Tulsa daily world. [volume] (Tulsa, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1905-1919, 1917-06-24

She's very fascinating think; don't
you Percy?"
81 don't care for red hair myself
replied the Philistine; besides she's
so old and l like woman to dress
more quietly, l must say" Percy
came from the suburb as the Pollocks
and. while his ideas on the way a girl
should dress were rightly taken from
Mollys pretty but simple frocks. his
notions OF what was becoming to an
older woman were unfortunately de-
rived from long intercourse with his
mother.
Curiously enough. instead OF being
relieved by Percys verdict, Molly was
depressed still further by it, for she
could see that it was not lack OF
charm on Mrs. Lees part. but the in
telligence to appreciate 1t upon Pen
nicuik's that made his opinion.
She's very fascinating, just the
same" persisted Molly stoubbornly.
Il think so, anyway; and so does
Chris" She threw this remark off
casually, as who should say. You see
how broad minded | am. | quite real
iZe that he sees things to admire in
other women and l don't mind 1t a
bit"
'"Then he oughn't to-" said Percy,
whose opinions on the personal equa :
tions of love and marriage were the
same as Molly's. And you know you
don't quite like 1t. either" he went on,
about IT and about everything else
Molly. you aren't happy. I'm sure
You are not, and l can't tell you how
rotten 1t makes me feel. I'd do any
thing to make you happy. you know -
They had come to a place where q
winding path led down the low. sandy
cliff to the beach. and both instinc'
lively turned their steps toward 1t
Conversation was not possible while
Percy was helping Molly down tho
steep path. The soft, powdery sand
at the cliffs foot looked so inviting
that they sat down on 1t to rest for a
while. Molly's fingers played mechan-
ically with tuft of rustling THRIFT
and she stared out at the blue bu,
slightly misty horizon with troubled
eyes. Percy, sitting beside her, was
acutely conscious of her nearness and
of the slender curve of her throat and
chin and her soft, dropping mouth
He plunged his hands deep into the
sand on either side of him and stared
at her with his heart in his look.
Not quite happy" Molly admitted
There are things | don't understand
! Life seems to be becoming n little diff
| ferent from anything | expected
somehow, and | don't like it. Oh
| Percy, why can't things always go on
being nice?"
They're never nice at all for some
of u.s." said Percy a little unsteadily
There are fellows who never get any.
thing. And after all, Brent is en-
gagged to you, isn't he? You've never
told me but I couldn't hell
guessing. Can't you trust me, Molly"
Molly turned her eyes on him, and
thru the thick covering of her preoc'
cupation with her own feelings she
was vaguely aware that he, too
seemed troubled. 1t was certainly
very nice of dear old Percy to mint
| about her happiness so much. i
would be idle TO pretend that MOLLY
did not know that Percy's affection
for her was not of the same quality
as hers for him, or that the knowledge
| did not give her certain half-shamet
pleasure. Passion was such an un
known quantity to her that she hardl,
understood even that 1t existed. ant
l tho Percy himself would have beer
slightly shocked at the connection o
| passion with Molly. yet in the nature
OF things his love for her was no
without it.
you are a dear, Percy" said Molly
and put her hand on his wrist. Yes
Chris and | have been engaged since
the beginning of the summer. /
wanted to keep it to ourselves for ;
while, because 1t seemed too beautiful
to spoil by telling. And then the wa
| broke out and father took n dislike t
| Chris because of his not enlisting, an'
| so
Percy's fingers clutched into thu
sand, then gave up the struggle and
emerging, took hold Of Mollys.
Molly" he began. Il can't bea
you not to be happy. Don't be angr!
with me for saying it. but I'm. SUR
you won't be happy with Brent. Yol
can't be. He's an awfully attractive
chap and all that. but he's not III
sort of fellow to make woman
happy, and oh. Molly, do care abou
you most frishtfully, on my word
do; / always have. Won't you giv'
me chance? Just let me try ant
sec II I can't make you happy"
The quick blood flew into Molly