The Madison journal. (Tallulah, Madison Parish, La.) 1888-current, 1919-09-27

What do you mean: What's
wrongE What makes you think amy
things wrong with me-"
You do look pale, as papa Sdld'
and it seemed To me that the way you
talked soundcd-well, IL little con
fused"
"See here" George stepped close
to her. Are you glad to see me:
You needn't he 50 fierce about 1t!
Lucy protested, laughing at his dra-
matte intensity. "Of course | am
Do tell me what's the matter with
you. George"
Il will" he exclaimed. Il was a
boy when | saw you last. | see that
now, though | didn't then. Well, I'm
not boy any longer. I'm man, and
a man has right to demand totally
different treatment"
Il don't seem to be able to under
stand you at all, George. Why
shouldn't boy be treated just as
well as Il man?"
George seemed to find himself ut a
loss. "Why shouldn't Well, he
shouldn't, because Il IMAM has Il right
to certain explanations"
what in the world do you want me
to explain?"
Your conduct with Fred Kinney
George shouted.
Lucy uttered sudden cry Of
laughter; she was delighted. ITS
been awful" she said. 81 don't know
that / ever head of worse misbe-
haviOr, Papa and | have been twice
to dinner with lis family, and I've
been three times tO church with Fred
and once to the circus. l don't
know when they'll be here To arrest
met"
"StOp that" George commanded
| fiercely. II want TO know just one
thing, and / mean to know it. too"
whether | enjoyed the circus:"
81 want TO know if you're engaged
| to him. ~
"NO." she cried, and lifting her
face close To his for the shortest in
slant possible. she gave him look
half merry half defiant, but all fond.
1t was an adorable look.
Lucy" he said huskily.
But she turned quickly from him,
and ran TO the other end of the room.
He followed awkwardly. stammerinS !:
Lucy, | want-I want to ask you.
VIII yOu-wilI you-will you be en-
gagged 10 me?"
She stood mt n window. seeming To
look out into the summer darkness,
her back To him.
mo" she murmured, just audibly.
"Why not?'
you're too young"
as that" he said gu'ping-"iS
that the only reason you won't?'
She did not answer.
AS she stood perSiStcntly staring
out of the window with her back TO
him she did not see how humble his
attitude had become: hut his voice
was low, and IL shook so that she
could have no doubt of his emotion
Lucy, please forgive me for making
such row." he said. thus gently
"Fve been-I've been terribly upset
terribly You know how feel about
you. and always have felt about YOU
Don't you?'
Still she did not move or speak.
us the only reason you won't be
engaged to me you think I'm too
young. Lucy?"
"It'S-it's reason enough" she SAID
family.
At that he caught one of her hands
and she turned to him: there were
tears in her eyes. tears which he did
not understand ut all.
Lucy. you little DEAR he cried
= II knew you"
NO, no." she said. and she pushed
him away. Withdrawing her hand
George, let's not talk of solemn
things"
"'Solemn thingsr Like what?"
'Like-being engaged"
But George had become altogetheI
iubilant, and he laughed triumphant
ly. Good gracious, that isn't sol
emn ~
. 1T is tool" she said. wiping he
eyes. Its too solemn for us"
mo. it isn't, L"
Lets sit down and be sensible
: dear" she said. You sit over there
D 81 will if you'll call me dear
again"
{ NO" she said. 'rll only call yo,
}. that once again this summer-th
: night before you go away"
2 THAT will have to do, then" h
I laughed, $50 long as | know we're en-
: gagged"
4; But we're not" she protested
h "And we never will he if you don
n promise not to speak of it agail
e until tell you tO,'
h II won't promise that" said tn
+ happy George. ''l'll only promise no
y to speak of it till the next time yo
n call me dear and you've promise
+ to call me that the night before
u leave for my senior year"
e 'Oh, but | didn't" she said cal
2 nestly, then hesitated. Did II"
: Didn't your
= 81 don't think I meant it," she mu
3 INJURED, her wet lashes Pickering alloy
d troubled eyes.
Il know one thing about you" h
/ said gayly, his triumph increasin.
!. You never went back on anythin
y Won said vet. and Tn NOT afraid =