Greene County herald. (Leakesville, Miss.) 1898-current, 1919-11-07

'Weve never asked Lucy"
II wouldn't ask her anything so abb
surd!"
George would" Georges father re-
marked. that's what he's gone to
do"
Mr.. Minafer was not mistaken: that
was what his son had gone to do.
Lucy and her father We're 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
white and green outside and white
and blue inside to such effect of youth
and daintiness that her father COM
planned of too much springtime !"
The whole place, including his own
bedroom. was young damsel's bou-
doir, he said, so that nowhere could
he smoke cigar without feeling like
a ruffien. 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.
slave you been overworking at col
lege? You do look rather pa"
81 don't work." said George. II
mean don't work. think, but /
don't work. only work at the end
of the term. There isn't much to do"
Eugenes perplexity was little de-
creased. and a tinkle Of the 'doorbell
afforded him obvious relief. "It's my
foreman" he said, looking at his
watch. "Tll take him out in. the yard
to talk. This is no place for a fore
man." And he departed. leaving the
''living room" to Lucy and George.
whats wrong. George?" she asked
softly. +.
"What do you mean: What's
wrongr What makes you think any
things wrong with meY' 81.
"You do look pale, as papa said,
and it seemed to me that the way you
talked sounded-well, a little con-
fused" a Is e
"See herel" George stepped close
to her. Are you glad to see mew
"You needn't be so fierce about itp
Lucy protested, laughing at his dra-
matte intensity. "Of course I ami
Do tell me what's the matter with
you. Georgel"
+ II will ~ he exclaimed. IT was a
boy when l saw you last. / see that
now, though l didn't then. Well, I'm
not boy any longer. I'm man, and
a man has a right to demand totally
different treatment"
" 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 manT M
George seemed to find himself at a
loss. why shouldn't Well, he
shouldn't, because a man has a right
to certain explanations"
"What in the world do you want me
to explainr n
"Your conduct with Fred Kinneyw
George shouted.
Lucy uttered q sudden cry of
laughter; she was delighted. "It's
been awful" she said. II don't know
that 1 ever head Of worse misbe-
havior! Papa and have been twice
to dinner with his family, and I've
been three times to church with Fred
and once to the circusi I don't
know when they'll be here to arrest
me r. si
"Stop thatw George commanded
tiercely. Il want to know just one
thing, and / mean TO know 1t. too "
''Whether l enjoyed the circus?"
IT want to know If you're engaged
to himr'
"No!'' she cried, and lifting her
face close to his for the shortest In
slant possible. she gave him a look
half merry. half defiant. but all fond.
1t was an adorable look.
'Iucy!" he said huskily.
But she turned quickly from him,
and ran to the other end Of the room.
He followed awkwardly, stammering
Lucy, want--I want to ask you,
Will you-wili you-will you be en-
gagged to sme?" tyr A tkgl
She stood at a window, seeming 10
look out into the summer darkness
her back to- him. 9gs 8REK
"A she Inur1nured, inst nndlbly
| +why hotass
you're too young"
Els that" he said. gulping-"I.
that the onlyAreason you wOnt7y
She did pot answer. 49, safy
As she stood persIstently staring
out of the window with her back K
him she did not see how humble hi
attitude had become; but his voice
was low. and It shook SO that sh'
. u a. . u = = ~ ~