Evening star., 1922-01-01


He came down the Apoeee street
nspicuously creeping through the
dust, large, amiable man III derby.
He had only fifty-one minutes be-
fore-the return OF the Apogee branch
train to the junction, TO connect wSh
the next express westward.
LIE rang; he pounded at TIE front
l door he went round 10 the back
and there he discovered Aurilla's
mother, washing napkins. She looked
at him over her spectacles: and she
shifted: .'Yes?"
DO you remember | came through
here recently? Racing car? i wanted
to see Miss Rivers for moment
You can't. She's at school. teach
ing"
when will she be back" Its four
now"
Maybe right away. maybe not till
six"
His train left at 4:49. He waited
on the front steps. 1t was 4:2l when
Aurilla Rivers came along the walk.
He rushed to her, his watch in his
hand. and before she could speak, he
was pouring. out:
Member me? Darn glad. Got less
n twenty-eight minutes before have
to catch train San Francisco steamer
Japan possibly India afterwards glad
to see me please oh please don't be
Rivers be Aurilla just got twenty
seven m half minutes glad"
"Why-why-ye- -ye-es--
Thought about me-"
"Of course"
through again."
You're so egotisticai.
NO, just in hurry. Only got
twenty-seven minutes more. Ever
wish I'd come back? Oh-please,
Can't you hear the Japan steamer
whistling-calling u.s."
Japan"
Like to see IL?
Terribly"
will you come with me? III have
a preacher meet us on the train. If
you'll phone to Detroit and find out
all about me- Come. Quick. Marry
me, Just twenty-six and half
more"
She could only whisper in answer:
NO l mustn't think of it. 1t tempts
me I've thought of you-and the
beautiful adventure-fiying off half
round the world. But mother would
never consent.
What has your mother to do"
Everything, With our people. the
Individual is nothing, the famlly's
sacred 1 must think of Bradley
Rivers and old Zenas and hundreds
OF fine old Yankees. building up
something so much bigger than just
one individual happiness. It's, oh,
noblesse oblige."
How could he. in the face of her
ancestor tell the truth? He
burst out:
But you'd like to. Aurilla! just
TWENTY-FIVE minutes now" He chucked
his watch into his pocket. See here
want to kiss you. I'm going 1000
miles away. and I can't stand it. un-
less-Im going to kiss you, there
under the grape arbor"
His fingers slipped under her elbow.
She came reluctantly, appealing. NO.
no, please, mo-" till he swept the
words away with kiss, and in the
kiss she forgot all that she had said,
and clung to him, begging: oh, don't
go away. Don't leave me here in
this dead village. Stay here-catch the
next steamer! Persuade mother"
Il must catch this one. I'm due
there-big race. Come"
"with-without clothes?'
Buy 'em on way-San Francisco"
mo, mustn't. And there are
others to consider besides mother.
"Mr Dawson?"
Really care for him."
Hes very gentle and considerate.
and really, such good scholar.
Mother wants Mr.. Dawson to get a
pastorate on Cape Cod. and she
thought that way I migh: pick up
the old threads and be a real Rivers
again. As Mrs. Dawson I could find
the old house and all"
She was interrupted by his two
hands behind her shoulders, by his
eyes searching her with bitter
honesty.
Don't you ever get tired Of ances-
tors1" he cried.