Evening star., 1921-05-08

"Hello!" he said. 1--we come to say
good bye"
going?"
'To Magella Will you come with
me?"
She was a nice girl. ands she had
been in love with Pug for a year.
They had danced together, they had
played hide-and in the, modern
| conservatory of passion. dodging
reality like a light hearted dryad and
a faun. She looked into iSElaughing
eyes Pugs smile was Infectious. ir-
responsible. as artiess as 8, childs.
60 with you?' she repeated. feel
ing her heart leap. Unexpectedly.
What do you mean. Pu3:"
Pug put his hands on her slender
shoulders and answered seriously Il
wish you'd marry me--today. tomor-
row. Pm going on Saturday I'm
fond OF you. Crazy about you. You
dance better than any girl / know.
You're plucky. l don't believe you've
got any nerves ] want you like the
very deuce. Will you Gomez"
CHE shook her head slowly. looking
at him with steady eyes. She liked
his smooth cheeks and the black line
! Of his brows and the way his hair
grew on his head. She liked his man
ners and his smile. She had never
| stopped to look into his heart or TO
| be curious about his mind. Pug was
! a dear boy. erratic. wild. and lovable.
She wanted very much to marry him,
| but she did not approve of him.
! Sparring for time, she asked: Where
is MageIia?"
! In South America. Great. Funny
| little town-dusty streets-arcades-
hot as the very deyil-cocoanut palms
You know. A sort Of Richard
Harding Davis place.
| rs there anything to do"
Nothing much. I'm going to build
a railway. big job. Youll see.
| Say you'll come, I'm crazy about yon.
! Honest to goodness. ] never thought
! about marrying any one until | saw
! you. DO you remember the first
| time? You were skating on the lake
! at Tuxedo and ! fell in love with you
! right off the bat. Answer me-are
you coming to Magella on Saturday,
! She drew away from him l. little.
| "Oh. Pug. ! cant
! "Oh, yes, do. Every one does. l
| couldn't help loving you, old dear.
1t isn't that"
"Well?"
Let go of my hands, and I'll tell
you"
! She shook her head again. you're
! spoiled, Pug. You have always had
! everything you wanted. everything
you asked for, everything you dream
ed of. People have petted you, low
ed you. flattered you. 1t hasn't been
good for you"
"Why not?"
| Don't you seee You aren't exact
! ly trustworthy. Pug. You drink and
smoke too much. You gamble. You
aren't serious about anything
| why on earth should l be?'
"Oh. Pug
| Suddenly he droped her hands and
! his brows met in puzzled frown.
Whats the idea he demanded.
| What. specifically, is the idea
! She just happened to be serious
a girl who believed profoundly in
virtues that bored her. She was
! afraid. not for Pug, but for herself.
Magella and the narrow. dusty streets
had nothing in common with her
| familiar world-Fifth avenue and
Tuxedo bright lights. gay voices. soft
fabrics. and the glitter of jewels. She
! shiveerd when she thought of her
self alone with Pug under a dark
sky full OF blazing stars. She was
used to an audience. Pug in New
| York was one thing: Pug in Magella
/ was another. Yet she wanted him.
Just for IL moment she ionScI pas
| sionately for the courage to go away
with him to that dirty. lazy, dusty
little city in South America. II
| would be romantic. il she dared
, if she dared to face the silence and
. mystery of love with him. Well she
didn't dare, Suddenly she put her
| arms around him and looked into his
| puzzled eyes.
"Tll wait for you. Forever. il you
say. But ! can't go. You've got to
make man of yourself. Pug Fair
child, and make me rcspecS Sou. Just