, passing the house
for the fourth time that evening,
heard her voice. and hesltated uncer-
tainly on the pavement
''.Joe! Come in"
tits late: I'd better get home"
The misery in his voice hurt her.
'Til not keep you long. 1 want to
talk to you"
He came slowly toward her.
stlyo1I ~ ho cold hnoTSoIv
why haven't you been to see me?
If / have done anything" Her voice
was a-tingle with virtue and outraged
friendship.
You haven't done anything but
show me where | get off,
He SAT down on the edge of the bal
cony and stared out blankly.
IF that's the way you feel about
it"
"I'm not blaming you. was fool
to think you'd ever care about me.
/ don't know that feel so bad-about
the thing. I've been around seeing
some other girls, and notice they're
glad to see me. and treat, me right,
too" There was boyish bravado in
his voice. "But what makes me sick
is to have everyone saying you've jilt-
ed me-
Good gracious Why, Joe, | never
promised
"Well, we look at it in different
ways: that's all. | took it for prom
ise."
Then suddenly all his carefully con-
served Indifference fed. He bent for
ward quickly, and catching her hand,
held it against his lips.
I'm crazy about you, Sidney. That's
the truth | wish could die y
The cat, finding no active antago-
nism, sprang up on the balcony and
rubbed against the boys quivering
shoulders; breath Of air stroked the
morning glory vine like the touch of a
friendly hand. Sidney, facing for the
first time the enigma of love and de-
spair, sat, rather frightened, in her
chair.
You don't mean that =
II mean it, all right If it wasn't
for the folks, I'd jump in the river. |
lied when l said I'd been to see other
girls. What do | want with other
girls? want your
''This is wild, silly talk. You'll be
sorry tomorrow
'sIt's the truth" doggedly.
But he made clutch at his self
respect. He was acting like crazy
boy, and he was man, all of twenty
two!
When are you going to the hospi-
tal?"
Tomorrow"
rs that Wilson'S hospital?"
sYes.n
Alas for his resolvel The. red haze
of jealousy came again. you'll be see
ing him every day, / suppose"
4 dare say. | shall also be seeing
twenty on thirty other doctors, and a
hundred or SO men patients, not to
mention visitors. Joe, you're not ra-
tional"
No" he said heavily, "I'm not, &c
It's got TO be someone, Sidney, I'd
rather have it the rooIner upstairs
than Wilson. There's a lot of talk
about Wilson"
1T isn't necessary to malign my
friends"
He rose.