The evening herald. [volume] (Albuquerque, New Mexico) 1914-1922, 1918-08-17

had a Kind heart. lie knew that what he
mus, say to Jennie Purcell would cause
her deep and perhaps permanent grief At
last he found his voice.
Jennie. I'm going away from this
place."
He did not look at her. intuition told
him that she might bear It better II he did
not look at her. lie felt rather than saw
her take hold Of the arms Of the old rock
ing chair. ana he thought he detected a
sudden catch IN her voice. which started
him to talking again Numbering along
to cover an awkward pause.
"Circletown IL only a small place. you
know Jennie. IT'S an right. and "a good
little town. but It's only a whistling sta.
ton. and-l cant stay here There's 40
future IN a small town Why. you ,an
see that yourself-
Blu you're coming back?
Miss Purcells tone inferred that there
could be no question about IT, Mir pil
kihs taught a note OF entreaty. That was
the worst Of this girl business A fellow
couldn't walk out with "a nice girl without
setting the gossips to talking That Was
The small town OF ~
Henry had been very attentive to Jen.
nie Purcell Tor almost a year During
that time he had been more than careful
not to say anything that could be con.
strued into a declaration of serious Intent.
lie had laid strong stress on the beauty
Of friendship between u young man and u
young woman.
where are YOU going. iienry?" she
Isked after vainly waiting for him to an.
aver the first question
I'm going, said Nj pilkins. to The
only town whore a smart fellow has a
chance Me for New York Half the
smart men IN that town are from the
middle West. Wise men don't come
West any more they go East and get the
money
"Ncw York said Miss Purcell as ii It
might have been Komchutka
Then there was @ LONG pause white
Mr. rlkins tortured his hat ANA thought
Of something that would be conforms
ana n-on-committal Miss Purcell sat very
still and fumblod the silver iocket which
he had given her on her birthday.
Anyway" said she at last. 'Cleye.
lands neareri"
"Huhl" said Henry. "Cleveland's olly
a village to the big town. II you're going
TO do a thing. do It eight! I'm going to
New York because that's whore everybody
says | belong"
Il never said SO" said Miss Purcell
quietly.
But don't you think / ought to have
a chance?" asked Mr.. Pnlins earnestly.
u might stay here all my life, and what
would have? A house over on u Street,
with, green blinds. aud Gala lilies In the
garden. and a stone dog on the front steps.
Now, In New York; And Nh Pilkins
held on This subject TOR ten minutes
but. you're coming back" repeated
Miss Purcell
Sure" said Henry heartily. When
i've landed over there, III come back
Tor a visit"
Aldreay he rsaw a picture OF himself
from the accommodation train.
frock-coated. sllk-hatted, and kid.gloyed.
And there would be a cane OF course,
there would be a cane with a gold head.
Jim Green. the fresh station.agent who
thought pretty well OF Jennie Purcell-Jim
would say:
why, hellol II can't be Henryl II
Isl Well, Welt You look just like ready
money!"
When he went away Henry held Miss
hand long enough to decide that
would not be wise TO kiss her. His cold
Judgment triumphed over his warm. sym
nature. She might have olung to
him and cried. Experience told him that
Henry had seen them cry before and he
believed that ON the whole Miss Purcell
the shock rather well.
The night before Henry left Circletown,
his friends gave him n banquet-tley oalied
I Stalking him to the eats'-ln the empty
loom over Arohie's All-Night Restaurant.
lin Green. who acted rs POSTMASTER, laid
.wo fingers OF his right hand on the table
md made a neat little speech. at the end
)f which he presented Mr.. Pilklns with
IN elegant rolled gold watch tob-a bull.
hogs head with large red eyes-ths gift
OF his Clrcletown friends.
Henry choked as no listened. lie felt
'ery sorry for HIS friends. for they would
DO smalLtown fellows all their lives. lie
would find them here when he came back.
they sang AUD Lang syne." and
Henry talked for ten minutes. completely
IlaRaAa nua.I.Wt. 80.