Greenbrier independent. [volume] (Lewisburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1859-1980, 1919-04-18
HER CHOICE
49,
BY EVA SYMMES.

Audrie paused rs she slipped Il pin
into her thick. fluffy hair. Her eyes
fell upon two pictures Oh the dressing
table before her.
One was smiling. brown-eyed lad
in military attire. For an instant
Audrie looked full into the clean, boy
iSh face. She had known him for
years. Now he was In the army; had
won n commission from the ranks.
Eyes, Jimmie" she told him. you're
good pal always have been and am
proud of YOU"
Then she turned to the other, the
face Of n student, dark, serious and
distinguished. A whimsical smile
passed over her face. Ever since she.
rs n retiring little freshman, had met
Harold he had been mndly in love with
her. AS all girls do, Audrle gloried In
the security of the rich young mans
affection. yet dallied with decision.
Sometimes she wondered why he re-
| manned Mt home when SO many boys
were in the service.
The ringing Of the front door bell in
terrupted her reverie. With a guilty
start Audrie sprang up.
"Theres Harold now -! I'll skip down
and let him in" One last reassuring
glance in the mirror. and in the frac-
ton OF a minute she wns greeting the
youth right cheerily.
Good evening, Mr.. Harold !" with q
playful curtsey. "I'm almost ready,
honestly. Just q second It'll / get my
wraps"
Good for you, Audrie," laughed Har-
old. Then approximately:
MY. but you look bewitching to-
night Do you think 1t safe to take
you to a dancer"
"Oh. silly" scolded Audrie. "Of
course it Is! Let's hurry. I'm just
dying for waltz"
The music was. enticing. the floor
was perfect. and Audrie sparkled with
exhilaration and pure JOY of the dance.
Soft lights added to the enchantment.
Audrie gllded gracefully in Harold's
arms. The sweet nearness of the girl,
the weird strains of the waltz entan-
gled Harold'S senses in q new whirl-
wind of love.
"Audrie, dear" he whispered, "come
out on the veranda and rest bit"
She nodded assent half reluctantly.
The cool breezes served only to fan
HarOld's ardor. -
"Audrie, have waited long time"
he said, suddenly, taking one Of her
hands. ito talk to you as you know I
must some day."
He hesitated. Audrie's cheeks burn
ed with the knowledge Of the coming
declaration.
"You know how much care for you.
dear; you know, too, that have cared
for you ever since first met you, and
that stayed at school only to be near
you. Can you love me just little in
return?"
He was pleading now with all the
eloquence Of his manly voice and dark
eyes. He came closer, took both her
hands. For an instant she almost
yielded. The thought of prestige, of
riches. Of Harold's true regard for her.
moved her powerfully. 1t was so easy
Then, like a shade from another
world, the smiling face Of a boy in
khaki came before her. In p flash Au-
drie saw him fighting, like many more
American boys; still smiling, young, yet
brave and unafraid!
The magic Of HarOld's love was
gone. With shudder she drew away
from his grasp.
mo, Harold" she snid, softly, but
firmly. Il am sorry. very sorry, but I
do not love YOU"
The ride home was in sad contrast
to the previous journey. Not a word
was spoken; just parting handclasp
ended 1t all.
A weary little girl crept up the stairs
to her room. Slowly she seated herself
again before the dressing table. Quiet
~ she turned one picture face down
ward; then. as hot tears chased down
her face, she seized the other picture
and pressed 1t to her lips.
"Thnnk God" she murmured rever-
emily, II choose man!''
Copyright. 1919. by the Mcclure News
paper Syndicate.)