Deming graphic., 1919-08-19
SYMPATHETIC TIE
By MILDRED WHITE.

VI Softcsfohoth8 ateoo efcA t'~
north side Of the street. Then across
en- avenue of slanting rain they looked
at each other. and as suddenly, and
consciously, looked away. For this
mutual morning exit. though entirely
. thing Of chance. had become regu-
lar occurrence.
II the little southern girl with the
appealing black eyes had failed to ap-
pear precisely at $50 In the morning
Jack Rensaler Of the opposite house
would have been anxiously curious.
The maddening circumstance was that,
not having been properly presented
to Miss Kennedy Lee. walking at her
aide to the trolley instead Of In cold
aloofnsss upon his own side Of the
street was not to be thought Of.
Jacks Aunt Beula. with whom he
made his home In the city. had been
communicative concerning this same
piquant Kennedy Lee. Aunt Beula
was friend and nsighbor to the Wild
owed Mrs. Humphrey, who considered
her fair neighbor more as ward.
Kennedy had left the sleepy little
southern village, she said. In order to
make her own way In the world as an
artist. She had come to New York
to continue her studies. and II was
thought that she would marry Mr..
Ed Travis Of that city. But Mr.. Travis
being called at that seemingly pro-
pitious time to the service OF his coun-
try Miss Lee had preferred to await
his return In single blessedness. She
decided to keep herself occupied with
study. the marriage to be consum-
mated upon her fance's return.
"Of course II was all foolishness,"
he told himself-this constant thought
Of a girl whose heart and promise
were In the keeping Of soldier over
seas and yet Well. Jack couldn't
dismiss his thoughts Of her, and that
was the trouble. So. on this particu-
lar rainy morning both hesitated a
moment before hurrying into the
street.
Jack had gone hall block before he
realized In the confusion Of her near
ness that Miss Lee was without an um-
brelia; also her dainty suit was get
ting wet. Then his heart beat high
with hope.
IF you will let me take you to the
car" he suggested, and his careful
courtesy met with an agreeable re-
sponse.
That was the beginning. There
after the morning meetings were not
entirely accidental. and more and more
Jack became enthralled. He had
learned that the one unfailing subject
to arouse Kennedy Lees enthusiasm
was war and their country's heroes.
"Pve thought II over" she regretted,
"snd l am afraid that this friendship
Of ours is not quite loyal to Mr.. Travis.
We seem to have become such close
friends. you and l."
Then Jack had his inspiration. A
ieetIng scruple was banlshed by re-
membrance that "All is fair In love
and war"
II don't think that Travis would con-
slider a friendship with me disloyal,"
said Jack. because you see, though l
have not mentioned II, there's a Red
Cross nurse over there who-who-"
Evident relief flashed over Kennedy
Lees expressive face.
Who is engaged to you," she fin
ished. THAT simpliies everything. I'm
so glad. Now we can be-better friends
than ever in our sympathetic under
standing" And they we're.
II Jack sat gazing dlsmally across
at the window OF Kennedys room long
after she was lost In slumber that did
not disturb her pleasant dreaming.
Sometimes she wondered what sort OF
woman had won her new friends hon
est heart. and one day she asked him.
"She's dark" Jack answered her
question, "and little and charming"
Like me-" Kennedy mlschlevously
replied, with the exception Of the
charming"
"Just like you" Jack repeated. his
eyes wistfully regarding her.
But gradually q change came over
Kennedy Lee. Her mlschlevous moods
were no more. her black eyes seemed
blacker still. because Of darkening
hollows beneath them. Her merry
laughter was silenced.
Jack in his anxiety about II grew as
grave as she. In desperation he
broached the subject which fretted.
"Have you had bad news from
France? Is he ill-woundedf"
Kennedy's red lips closed in a firm
line.
~"No," she replied.
''Then," demanded Jack. and master
fully he swung the girl around to the
light. "what is the troubler
Ed Travis was married." she said
slowly. ito a girl over there'-a war
worker"
"The-hound r. Jack exclaimed, his
face was white.
"Oh. that" said Kennedy Lee. ''is
better as 1t L. When one has to try
so terribly hard to be loyal to an abb
sent lover, It's a pretty good sign
isn't itf-that he Is not-the lover at
allr