The Washington times., 1918-08-04

not going TO be easy, for Henry c. Pilkins
had kind heart. He knew that what he
must 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 if he did
not look at her. He felt rather than saw
her take hold of the arms Of the old rock
ing chair, and he thought he detected
sudden catch in her voice. which started
him to talking -agsin-blundering along
TO cover an awkward pause.
~Circletown is only a small place, you
know, Jennie. It's all right, and a good
little town, but it's only a whistling sta
ton, and can't stay here. There's no
future in a small town. Why, you can
see that YOURSELF
But you're coming back?"
Miss Purcell's tone inferred that there
could be no question about it. Mr. Pill
kins caught 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 it.
Henry had been very attentive to Jen-
ME Purcell for 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.
He had laid strong stress on the beauty
of friendship between a young man and
young woman.
Where are you going, Henry?" she
swer the first question.
I'm going" said Mr.. Pilkins,' TO the
only town where a smart fellow has
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"
New York" said Miss Purcell, as if it
might have been Kamchatka.
Then there was a long pause, while
Mr.. PiIkins tortured his hat and thought
Of something that would be comforting
still and fumbled the silver locket which
he had given her on her birthday.
Anyway" said she at last, "Cleve-
lands nearer!"
HUH" said Henry. "Cleveland's only
a village to the big town. If you're going
to do thing, do it right! I'm going to
New York because that's where everybody
says / belong"
4 never said So" said Miss Purcell
quietly.
But don't you think | ought to have
a chance?" asked Mr.. Pilkins earnestly.
81 might stay here all my life, and what
would l have? A house over on Street,
with green blinds, and Gala lilies in the
garden. and a stone dog on the front steps.
Now, in New York; And Mr.. PIlkins
held on this subject for ten minutes.
But. you're coming back?" repeated
Miss Purcell.
Sure" said Henry heartily. When
I've landed over there, Ill come back
for visit"
Aldreay he rsaw a picture of himself
slighting from the accommodation train,
frock-coated. silk-hatted. and kid-gloved.
And there would be a cane-of course,
there would be cane with a gold head.
Jim Green. the fresh station-agent who
thought pretty well of Jennie Purcell-,Iim
would say:
Why. hello, 1t cant be Henry. 1t
is, Well. we'll, You look just like ready
money!"
When he went away Henry held Miss
Purcelrs hand long enough to decide that
it would not be wise to kiss her. His cold
Judgment triumphed over his warm. SYM
pathetic nature. She might have clune to
him and cried. Experience told him that
Henry had seen them cry before and he
believed that on the whole Miss Purcell
stood the shock rather well.
The night before Henry left Circletown,
MS friends gave him Danquer-rney caIIed
It stalking him to the eats"-in the empty
room over Archie's All-Night Restaurant.
Jim Green, who acted as POSTMASTER, laid
Two fingers Of his right hand on the table
and made a neat little speech, at the end
If which he presented Mr.. Pilkins with
an elegant rolled gold watch fob-a bull
dogs head with large red eyes-the gift
of his Circletown friends.
Henry choked as he listened. He felt
very sorry for his friends, for they would
be smalltown fellows all their lives He