The central record. (Lancaster, Ky.) 18??-current, 1918-08-08
THE GIRL
BY MILDRED WHITE


in soldier erectness, now dropped as
his eyes followed the line Of road. 1t
was over at last, his one dream OF
love.
Billy's life. before the girl had come
into 1t, had been a routine Of home
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,
aud had by chance included him in her
cursOry gaze. Then something dor
mant had leaped to life In Billy's heart.
He had heretofore scoffed at love at
first slght-"imaginary nonsense" the
matter of fact Billy had called it-but
on this occasion he turned to COM
panion..
"Whoi" he demanded confusingly,
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 frcttcd 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 late hour
that night, making various possible
plans to gain the coveted acqualnt-
ance. his chief difficulty being the
removed social position Of the Hunters.
Long had the wealthy copper mans
family lorded II over their towns
people, and Billy was decidedly out Of
class. The girl too, his friend con-
fided. "came from wealthy family"
And though Billy was poor. pauper,
no doubt she would consider him. here
was the love Of one night, laughing at
obstacles and scheming for victory.
But Bllly's best laid plans failed utter
ly, until the night OF his enlistment.
A reception was given to the boys
preparing to answer their country's
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-
ward him, and he was ready, with a
reassuring greeting.
81 want to shake hands with our
soldiers" the girl said. II want to wish
you we'll"
II was the companion again, who In
troduced them. And Billy had been
privileged to see her few times since.
These chance meetings were his rosary |:
happily he counted them ''o'er and
DER" while nearer came the time Of
his departure for camp.
Striding savagely about the room.
Billy acknowledged that so few meet
ings could not justify a confession Of
love, and he further bitterly realized.
that his position could never warrant
that confession. So Billy had hidden
the giri good-oye, ho,d'hs ner manu- 10
me e'asp 0, ir'enu' anu inui''ur'uk
I'm. y nau o.en p'as ~ nv"
-. 49,.
o w.. =, ,as
~ an 10 NM. - .,.',,s
an o,.', anu ' nv e -,
"Rad Cross Renef,t Lawn Fete ~ and in
hone that no might 500 tho Girl once
mare ba loft his car and passed In he
meath the hunting
Rpt his searching ewes were unre-
w.rded Refore him n pvpsy tent
aounted nm Invitation. Come in and
have your fortune told" and Billy went
inside. Then for a moment he stood,
his heart pounding maddeningly, for
Il WINS the idealized girl herself, who
I'm charming gypsy costume melt In
the center of the tent.
"yorr ,or,,,o s,r,- osrod tho or,
and ,hsre wos M rscognI,,on In her
nro,essio,a, gaze
S