Americus times-recorder. [volume] (Americus, Ga.) 1891-current, 1922-12-04
Too asst for
Della
By JUSTIN WENTWooD

I a
was happening just as VIII had an
| ticipated.
They had nearly been engaged when
| she left for the city. At least, Will
| had asked her, and she had said she'd
see later. Will, who was lame, had a
position in the bank, and was putting
by his money. But he had always
lived a quiet life, and had never been
To the metropolis at all. And what
could Della, who lived next door, pos
sibly see in him?
He answered that question for him
self day or two after Delias return.
He took her for a walk across the
common, and both were too embar-
raised TO utter more than few COM
monplaceS. Yes, Della had changed.
Will resigned himself to the inevitable.
Within day or two all the young
fellows in the town began calling OH
Della. Before she knew it she had
engaged to go buggy riding with Ernest
Ray, who drove two grey horses tan
dem. VIII saw them depart in the
early afternoon, and it was late at
night when Della was deposited at her
door, tired out.
Il hope you enjoyed Yourself" said
Will. with polite irony, next morning.
ooh, splendidly, thank you, WILL"
answered Della frigidIy.
ut must be nicer than walking,
driving fine pair like Rays" said
VIII with acid emphasis.
"Well, do you know, VIII, think it
Is" said Della scathingIy.
a few days later Will, watching
gloomily from his window, saw Jim
Barton drive up to the house in his
roadster. He groaned in spirit What
could poor country fellow do in COM
petition with these rich commuters?
Della was as far removed from him
as if she were a being of another
planet.
Out of the house came Della, gay
under her parasol. She stepped into
the roadster, and in moment they
were off, Jim driving with all his
wonted reCklessness. And viii, chat
ing under his impotence and his lame
ness, saw the events of all that day in
spirit-saw the stop at the roadhouse
for supper, Jim flirting with Della,
perhaps kissing>her in the cleaning as
they went hOmeward.
He said nothing to Della next day,
but Della preached the subject of her
own accord
did you ever go to Harper's Beach,
WHIP" she inquired. eve had such
fun there yesterday. Oh, you must
gor'
IT'S pretty good way" said Will
81 suppose 1t is" said Della thought
fully. "What pity you haven't a
car, VIII; you ought to get one, you
would enjoy 1t so much"
A few days more passed, Delia's
vacation was nearing it's end when
there sounded roaring overhead.
VIII went hObbling out to look. Tom
!nslip's aeroplane was descending in
Deha's fathers field, And, few mo-
ments later, Della came out of the
house equipped in waterproof and
goggles.
"If it goes on much longer I'll go
mad" thought win as he watched
Della step into the machine.
Off they went, not round and round.
as in an aerodrome, but straight across
country in the direction of the sea.
VIII spent miserable day. He was
partly afraid some accident would hap
pen to Della, and partly Infatuated at
her various trips. She certainly was
hitting up the pace.
He waited anxIously until he heard
the machine returning, and then went
into the house.
Next day he and Della avoided each
other. And Della had no comment to
make about the airplane trip.
1t was the night before Delia's re-
turn. VIII had hobbled down to the
gate that led to the common. He stood
there, leaning on it miserably, and
sinking of the past. They had strOlled
over the common so often in days gone
by when they were lovers. 1t was at
that gate that Della had told him she'd
see about being engaged to him
"Well, it's all over" said VIII, and
turned hOmeward.
whats all oyer?" asked a timid
voice at his side. Will spun about.
There stood Della, the Della Of Old in
the old walking dress and country
shoes.
you know what I meant, Della"
said Will "You remember what l
asked you OF course l can't compete
with buggies and cars and airpIanes."
Il know, DEAR" answered Della. 81
wanted to see whether l liked high
speed any better than that dear old
quiet walk"
Della ~
1--WE took across the common. Be
cause, You see, the faster one goes,
the more one likes to go slow for
change, and-Oh. Will, you didn't think
I liked hurrying, did you?"