Smyrna times., 1919-11-05
SALLYS STORY
BY MILDRED WHITE.

anda, the men whom Sally had gayiy
named to her sister. Sally had fond
ness for bestowing upon those who
gained her interest distinctive and
amusing titles.
The tall young man, leaning Idly
against a large white pillar, was, in
Sally's phrasing, ''the gloomy man."
while one clad in white fiannels near
him was 'the oonceited man."
In her heart Sally knew that her
lovely sister found secret amusement
in her chatter. The wise man himself
spoke little to other guests, avoiding
all except Sally and her sister, and
spending much time in lonely places
upon the sands.
Sally was not flattered by his atten.
tons. Experience had taught her that
friendship with herself, where the
masculine sex was concerned, was u.s.
ually a means to the end-of acquain-
tance with Cicely-Cicely, the elusive
and reserved.
During the week which followed ii
was "the gloomy man." in Sally's
phraseology,' who 'beat the conceited
one to it," "The wise man." questioned
by Sally, could not guess as to which
Of the two might win.
"Your sister," he suggested, should
be the one to give that information"
"Cicely," Sally answered, disgusted-
~, never knows when a mans in love
with her until it's too late"
"Too late" queried the wise man.
ITO stop it." Sally explained.
There's one comfort" she added, "the
gloomy one won't be well enough ac-
quainted to make love before we go.
/ shouldn't like that mourner for a
brother-in-law. You can't tell a girl
like my sister-a real, conscientious
girl, you knOw-that you want to mar
~ her after one weeks acquaintance" !"
NO." the wise man slowly replied,
II suppose not"
wouldn't do at ALL" Sally said, pos
itively. "Cis would refuse him in a
minute for that reason alone"
The wise man considered the sweep
ing waves before him.
HE would have to wait patiently"
he said, "and learn to know your sis
ter better in town."
"Just what he couldn't do" Sally
triumphantly explained. "My father is
going to take US abroad the moment
we land in New York"
II wouldn't want him for Cicely,
either" she said. "She's too clever
and-well. just can't express it, but
too dear Now, if a man like you
cared for her in that way"
"He could not tell her so, in a week"
the other reminded Sally.
Il do believe" whispered Sally,
''that you love her, too"
II do believe" the wise man soberly
answered, "that 1 do"
"And I've got to let you two sep
arate"-Sally's tone was tragic
without a word In a few days the
whole ocean will be between you-and
you may never come together again"
The man laughed huskily.
my case is more hopeless than that
Of the gloomy one" he said. "I have
not even presumed to pay court. 1t
seemed presumptuouS, a happiness so
utterly removed from my hope-the
gracious charm of her-these success
full men Of the world already in the
ring" His voice broke off as though
he had been thinking aloud.
"You are the only kind of man that
Cicely will ever care for" Sally in
sisted.
81 know her-wen, and-here she
comes"
The elder sister smiled indulgently
at the younger one. Casting an arm
about her shoulders, she seated herself
upon the arm Of her rocking chair. She
smiled again, radiantly, as the man
upon the steps below raised to hers his
serious eyes.
"Sally tells me-" he said, "that you
are soon leavingT
"Early tomorrow morning." Cicely
replied.
"Tm going to tell a story" Sally
burst out. 'and you had both better
listen, and not interrupt. The mood is
on me. It's the simple story Of a man,
very wise and very kind, with a heart
so full Of love and service for others
that he'd never been able to find any
for himself.
''The conceited man knew this wise
one, back in town, and he told me that
he'd given up a promising career In
order to stay with his mother in her
funny old house in the city. His moth
er loved the funny old house so that
she couldn't bear to leave 1t, and the
man loved this invalid mother so that
he stayed with her there till she died.
when she was gone, it seemed too
late for the career, but he came out
to where the sea washed the shore. to
think 1t over. And love was there to
meet him. Because he had never
played with love the man now loved
very much. And the girl was worth all
the truest love that any man could
give. so this was the sad part, you see,
that be must let her go from him with
l. - Il