The diamond drill., 1919-09-27

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her hand upon one OF his for just an
instant. and then withdrew II.
Lucy" he said hnsklly. "Dear.
what's the matterf You look as II
you were going 10 cry"
Her eyeIids fiickered, and then she
looked up at him with a sad gravity.
tears seeming just at yse poise zone
reasons because have feeling that
It's never going to be-
"whyg
"Its Just feeling"
''You haven't any reason or"
''It's just feeling"
'Well. IL that's ALL" George said.
reassured. and laughing confidently. II
guess l won't be very much troubledi"
But at once he became serious again.
adopting the tone OF argument. "Don't
you care enough about me To marry
mef''
She looked down again. pathetically
troubled. Eyes"
We'll. then. why In the world won't
you drop the 'almostT"
Her distress increased. Everything
is-everyihing-"
what about 'everythingr"
Everything Is $3.50 unsettled"
And at that he uttered nm exclama-
tIon of impatience. IF YOU aren't
the queerest girl What is 'un-
settledr"
"Well. for one thing" she said, able
to smile at his vehemence. "you
haven't settled on anything to do. At
least IL you have you've never spoken
OF IT,"
As she spoke she gave him the
quickest possible side glance OF hope
ful scrutiny; then looked away. not
happily. Surprise and dIspleasure
were Intentionally visible upon the
counnenance OF her companion; and
he permitted significant period OF
silence 10 elapse before making any
response. Lucy" he said finally, with
cold dignity. haven't you perfectly
well understood that / don't mean TO
go into business or adopt profes-
sionH"
II wasn't quite sure" she said
gently. IL really didn't know-quIte. I"
"Then OF course It's time / did tell
you. You know yourself there are a
lot of people In the East--in the South
too, for that matter-that don't think
we've got any particular family or po-
sltion or culture In this part OF the
country There were one or two In
my crowd at college; their families
had lived on their income for three
generations, and they never dreamed
there was anybody In their class out
here. had to show them a thing or
two. right at the start, and l guess
they won't forget IL! Well, / think
it's time all their sort found out that
three generations can mean just as
much out here as anywhere else"
"But what are you going TO do,
George?" she cried.
Georges earnestness surpassed
hers; he had become flushed and his
breathing was emotional. 81 expect
10 live an honorable life" he said. 81
expect TO contribute my share TO chart.
ties. and to take part in--ln move.
ments."
"What kIndT
"whatever appeals to me-" he said
Lucy looked at him with grievcd
wonder. "But you really don't mean
10 have any regular business or pro
fesslon at allf"
~ certainly do not" George re-
turned promptly and emphatically.
II was afraid So" she said In low
voice.
George continued to breathe deep
~ throughout another protracted In
terval of silence. Then he said
"Your father is business man"
Hes mechanical genius" Lucy
interrupted quickly. "Of course he's
both. And he was lawyer once
he's done all sorts OF things"
every well. merely wished to ash
II It's his Influence that makes you
think ought 20 do something's"
Lucy frowned slightly. "Why.
suppose almost everything | think or
say must be owing 10 his influence
! In one way or another. We haven't
had anybody hut each other for SO
many years. and we always think
about alike. so of course"
II see - And Georges brow dark
ened with resentment. $50 that's II
is It? It's your fathers Idea that
ought TO 20 into business and that
, you oughtn't to be engaged to ms
until I do"
Lucy gave start. her denial was
so quick. "Nol I've never once spo
ken 10 him about II. Neverr'
! George looked at her keenly. ano
he jumped TO conclusion not faI
from The truth. "But you know with
out talking to him that It's the wa,
! he does feel about Il? I see"
She nodded gravely. yes"
Georges brow grew darker still
"Do YOU think I'd be much of man. :
he said slowly. III l let any Other
! man dictate I'm me- INV own wav M