The Ordway new era., 1919-10-31

isn't" Miss Fanny insisted. giggling.
"We've never asked Lucy"
81 wouldn't ask her anything SO abb
surd"
George would" Georges father re-
do"
Mr.. Minafer was not mistaken: that
was what his son had gone to do.
Lucy and her father were Just rising
from their dinner table when the
stirred youth arrived at the front
door Of the new house. 1t was cot
tage, however, rather than a house !;
and Lucy had taken free hand with
the architect. achieving results in
and blue inside to such effect of youth
and daintiness that her father COM
planned Of "too much springtime I"
The whole place, including his own
bedroom. was young damsers bou-
doir. he said. 80 that nowhere could
he smoke cigar without feeling like
a ruffian. However. he was smoking
when George arrived. and he encour-
aged George to Join him In the pas
time. but the caller, whose air was
both tense and preoccupied, declined
with something like agitation.
II never smoke-that is. I'm sell
dom-I mean, no, thanks" he said.
II mean not at all. I'd rather not"
"Aren't you well, George?" Eugene
asked. looking at him in perplexity.
"Have you been overworking at col
legef You do look rather pa"
II don't work." said George. 81
mean 1 don't work. / think, but /
don't work. only work at the end
of the term. There Isn't much to do"
Eugene's perplexity was little de-
creased. and tinkle of the doorbell
afforded him obvious relief. Its my
foreman" he said, looking at his
watch. "Tll take him out in the yard
to talk. This is no place for fore
man." And he departed. leaving the
Giving room" to Lucy and George.
whats wrong. George7" she asked
softly.
"What do you mean: What's
wrongr What makes you think any
things wrong with mer'
you do look pale, as papa said.
and 1t seemed to me that the way you
talked sounded-well, q little con-
fused"
"See herei" George stepped close
to her. "Are you glad to see meT
"You needn't be 90 fierce about It'll"
Lucy protested, laughing at his dra-
matte intensity. "Of course am
Do tell me what's the matter with
you. Georgei"
'T Wilt" he exclaimed. II was a
boy when saw you last. see that
now. though I didn't then. Well. I'm
not boy any longer. I'm q man. and
different treatment"
II don't seem to be able to under
stand you at all. George. Why
shouldn't a boy be treated Just as
well as a man?"
George seemed to find himself at
loss. "Why shouldn't Well. he
shouldn't, because man has right
to certain explanations"
"What In the world do you want me
to explain"
"Your conduct with Fred Kinney |"
George Sn0uted.
Lucy uttered a sudden CRY of
laughter; she was delighted. "It's
been awful" she said. II don't know
that ever head of worse misbe-
havior! Papa and have been twice
10 dinner with his family, and I've
been three times to church with Fred
and once to the circusl don't
know when they'll be here to arrest
mel"
"Stop thati" George commanded
fiercely. II want to know Just one
thing, and 1 mean to know 1t, tool"
whether enjoyed the circus7"
II want to know II you're engaged
to himw
mol" she cried. and lifting her
face close to his for the shortest In
slant possible, she gave him q look
half merry, half defiant, but all fond.
1t was an adorable look.
"Lucy!" he said huskily.
But she turned quickly from him,
and ran to the other end of the room.
He followed awkwardly, stammering:
Lucy. I want-I want to ask you.
VIII you-will you-will you be en-
gagged to meT
She stood at window, seeming to
look out into the summer darkness.
her back to him.
mo-" she murmured. just audibly.
"Why not7"
you're too young"
us that" he said. gulping-"ls
that the only reason you WON'T"
She did not answer.
As she stood persistently staring
out OF the window with her back to
him she did not see how humble his
attitude had become; but his voice
was low. and 1t shook so that she
could have no doubt Of his emotion.
Lucy. please forgive me for making
such a row." he said. thus gently.