Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1917-06-17

into the sand on either side of him and
stared al her with his heart in his look.
Not quite happy" Molly admitted.
There are things ! don't understand.
Life seems to be becoming little diff
ferent from anything l expected, some
how, and I don't like it. Oh. Percy.
why can't things always go on being
NICE"
They're never nice at all for some
OF US" sad Percy. little unsteadily.
There are fellows who never get any
thing. And after all. Brent is engaged
to you. isn't hec You've never told me
but I couldn't help guessing. Can't
YOU trust me. Molly?"
Molly turned her eyes on him, and
through the thick covering OF her pre-
occupation with her own feelings she
was vaguely aware that he, too. seemed
troubled. 1t was certainly very nice of
dear old Percy to mind about her hap
piness SO much. 1t would be idle to
pretend that Molly did not know that
Percys affection for her was not of
the same quality as hers for him, or
that the knowledge did not give her
certain half-shamed pleasure. Passion
was such an unknown quantity to her
that she hardly understood even that it
existed. and though Percy himself
would have been slightly shocked at
the connection of passion with Molly.
vet in the nature of things his love for
her was not without it.
You are a dear boy. Percy" said
Molly, and put her hand on his wrist.
Yes, Chris and have been engaged
since the beginning of the summer. |
i wanted to keep it to ourselves for
a while. because it seemed too beautiful
to spoil by telling. And then the war
broke out and father took a dislike 10
Chris because of his not enlisting,
and So
Percy's fingers clutched into the sand.
then gave up the struggle and. emerE-
ing. took hold of Molly's.
Molly" he began. II can't bear
YOU not to be happy. Don't be angry
You won't be happy with Brent. You
can't be. He's an awfully attractive
chap and all that, but he's not the
sort of fellow to make woman happy,
and oh, Molly. do care about you most
frightfully: on my word l do: | always
have. Won't you give me chance:
Just let me try and see if can't make
you happy"
The quick blood flew into Molly's
cheeks and she pulled her hand away;
perpleXities led her into. She was be
ing disloyal to Chris and making Percy
unhappy 1t only showed how uh
safe it was TO get thinking about
her old allegiance. She cav Chris as
misunderstood by all save her. He was
too fine a nature for the rest of the
world to appreciate. The ingenious
simplicity or Percy seemed clumslhess
i'll comparison.
oh, Percy. how can you, You
mustn't" she stammered. I'm aw-
fully sorry. l never thought mean
I'm awfully fond of you. of course.
but not in that way" Molly was say
became dimly aware of it, and aware:
too. that the genuine quality OF
Percy's feeling deserved something
better. She put out her hand again
and this time took his. She could
think Of nothing to say. but Percys
miserable young face made her feel
very unhappy. Her lips trembled: she
did the wisest thing she could have
done to put an end to the situation and
distract Percy from his feelings. She
burst into tears.
Molly. my darling. don't cry" begged
the distracted Percy, kneelinG up IN the
sand and dahbing at her eyes with khaki
silk handkerchief she herself had given
him: Don't cry What a brute am For,
get 1t, dear, 1t only makes you unhappier.
Soon Moilys sobs died down and she
smiled wanly. Its all right. Percy. I'm
sorry to have been SO silly. but I'm feel
ing upset today. IL think We had better
go back"
Percy got to his feet and helped her
up. then. still holding her hand as he
stood looking at her for a minute.
Molly. just promise me this he urged,
lf you should find you are not happy in
your present engagement. you will tell
me. won't you. and let me have my
chance?"
I'm afraid I'd sooner be unhappy with
Chris than happy with any one else in
the world"
Still. promise me-"
IF do you mustn't count on 1t, Percy,
will you? Because it's quite. quite impos-
sible; it can't ever happen
All right. them he said more gayly.
we'll leave it at that. If the impossible
happens. as it often has before now. you'll
tell me about it, honest 1niun?'
Honest Injun." promised Molly. Now
l must go home''
But Percy still kept hold of her hand.
IL say. Molly" he begged. Won't you?
just one-you never have
But in Mollys eyes "A kiss was still n
supremely important thing. ''Oh. Percy.
how can you? 1t wouldn't be right. Nobody
ever has except Chris,r
1T wouldn't hurt him, and it wouldn't
hurt YOU. and it would do me no end of
good-it would. really. Ever such little
one MollyT'
Molly hesttated. She had always been