The Chickasha daily express. (Chickasha, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1899-current, 1918-08-06
THE GIRL
BY MILDRED WHITE

B
Billy's life, before the girl had come
into it, had been routine of home
and duty, enjoyable enough, but after
he had seen her there was no more
/ ordinary routine, no enjoyment in any
thing but the rapture of her presence.
Yes, that is the way that Billy felt.
] She had entered the entertainment
hall Of his home Town one evening,
and had By chance included him in her
cursory gaze. Then something dor
mant had leaped to life in Billy's heart.
He had heretofore scOifed at love at
first slght-"lmaginary nonsense" the
matter of fact Billy had called it--but
on this occasion he turned to com
panion.,
"Who?' he demanded confuslngly,
but the companion understood.
Guest of the Hunters" he replied.
Suddenly, as though the girl herself
was obsessed with the same strange
magic, she looked wonderingly back
at Billy. Across her lovely face fitted
seeming glance of recognition, then
her eyes had been lowered demurely
as she passed on into a seat.
Billy fretted through the entertain
ment in his eagerness to meet her, and
fought his way through OBTAINING
friends at its conclusion, to find the
girl missing as he reached the end OF
the aisle Billy sat until a late hour
that night, making various possible
plans to gain the coveted acquaint-
ance. his chief difficulty being the
removed social position of the Hunters.
Long had the wealthy copper mans
family lorded 1t over their towns
people, and Billy was decidedly out Of
class. The girl too, his friend con-
tided, "came from a wealthy family"
And though Billy was poor, d pauper,
no doubt she would consider him, here
was the love Of one night, laughing at
obstacles and scheming for victory.
But Billy's best laid plans failed utter
ly, until the night Of his enlistment.
A reception was given to the boys
preparing to answer their countrys
call, and she was there. More beauti-
full than Billy in his wistful dreams
had fancied her, was the little guest
of the Hunters. Then again, as though
answering his silent yearning call, she
looked back into Billy's eyes, and mi
raculously crossed the room to his
side The pretty color came and went
in her cheeks as she had advanced to-
l. .1ry xsrfth n
reaSsuring greeting.
81 want to shake hands with our
soldiers" the giu said, Il want to wish
you Well"
1t was the companion again. who in
troduced them. And Billy had been
privileged to see her few times since.
These chance meetings were his rssary;
happily he counted them 'o'er and
o'er," while nearer came the time Of
his departure for camp.
Striding savagely about the room,
Billy acknowledged that so few meet
ings could pot justify confession Of
love, and he further bitterly realized,
that his position could never warrant
that confession. So Billy had hidden
the girl goodbye, holding her hand in
the clasp of friend, and murmuring
"that it had been pleasure to know
her" She had smiled brightly over
the farewell, and assured him Of her
admiration for his courage; so it was
all over, and as Billy now gloomily
rode along, he came TO the sign of the
"Red Cross Benefit Lawn Fete," and in
hope that he might see the girl once
more, he left his car and passed in be-
meath the bunting.
But his searching eyes were unre-
warded. Before him gypsy tent
tlounted an invitation, "Come in and
have your fortune told" and Billy went
inside. Then for a moment he stood,
his heart pounding maddeningly for
it was the idealized girl herself, who
in charming gypsy costume KIN In
the center of the tent.
"Your fortune sir?" asked the girl,
and there was no recognition in her
professional gaze.
Billy collected himself with an eff.
fort and held forth his hand.
The girl bent low, reading his palm,
while he longed wildly to kiss the
flowers in her hair.
Tomorrow" she began, 'you start
upon IA long journey, much of sorrow
and strife will you see, but your return
will be-triumphant, all joyful"
"Not joyful" whispered Billy. Ques.
tioning, her eyes met his. ''If the
woman l love, would be waiting to re-
ioice with me, that only could be true"
The dark eyes were sympathetic
"The woman you love has refused
your
81 have not dared to speak my love,
Billy said gently. Suddenly, tent aud
gypsy were forgotten. "But | must
tell YOU now and it doesn't matter
soon / will be away. From the mo-
ment you first turned your face tc
mine, girl, how I've loved you! Poor
and far removed from all that to which
you are accustomed, even dared tt
dream dreams which war has wisely
ended" He arose, "Good-bye."
But the girl was again on her knees
bending over his hand.
Il had not finished your fortune
she said breathlessly. "Your return
will be triumphant all joyful, becaus'