The Crittenden press., 1920-08-10
Too Old!
By cs.svisvs Ulnar
,cOp,r,sh,. is,s western Newspaper Union ,

tSopSrHnt. Sss. western Newspaper Inlonb
When Miss Ivis Durand came 10
houghton and purchased neat little
home there for herself and her wild
owed mother. she was taken up by
the younger set Of the pretty village.
Ernest Waters, two years on the
sunny side OF forty. sold them the
property and thus naturally was the
nrst 10 the village to become acQuaint.
ed with them. Because he was fair.
accommodating and evenly courteous
and helpful he won upon both mother
and daughter. until this ripened into
q close and mutual friendship. He was
q lover OF music. and as a singer and
al the piano Miss Durand excelled.
II was this. her exp-rtness at tennis,
her ability TO get up dainty reflections
and general social parties that attract
et her Juniors. while her patient. kind
ly Interest in their affairs endeared
her TO them. Whenever these func-
tions took place al the Durand home
Waters was Invariably invited, hut he
ing a modest and sensitive man he
generally kept close tn Mrs, Durand.
quite out Of the Juvenile class. you
know" he would remark with affected
lightness Of manner. but his eyes
would shadow and \ sad expression
compress the lips while his gaze fol.
lowed the fiittlng attractive Avis.
the center Of admiration and homage.
"She looks the lovelesi " them all"
one evening Waters overheard ,ouns
man remark. "She can't be over
twenty"
Worth the coming. chr rallied
male companion.
~ would enter the lists at once n
there was the yestige Of hope for
me-" was the reply delivered with un-
mistakable sincerity.
All this fell upon the hearing OF Wa
tiers In depressing way. For The
nrst time he recognized the disparity
In their ages and chided himself for
ever allowing the thought 10 enter his
mind that the apparent interest OF
Miss Durand In him Was anything
more than the natural kindliness ~
gentle nature for an older man.
After that he dropped In only &C
casIonally at the Durand home. He
evsded attending the functions where
he began to consider he was only a
tolerated friend ~ Mrs. Durand. n
puzzled him 10 analyTe the continued
apparent desire for his company that
Avis evinced whichever they met
casually. and one day on the street
her sincere greeting set him thinking.
"You will receive an Invitation To
my birthday party next week. Mr..
Waters" she said. ".nd count on
your presence"
Really. Miss Dursnd-" he began.
"No excuse. now,- she rallied. smil-
ing as she waved = warning finger
IF you wish 10 offend mother and
srieye me you will forget II. as YOU
seemed TO have forgotten US for some
time past"
you would really IKE me TO Gomez
asked Waters earnestly.
Il shall miss yorf 30 truly II you do
not that II will spoil all the Joy OF the
party. Ny young friends have gone TO
Ereat trouble FOR the occasion. They.
too. would regret your absence anf
a-s constantly asking me what has be
come Of my closest friend and their
general favorite"
The words were ss balm 20 de-
pressed. unhappy spirit. Waters could
not doubt the sincerity Of the sresk-
er. Long afterwards there remained
the memory of the sweet smile. the
warm hand clasp ss they parted.
A gay. festive. bubblIns throng they
were. those young friends OF Avis
burand. the evening OF the party.
Waters tried 10 al Q secluded corner.
but Avis would not hay. II 80. She
showed him unusual attention. and
his heart warmed With unusual fervor.
as he entered fully Into the Joyous
ness of N. occasion He had planned
on accompanying Mrs. Dursnd when
they adjourned IN the supper table.
but Avis appeared snd claimed him as
her honored escort.
"why, where Is the birthday caker'
cried one Of the girls as they seated
themselves.
Yes aud the eighteen csndlesr
jolned In q Nvscious brunette.
Il guess seyentren~ voiced another
guest
Avis laughed merrily. Her eyes
were sparkling ss she left her guests
with an apology and the words: III
will be q great surprise TO you. per.
haps. but I shall reward your polite
curiosity with the truth. Thlrty-nve
candles drars." she added r-appear
ing with the crow ming attraction Of
the table.
"Oh. neverl" arose chorus of un.
believers. hut Avis only continued 10
smile. hut flushed a. she stole q quick
eiance AZ the amazed Waters.
tie was Nsnilng ~ the SIDE OF some
drsperies an hour later. his mind re-
hectiye and In = tumult. for the rev-ls.
tion OF Avis had seemed TO bring her
immensely nearer TO him. On the
other side Of the drpery was Mrs
Dursnd
"Oh. how could your she mildly up
braided Avis Bidding good.by to
youth"
To Its counterfeit, dear mamma.
you mean" responded Avis brightly.
Then. too. It gave me an opportunity
for Mr.. Waters to know the truth"
"Because-" insinuated Mrs. Durand.
"Becsuse-because love him"
spoke Avis frankly, as YOU have