The daily commonwealth. (Greenwood, Leflore Co., Miss.) 1916-1919, 1917-03-06
the TEST
BY EARL REED slLvgRs.


Eleanor Rileigh had been at the sea
shore for exactly thirteen days. Hell
vacation was rapidly approaching Its
close and Eleanor was troubled. She
did not want to 60 back again to the
hustle and hustle Of the city; she want
ed to stay at Seacliffe, where she could
see Ned Stanley every morning. noon
and night. For Eleanor had begun to
care very much for Ned. and IN her
heart OF hearts she admitted to herself
that she hoped Ned had begun to care
for her.
It had been a wonderful week. Dur
ing the first part of her stay at Sea-
cliffe Eleanor had simply sat around
the hotel porch, dressed In the proper
gowns, doing the proper things In the
proper way. But Just a week ago Ned
had appeared. and after that things
were different.
Eleanor gazed thoughtfully over the
sun-kissed ocean. She looked rather
hopefully up and down the broad piaS-
"a, but the object Of her thoughts was
nowhere to be seen. He was late for
supper. but directly after the meal
he met her on the steps Of the hotel.
"Hello. little lady in white" was
his method Of greeting. "What shall
we do tOnight?"
"Just stay around, l guess" Her
blue eyes rested q~uestioningly On his.
'Don't you want TOT"
II sure do" There was the slight
est hint Of laughter in his voice. 1T
means the last time we will be to-
gether In Seaclife."
"We've had a wonderful time, haven't
wei" She seated herself behind him
on the porch.
"Just f1ne." He spoke enthusias.
tically. "But we're going to keep right
having good times. aren't we"
do you mean after w go back to
the city,"
"Of COURSE"
She smiled a little twisted smile
which bordered on the pathetic.
"Oh, you know how things always
are after summer vacation. People
forget"
but we're not going to-" He spoke
earnestly. "Surely wellsse each other
In New York."
"But how about all the girls you
told me about; girls in your W
set, like Gladys Romaine and Beverly
Baldwin,"
"1,hey don't count now" he said.
"But they will count" she persisted.
want to 60 to dances and house
just as you used to, and you'll
all about this summer-and
He smiled away her doubts.
II couldn't forget about you," he
said.
"All right, let's don't talk about It,"
She laughed lightly, but her eyes were
troubled.
Side by side they made their way
INTO the ballroom, and it was not until
after midnight that Eleanor reverted
the conversation of the early. eve
1ing.
'.This is u last time together" she
laid softly.
"What do you mean?" He looked up
"After tonight you mustn't see me
my more" She tried to speak casu-
lily, but there was a tremor in her
'oice which all her attempt at bravery
:ould not conceal.
"Oh, you don't mean that" he pro-
ested. II thought we were going to
lee each other lots"
mo, I-guess it's all over. after
onight."
He rose and stood so that the light
rom the moon shone directly into her
ace.
"Are you engaged?" There was q
lurt look in his eyes.
mo"
He sighed relievedly.
"Then there isn't any reason why I
ant see YOU"
There is. Won't you please take
~ word for 1t and not try TOT" she
He glanced down half angrily. Her
yes yer bordered with tears, and, as
e watched, mi large drop quivered
the moonlight and rolled down her
heeks. In an instant he was sitting
eside her, her head pillowed on his
"Oh, you mustn't see me any MORE"
he sobbed. my name isn't Eleanor
leigh at all; it's just plain. Ellen
eilly, and I'm a stenographer down
,wn."
He raised her face to his.
sand do you think that will, make
ny d%ifference?"
Eyes, 1t WILL" Her hand rested on I
IS arm. IF you were only like people f,
things would be all rights But y
,u're not, you're RICH" (
"You mustn't talk like that. DEAR"
. said softly. Il love you; that's all, I
mt matters" &c." y
Through q veil Of tears she smiled, !
, at him. {
."And you care, no matter what I 4