Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1918-07-18
CXLIII

CXL1II
PEFoRE left the house this morning
~ Francis came to me and said. II
nave to go to Springfield Saturday on
business Why don't you try to go Up
there with me? It's nice trip"
What time are you going to leavep"
I asked.
FIRST thing in the morning. so as to
get there at 10 o'clock, and / shall be
through at II o'clock,
Gee! Id like it IL 7 could get ofr e.
ana then 1t occurred to me how silly IL
seemed to go that long trip just to have
couple OF hours in Springfield. so I
added: But 1t hardly seems worth the
! expense for such little time"
We'll of course, It is an expense for
so short time. but perhaps we ca, fnd
somewhere to stay over the week -end
et me think, he muscd. perhaps I
can think of some friends living earbv
whom we could visit But no. cant
think Of any one"
Then 1t occurred to me that Sprinp.
neid is less than an hours run from
meme. and / said. Lets go home,'
oh. it's all right for you to go, but
'heE would be surprised--they wouldn't
EXPECT me-" said Graham hestatingly.
All the more fun--come on. l won't
tell them word about it and we'll lust
drop In and surprise them. Will YOU
do 1t. Francis?'
He hesitated a minute before reply
ing. welfare you sure your people
| wouldn't mind?"
Sure? Why. doesn't every letter I
get from Lucy have some comment
about you in it?"
wei, II you think It wouldn't nut
them to any trouble. perhaps your sug-
gestion Is not at all n bad one BY the
way" he continued. did I tell you
had brief note from your sister a few
! days ago?'
What! Lucy wrote to you?'
YES he replied. a little bit confused.
"She wanted to know whether I would
! write and tell them how YOU are get =
ting along because you never tell them
about 1t in your letters. In fact, she
said she hoped some day you and could
get up there. so that l could tell her
! first-hand If you are really behaving
! yourself
Funny she should write to you She
never said anything to me about it. All
right. II I can get off tomorrow, well
go up home and give them Il surprise
You're sure, old man: you don't mind
coming and taking pot-luck with us?"
The smile on his face showed that he
wouldn't.
sOn my way to the Office I remembered
Sunday with Rosie Gee. but isn't it
just my luck? Something always seems
to be cropping up to spoil Rosie and me
| having n good time.
| l asked Mr.. Goldman. agents manager
of the Magnitude Life Insurance Com
pany. II I could have Saturday off.
! He said. You're asking for time off
very early in the game. aren't your
We'll. I want to- go UP home and see
my people. They live in Farmdale. you
know, and it's a long trip for one day"
said. "All right
Rosie was quite meek when told her
| had to go up home for the weekend.
! "Why don't you take me up with you,
7 Pote, dear? Do you think you are play
ing on the level with me? Here's you
and mes engaged and you won't tell
| your folks. What's the reason, old
| dear? Aren't l good enough to meet
your people?"
! She was so sad and wistful about it
! that assured her she was good enough
| to meet the very best in the land.
"Will you promise to take me up the
next time you go. Peter. and let me
meet your mother?"
III it's at all possible" I said. kind
| Of lodging the question.
"All right, Peter, I'll be satisfied. but
will you promise ME one thing: that
!ou'll tell your folks when you see them
that you're engaged? And Peter. dear
old Pete. want to have my chance!
'If I'd only had some education and a
| decent home. God Peter, It's
hell for a girl to be dragged up like I've
been and then to suddenly know that