The Dallas express. [volume] (Dallas, Tex.) 1893-1970, 1919-02-08
Wartime
Speed
s~<D
BY CATHERINE PARSONS
(copyright, 1918. by Mcclure Newspaper
syndicate)


Copyright, 1918, by Mcclure Newspaper
syndicate)
Gardner Lane was busy with the de-
llghtful task Of painting Amy Roand's
portrait. II you had seen Amy you
would have really envied him. for
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 young man who
was coming In the opposite direction.
81 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? / 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
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 bushed slightly. but 1t was too
dark to see.
~ hadn't, really; but OF course two
years is long time. In another one
I 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,
maybe 1t isn't good to see you again.
too Is this pleasure trip"
Not exactly. The truth of the mat
ter is I'm enlisting in about two weeks
and wanted to see tho old town be-
fore | went over"
Great Scott, you don't say so! |
would myself but I'm beyond the draft
age and ] hate to leave my work.
I'm really needed here. Could they
spare you all .right1"
well, you see. I'm my own boss. so
| just sold out and came along. |
couldn't. stay out Of 1t any longer and
I'd nothing to hold me back, either"
"I'm Single, too. but ] may not be
long-that's one reason why ! don't
want to enlist"
"Who is it--LOuiseT
Gardner laughed. IT should say
not! I've had a dozen since Louise.
It's Amy this time. 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 your"
Most of them seem to be pretty
busy themselves"
well. I'm not for one. and to prove
It I'll invite you to go for walk with
me now.
isn't 1t lovely out todaylr cried
Amy enthusiastically.
Eyes. but you'd never call this beau.
tiful If you could see II out where
rive. Mountains and hills and valleys
everywhere you look. And the sun.
sets-youd love those sunsets, Amy
They just make the whole world a
4 blaze of glory and put peace into your
soul. can't explain how II Is oul
there-it's too big for that. But eau
tell you 1t impresses one. Maybe I'm
daffy on the subject, but It's simpl.
life out there to me. feel like oul
poet friend who said: I want to &,
back. aud wllir You'd love II gu,
there. Amy"
"0h, would love III" she agreed
and almost surprised herself By heI
own fervor.
Evil you visit me some day then
| Won and vonr hushandT'
even he dclighted--provided, I hav,
one by that time"
an the meantime will you consider
an Invitation 10 dine With me this eve
ningf''
| I'm sorry. Billy, but I'm going Il
dinner at the Seatons' with Gardner
they asked me ages ago. But I've SAT
lovely walk with YOU"
80 have ]. too. Good night"
"Billyl'
"What can | do for your"
Don't you ersr want to walk home
with me again? have three more sit
tings."
"0f course want to. But o mar
doesn't do al the things he wants to-
worse luck ! III see you before long
though. Good-by."
Il think you're the limit. and yot
make me Cross nared Amy. md re
fused to notice his proffered hnnd.
| whereupon Billy pondered long Of
the vngaries Of women and kept gu
Of Amy's way for the next two DAYS
But Oh the day that she came for hel
last sitting she found him standing be
fore her picture In the studio with I
strange look on his face.
'Donf look SO sad. BiIly-Fm no