Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1921-06-09
THE REAL HOME MAKERS

be at home to their many friends.
That is the way for a wedding
notice to end. Editors who have
been long in the service come to, like
certain expressions because exper-
fence has taught that they stand Tor
something vital In the lives OF men
and women. Some Of these are hack
neyed because OF long use; others
are personal whims In composition
this one is a favorite because back OF
it is the truest philosophy OF the
Joining Of two lives. Somehow the
everyday doings OF the town have
taught newspapermeM that the mar
rage whose story ends thus Is OF the
right kind, and the editor, II he be
wise, approves.
Every editor looks upon the young
folks of the town as those who VIII
furnish future news and patronage
for his paper. He likes good news
rather than bad news--as he should
do--so the editor smiled when the
reporter lay this story on his desk
1t ended just as he most enjoyed see
ing It do.
He knew Mary well. II was when
she was a high school girl that she
attrac ted his attention. She was so
pretty with her golden hair and her
modest ways. Only once did he ever
distrust her. One day she stayed
out Of school and walked past the
office with the comedy man OF a
theatrical troup staying In town for
the week. Somehow 1t hurt the edi-
tor-fOr her parents would have
grieved had they known. Her faith
err sat at bench day after day, toll
ing that the family might be happy.
It seemed too bad that the girl should
not appreciate 1t. The editor wished
40 much for authority to call her In
and talk 1t over.
so many tragedies come to the
editors desk; so many life-histories
are written on the futtering sheets
that make up the daily grist Of news.
He should have liked to show some
of the records of Mary.
But Mary had not shown serious
liking for her new friend and the
next day she was trudging through
the rain to school. One afternoon, as
the editor rested from the struggle or
an extra edition, he saw her walking
slowly up the street toward the park
chatting with some girl friends and
he felt better. The editor par
ticularly feared the Back Street hab-
It. When he saw a young girl avoid
the main Travelled paths Of the town
and seek the unfrequented sidewalks
far from the street on which was
her own home, he felt she was flirt-
Ing with danger. OF such observa-
tion he always made mental note
and wondered what item would come
to his desk concerning those most
Interested How many times had he
heard the appeal from broken-hearted
fathers and mothers, "Please don't
put anything In the paper about 1t.
Their daughter was gone, their hopes
for her future were shattered, she
had been doing things of which they
knew nothing-though the editor
could have told them long before that
she was taking chances.
He wished sometimes he dared
put In the paper such items as:
miss Fairhair was walking on the
far end of West street this after
noon with gaudily dressed young
man; she should not walk with those
Of whose appearance she Is asham-
ed" He could not do that, but he
could see to what 1t led.
Other things the editor knew about
what he knew every bus
mess man in town knew, for the 60
ings and comings Of young folks are
observed. 1t is high compliment to
a young woman when a group Of
business men seeing her pass say to
one another: There's fine grill"
They do not say it unless they think
so and they have the best opportun-
tiles for judging. They see young
women in their real personality. For
instance, Mary, even when high
school graduate, did not forget the
businessmen whom she had known
since childhood days. Perhaps that
was one reason why they said she
was fine girl. The editor knew so
many who were different. As little
girls he had chatted with them; he
had drawn their sleds as he went to
the office; he had asked them for
news of their parties. Then as they
grew up into young ladies, still sup
posing they were his friends, he had
been astonished and Inundated some
day when he lifted his hat to meet
only a vacant star of strangeness.
He recalled that he had never been
formally introduced to the dashing
young woman, but had presumed on
eighteen years acquaintance.
OF course, he never repeated that
bow of recognition, nor did he ever
fail to wonder what items about the
young woman would come to his
desk. So when Mary remained in
her young womanhood the same
CHEEKY, smiling, frank girl that she
had been when her hair was in two
braids down her back, he had hopes
for her. He knew the item about
her success would bring smiles to
scores of. faces ordinarily unaffect-
ed by that sort Of news.
Raeidaa and the other hnsinass