Evening star., 1923-07-08


range diplomats are still fly
ing, and there are other reac-
tions New romances develop with
the war as a background. and 1t is
too early to close the~book to Cupid
in that relation.
Tobias Benham, perhaps the home
liest young man in Wichita county.
Tex, was an early volunteer In the
A. E. F. He fought like a wildcat,
and landed in a hospital early in the
game.
Miss Deering. the pretty nurse who
ministered to Benham, had another
patient-a handsome chap named
Chalmer. who had the eyes of a poet.
deep, dark and fascinating. The reg
hair did not dissipate the notion that
it must be wonderful if given its way.
His voice was low and musical, and
grace controlled even his restricted
| movements as patient.
Nature may not deliberately design
a man to break the hearts Of women.
but if nature does, Chalmer was born
to cause endless sentimental disturb
ance in the sex.
Benham. awkward, red-haired,
iorid and difident, was different. His
manner was abrupt and disconcert-
| ing. He bewailed the misfortune that
confined him, and was hard to man.
age. But the pretty nurse was pa
tient with him. Blond, with a skin
1 Ii K in, ha
body, Miss Deering was sunshine
| where sunshine was needed.
/ AS he became convalescent, Chal-
mer made love quietly and gently to
the nurse. She seemed to Benham
who was awed at her beauty, and
! who was jealous. to invite Chalmer's s
cooling overtures. And when Chalmer
left the hospital Benham saw him
and the nurse talking together in low
tones, as others saw them. and de-
cided that it was a love match.
When Benham left the hospital
! bound again for the front he was as.
| tonished at Miss Deering's gracious
ness to him. and regretted that h.
was not good looking enough anC
had lacked the initiative to max,
love to her himself.
IN ETCRNING to Texas, Benham who
IN wore medals that testified to his
| wore medals that testified to his
| bravery as a soldier, had a heros vel.
come, and even the young women h,
had known but casually before hi,
war experience seemed to find hin
attractive. But if any thought ol
! woman came to him it took the shape
; OF Miss Deering.
, The oil excitement that has made
| Texas famous as field for quick for.
| tunes involved the Benham farm.
and Benham's family were soon mum.
; bered among the rich. Benham's ex.
perience in France had made hin
restless, although it had not affected
his industry. But with money ht
| had a wish to see something of life
| outside, and New York was his 0rs
ambition.
In the great city, after taiiors ant
| BARRIERS had done their work. Benhan
seemed another person. His face wa.
|
he was ardent with health. Ther,
was an outgiving of physical power
in him that made up for any lack o
polish.
Benham one day entered a grea
! 5th avenue book shop to see if h,
| could find some of the ILLUSTRATED
! French, publications that were 81
| popular with the boys who wen
abroad. At the foreign periodical
counter he found Miss Deering, moved
by like curiosity.
why. Mr.. Benham" She put ou
/ well you look,"'
Same to you, Miss Deering-if yol
are still Miss Deering" He hated te
let go of her hand.
"Of course 1 am! What are you do.
ing in New York;"
Just enjoying myself Sort of va.
cation. Never been here, and wanted
TO see if the town is as big as they
say"
DO you live in Texas still?"
When I'm home. But l may gel
stuck on New York"
He was encouraged by the welcome
in her eyes, His natural diffidenc.
left him long enough to add: Stop
ping at the Hotel Pennsyl, Bnia.
wonder If you wouldn't just have sup
per with me there tonight?'
She hesitated a moment. For ole
times sake perhaps 1 ought to
Where shall 1 see your"
I'll be waiting for you at the ladies
entrance at 6 o'clock"
Very we'll. I'll come" And shs
| took his hand again as she left him.
Benham was so elated over the en-
gagement that clocks seemed to stan,
still. Walking up the avenue, he alb
sentfy kept his watch in his hand
And ne was at the hotel. all eyes, a
4 o'clock. His nervousness Increased
when he saw her enter. In the mean
time he had reserved a table in
corner by virtue of a tip that woul'
have bought more than one dinner IL
Texas.
I'm a little green about ordering
| meal in such a hotel" he said as the,
took their places II wish you'd or
der just what you want, Miss Deer
ling"
But how about yourself?"
me? Anything you order'll do
I'm not hungry"
4 II u
lTHE dinner ordered. Miss Deering
i to make conversation, as Benhar