South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1918-07-27
East and West
BY Hilds Morris

ness that made hem quarrel. Meth
er one OF them cared half so much
for anything else. cities included. as
for the other. Yet they quarreled,
as lovers sometimes will. and Anne
gave Billy back his ring.
If we can't agree now" she said.
We shall never be able 20 do so.
It's better TO end Il"
So il was ended. and Billy went
back 20 the city OF his hearts de-
sire
It was strange how empty New
York seemed after he had left Even
Fifth Avenue had lost its charm.
There is no use gazing through shop
windows at delectable hats and
blOuses If there is 10 one who cares
particularly whether one looks nice
or not
And the river. too, seemed less
lovely. Somehow the streets were
too crowded. Was il possible that
she would like his city any better?
However. she and Billy would never
have been able 10 agree, it was bet
ter that they had parted He was
a dear boy, but not for her.
Billy. too. found that during his
absence Chicago had taken on a
different aspect entirely, grayer
dirtier. more sordid. Here one did
not feel, as in New York, that ro-
nance lurked around every corner.
And the girls on Michigan boulevard
were not as attractive as he had re-
membered them. Perhaps Anne had
been right and he should have liked
New York better. However. as long
as they had not been able TO agree
Anne's mother noticed that she
was getting thinner, and Bnly's
grandmother with whom ne lived.
bought him a spring tonic. but he
did not seem 10 improve. Some
times he sat for hours al a table
writing long letters which he after
wards tore up. And Anne. mean
while was lying awake az night
planning just what she should write
TO Billy n she should write. ever.
There came a day in May when
Anne felt that she simply could not
face the world with a smile. II was
the day when she and Billy would
have been married if it had not been
for that stupid quarrel Her head
ached. she had not slept the night
before. and she wanted 10 he alone.
TO think So she phoned her office
that she was i'll and could not come.
Her mother and aunt went out to a
Red Cross meeting and she sat alone
in the tiny living-room that gave
a birds-eye view Of the great river.
il seemed as If she fairly hated that
river. it had helped to separate her
from Billy. oh, IF she only dared
write 70 him. ask him to come back.
II it were not for her stupid. stub
born pride,
A sudden peal Of the bell aroused
her. she went to the speaking tube.
A mufhed male voice replied. and
Anne YEARLY punched the entrance
button.
"Proba bly, the gas-man." she
thought YEARLY
When she opened Ier front door
II was no gas-man who stood there.
but a tall. strange figure in khaki
Anne looked in daze. then all the
Joy in her being flooded back to her
face and voice
Billy" she cried.
Without waiting 10 close the door
ne took her in his arms.
IL did not take long for the NUT
ual confessions. regrets and apollo
gies which each had stored up.
There were more urgent matters to
discuss.
Il had 10 enlist. Anne. before the
draft made me And I couldn't 20
away to France without seeing you
again. After all it doesn't matter
where you are. II matters who you're
with Oh Anne, I've wanted you so,''
And I have learned that 7 could
be happy on desert island with
YOU, and misera bic without you any
France"
When I come back" he said so
gravely that a thrill crept over her,
I'VE shall live wherever you choose.
dearest. We needn't settle that
now"
And I shall be happier here.
knowing that you love me that !
have a soldier 70 work and hope
fOr-''
This is our wedding day. Anne
I wonder if you could marry me be
fore I go away?"
Gould ]? she cried her ewes
shining. "Just--just wait Bill