Middletown transcript., 1919-05-03
Wartime
Speed
~
Copyright, 1918, by Mcclure Newspaper
Syndicate.)
Bv CATHERINE PARSONS

Syndicate.)
Gardner Lane was busy with the de-
lightful task Of painting Amy Roland's
portrait. If you had seen Amy you
would have really envied him, Tor
she was truly lovely.
On this particular day Amy left the
studio somewhat later than usual for
the picture was just at an interesting
stage and Gardner could not bear to
stop work till the last bit of daylight
had vanished. Mrs. Roland, who al
ways came with her daughter, had left
early to keep an appointment and
Amy had promised to meet her at
five.
Gardner had kept her till the last
possible moment and she was hurry
ing toward the front door, when she
ran directly into a young man who
was coming in the opposite direction.
'T beg pardon" exclaimed Amy, as
she bounced back in surprise. "Why.
Billy Lane" she added, as she recog-
nized him. "Where in the world did
you come from? l haven't laid eyes
on you for over two years"
"Just got here, Amy. I've been out
in Colorado working hard. But even
an obscure farmer has right to a
vacation now and then, so I'm taking
two weeks this time. Maybe it isn't
good to see you again-you haven't
changed much except to grow up more.
suppose you'd forgotten all about me,
though"
Amy blushed slightly, but it was too
dark to see.
Z. Il hadn't, really; but of course two
years is a long time. In another one
1 might forget whether your hair was
red or brown. It's hard to remember
much when you're kept pretty busy"
Billy laughed ruefully.
Amy held out her hand with frank
'and engaging smile. In another mo-
ment she was gone.
"For heavens sake," cried Gardner,
spying his brother from the floor
above. "When did you get here? Well,
~
too! Is this pleasure trip?"
"Not exactly. The truth Of the mat
ter is I'm enlisting in about two weeks
and I wanted to see the old town be-
fore I went over"
Great Scott, you don't say so! l
would myself but I'm beyond the draft
age and l nate to leave my work
I'm really needed here. Could they
spare you all right?"
"Well, you see, I'm my own boss, so
1 just sold out and came along. l
couldn't stay out of it any longer and
I'd nothing to hold me back, either" "
I'm single, too, but l may not be
long-that's one reason why don't
want to enlist"
''NNhO is it-LOuiSeY
Gardner laughed. Il should say
not! I've had dozen since Louise.
It's Amy this time l haven't told her
yet, but I'm going to marry her.
Two days later Amy went for an.
other sitting for her portrait and again
she found Billy in the hall on her way
home.
Hello, Mr.. Hermit" she scoffed
you're not wasting time on your old
friends this trip, are you?"
Most of them seem to be pretty
busy themselves"
''Well, I'm not fOr-One, and to prove
it I'll invite you to 60 for a walk with
me now.
isn't it lovely out today?" cried
Amy enthusiastically.
"Yes, but you'd never call this beau
tiful if you could see it out where
live. Mountains and hills and valleys
everywhere you look. And the sun
sets-yOu'd love those sunsets, Amy
They just make the whole world 9
blaze of glory and put peace into your
soul l can't explain how it is out
there-it's too big for that. But can
tell you it impresses one. Maybe Im
daffy on the subject, but it's simpl!
life out there to me. l feel like Oul
poet friend who said: i want to &C
back, and l willr You'd love it ou
there, Amy"
'Oh, would love it," she agreed
and almost surprised herself by hel
own fervOr.
''Will you visit me some day then
you and your husband?"
'We'll be delighted provided hav,
one by that time"
''In the meantime will you consider
an invitation to dine with me this eve
ning?"
I'm sorry, Billy. but I'm going II
dinner at the Seatons' with Gardner
they asked me ages ago. But I've hat
lovely walk with YOU"
$50 have l, too. Good night"
"Billy!"
"What can l do for your"
Don't you ever want to walk hom,
with me again7 I have three more sit
tings."
"Of course l want to. But Il mai
doesn't do all the things he wants to-
worse luck! I'll see you before long
though. Good-by."
Il think you're the limit, and yo,
make me cross" f1ared Amy, and re
fused to notice his proffered hand.
Whereupon Billy pondered long OF
the vagaries of women and kept ou
Of Amy's way for the next two days
But on the day that she came for he
last sitting she found him standing be
fore her picture in the studio with
strange look on his face.
"Don't look so sad, Billy-Tm no
dead yet"
"Hello, Amy; didn't expect you te
day. Gardner went to New York, bu
he sent you message at the last min
ute-you must have left before tn
messenger arrived at your home
81 did. You don't seem overioye