The Cordova daily times., 1919-11-07
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DAVID'S LOVE
By MILDRED WHITE.


sht "dS pOuulnB-FeDelllOD III Ter firm-pressed lips and somber eyes. Da- vid was taking too much for granted
 Just because they had been looked upon as sweethearts in their school days was no reason why the old order should continue. Abbie blamed Da- vid for the general understanding; as long as he insisted upon monopOlizing her evenings, 1t must continue. David was so dense; Abbie's ill-treatment of him could not shake his allegiance.
 She did not confess, even to herself, that this devotion had but recently caused her annoyance. Previous to the arrival of the handsome stranger she seemed to enjoy 1t.
 Abbie had not actually promised her self to David, and since the advent of J. Radford Slls she was conscious of many crudities in Davids appear ance and manner, of which she had been heretofore blissfully unaware.
 J. Radford, fastidiously correct in dress. winningly courteous in his ways, was a formidable rival. Little Abbie was very proud as she walked
 
 Mrs. Vail had taken J. Radford Sills as a summer boarder, upon his recom- mendation from an old friend of hers, now located in that same city.
 Abbie Vail had looked with awe upon their guest, the neat sleeping room seemed all at once bare and unworthy of such a presence, so she set about adorning 1t with favorite trifles of her own.
 The dining table, too, was dressed with fresh flowers, and Abbie herself, dainty always in fresh muslns. And David sat by, patient, vaguely trOu- bled at her alOOfness. Abbie wOn- dered, with a thrill, what it might be like to be loved by a superior be- ing, and her triumph came with start ling promptness.
 J, RadfOrd loved her, really loved her, the little country girl, podding peas on the old back porch into shining tin pan. Only last evening he had told her so, speaking in glorious way as a being should speak, compar ing his love to the depth of the sea and his constancy to the stars which shone above.
 David had never talked like that. David was strangely shy before her, always humble. So Abbie Vail was re- bellious today, that David might not know that she had outgrown sim pie, silent love, that he must force the knowledge from her in so many words.
 With the acquisition of this admired mans love Abbie felt far removed from simplicity and homely surround ings. She despised the broken place on the porch, the peas in the pan. She intended to be like the women her new lover had pictured-women of his world-modish, charming. She hoped that her mother would sell the old place, and go with her to the city. After all, the farm was her own; it q had been grandfathers legacy to her, emitting his daughters name from his will because of marriage which had diSpleaSed him.
 Mother had not minded; she knew that this was her fathers way of be- slowing the homestead upon herself after all In her WidOwhOOd she knew that Abbie's home would be hers also. The banker had suggested that for her to sell now would be a wise move. Abbie hoped her mother would agree to the plan. They could all three live happily in the city together after he and Abbie were married.
 Her face frightened at the sound of step on the walk, but it was only David. David, with his new-weary eyes, and kindly, believing smile.
 He took no notice of Abbe's forbid ding attitude, but dropped down on the step beside her, looking searchingly Into her averted face.
 "So you haven't heard" he said with & sigh of relief. Reckon, then, I'll be the first to tell the news, an maybe I can make 1t softer. It'll shock you, Abbie till you get used to the idea. It's about that banking fellow. He we'll, he isn't what you have thought him to be all along, dear; reckon" David smiled-"he's more what I thought him to be-"
 Slowly David took city paper from
 
 girls widening eyes.
 "A defaulter," read David, hiding around in the country under an as- sumed name. Got him this morning walking along the main road and took him back to town. Been keeping the stealing up pretty clever forssome time back, the paper says
 Unconscious of the girls stricken face, David folded his paper and put it back into his pocket.
 And now, girl dear" he said gently, I've another kind of news that's bet ter. You've been so busy lately you haven't asked much what I've been doing, Abbie; there's the incest little bungalow on the main road that you ever saw, and It's mine-mine and