Roanoke Rapids herald., 1923-12-07
LOVES WAYS
MARlLLA J. BORDEN

-. 1893. BY Mcclure Newspaper syndieate)
~ HERE will, no doubt, always be
class distinctions, but the Freers,
whose family had been farmers and
brick masons, were still 30 far from
knighthood, and the Bond family 70
remote from actual scullions, that all
Brookfield wondered why Mrs. Freer
said of the Bonds, In superior man
ner, "They are not at all our kind"
Cedric Freer was no snob. Every
body liked him and his jolly dad, but
the mother colossus was formidable
to both.
All her life, Mrs. Freer had been q
fighter, and had somehow got her way.
THAT unspeakable Bond girl and
her despicable mother talk and act as
II they owned Cedric" she snapped,
belligerently. II don't like that girls
behavior. I'll never accept her, for
she's not our kind, and that settles it."
settles It,"
"You say you love me, mother, but
you're making me very unhappy. Can't
you realize that Patricia Is just q
young open-hearted, modern girlf
Won't you be nice to her for my saksf
I should like 1t II you'd please not rs-
fer to my sweetheart again as that
GIRL love Patty, and I always shall
leve her"
Mrs. Frser's arms went around Ced-
ric's neck. Cedric, darling, promise
ne you won't let Patricia Bond inhu.
snce you against your own people.
Promise me you won't marry her,
darling"
Presently he answered, with avert
cd face: Patty never has tried to
influence me, mother. She wouldn't"
From that day Mrs. Freer's eyes fol.
lowed Cedric's every move. "Yol
must be crazy to imagine that girl
loves you. Cedric. She knows you
have wonderful prospects, and IL an
bilious. Oh, how l despise her snd
her schemes
Cedric shifted uneasily, and kicked
at 4 wrench he had dropped, listles.ly,
at his mothers approach. He oftsa
wondered about the beautiful, sell
sacrihcing mother love he had read Of.
Patricia and Cedric managed to meet
sccasionally. for they wanted each 9TH
or with all their hearts Patricia did
love CsdreAhis nne. cheery manner.
his fascinating smile and tender.
thoughtful ways. but Mrs. Frser
learned Of the trysts and brosdcasted
her disapproval Of Patricia In NO un.
certain terms. hoping to arouse he
| sih late driving her from Cedric.
Rsbsllieus pride became too power
ful for the beautiful, sensitive, high
strung girl. 1t would be a hard nght
- put Cedric out Of her life and keep
smiling; but she would do 1t, and would
face the Fresrs with head up.
Csdric's mother grew fearful Of pre-
pinauity and contrtved Western trip.
Cedric bade Patricia good-by with
trembling lips, but she smiled bravsly
Up At HIM. = 80 - -
Patncia's letters never reached c.
lr4e. but she was always In his mind.
He never tried to mask his feelings
and keep q. smiling face to his family.
They should know he was suffering.
He felt helpless and lonely and found
some small comfort in kissing Pa
triria's picture, though sometimes he
licked away. stung with Il sense Of un-
worthinsss or :falssnsss to one he
loved.
Mrs.. Frser kept up her spying and
Aagging. not. altogether convinced that
she had wrecked her boys romance.
She became. obssssed with new ideas
Of torture and gave Cedric no peace
until he had put Patricia's photograph
aside, Had she but known 1t. the
empty space became shrine as sym
belical Of his empty heart. Besides,
Cedric had another picture.
Months passed. and Patricia's father.
q genial, lovabls soul. who was neither
blind nor unsympathetic. suddenly de-
vsloped Western fever.
| Cedric was at his work unusually
early one sunny. glorious morning,
tricia.o He realised with 4 pang that
Patty had looked happy. buoyant. as
he gased Into the depths Of her charm
iag brown eyes. He had re-enacted
delightful drives together. said wonder
fsl good-nights and remembered the
long hours Of Oh. 50 long ago. when
As cssldn't slsso for sheer happiness.
Nsw everything Fatty had ever said q
leas still haunted him
Al. well He had attained his ma
5srity now. and would gradually. tact
fully claim his Independence.
A sound Of srHnehing gravel gave
promise Of an early customer.
"Hsllo, Sonnyi' called 4 wsll-re-
nembsred voice. 1--WE visited every
gas station In Lang Brae to find you.
Come. come. my boy! Service with q
smils. eh7"
But Cedric heard no sound. Gould
As still be drsaming1 When he could
speak. his voice sounded far away.
Patty. Patty"
AAd Patricia. a. much surprised ~
h, was calling to her mate
"Cs-Csdrie! Oh. ny dear. my desr!"
Mr.. and Mrs. Bsnd, deeply interest
- In the architecture Of service sta
usns, could barely SEE through misty
eyes. surely, such a Joyous rssaisa
veuld melt the heart Of 4 broAse
statue.