The Pulaskian., 1917-04-20
 4 thrilling mystery story about q man t0ho lost his courage and the girl who helped him t. .fndd again

l
 Don't be silly. love having you. l 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 herT
 Every man! How many men are supposed to care for a woman, any, how?'
 "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 foolishness?" His voice was unsteady.
 "Oh, 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 it's dingy lamps and blossoming ailanthus, lay the world that was one day to lie to her hand. Not ambition called her, but life.
 The boy was different. Where her future lay visua1ized 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, palpitat- 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. It tempted him.
 Don't read that nonsense" he said, his eyes on the arm. "And-rll never outgrow my foolishness about you, Sid- ney."
 Then, because he could not help it, he bent over and kissed her arm.
 She was just eighteen, and Joes de- votion was very pleasant. She thrilled to the touch of his lips on her flesh l; but she drew her arm away.
 'Please-I don't like that sort of thing.''
 "Why not?'' His voice was husky.
 Tt 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 to the neighborS' curi- osity appealed suddenly to her sense of humor. She threw back her head and laughed. He joined her, after an uncomfortable moment. But he was very much in earnest. He sat-, bent forward, turning his new straw hat in his hands.
 "I thought, perhaps" said Joe, grow ing red and white, and talking to the hat, "that some day, when we're older, you-you might be willing to marry me, Sid. I'd be awfully good to you"
 It hurt her to say no. Indeed, she could not bring herself to say it. In all her short life she had never willfully inflicted a wound. And because she was young, and did not realize that there is a short cruelty, like the sur geon's, that is mercy in the end, she l tempOrized.
 "There Is such lot of time before we need think of such things! Can't we just go on the way we are?"
 .Tm not very happy the way we are.''
 "Why, Joel"
 She leaned over and put tender hand on his arm.
 1 T don't want to hurt you; but, Joe, I don't want to be engaged yet. don't want to think about marrying. There's such a lot to do in the world first. There's such lot to see and be-"
 "WhereY he demanded bitterly. Here on this Street? Do you want more time to pull hastings for your mother? Or to slave for your Aunt Harriet? Or to run up and down stairs, carrying towels to roomers? Marry me and let me take care of you"
 Once again her dangerous sense of humor threatened her. He looked SO boyish, sitting there with the moon- | light on his bright hair, so inadequate to carry out his magnificent offer. Two or three of the star blossoms from the tree had fallen on his head. She lifted them carefully away.
 ssLet me take care of myself for while. I've never lived my own life. l You know what I mean. I'm not un- happy; but I want to do something. And some day I shall-not anything big know I can't do that-but some thing useful. Then, after years and years, if you still want me, I'll come back to you."
 He drew long breath and got up. All the joy had gone out of the sum- mer night for him, poor lad. He | glanced down the Street, where Pal mer Howe had gone home happily with Sidney's friend Christine. Palmer would always know how he stood with Christine. . But Sidney was not like that. A fellow did not even caress her easily, When he had only kissed her o~,, Fla frembIed a little at the