San Antonio light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1911-1993, 1923-01-12
A Girl of Her Time
by CAROLYN BEECHER
Copyright, 1928. by Carolyn Beecher

| the little CARL who had grown very
cunning and interesting. She was tC
be taught to say "Auntie Alice" Laura
said, and Alice happily assented
Alice and Laura seemed now TO be
closer together than since their school.
days. More tolerant of each others
/ ideas.
With so many interests Alice grew
happier-at least she brooded less when
alone.
Then one day at closing time, Kirk
! Ellison, walked into the shop.
you see / have come back. Alice.
/ had to,' he said as he took her
hands and held them in close, warm
grasp.
Il am very glad to see you, Kirk"
her voice was steady, but she had
turned very white.
Are you, little Alice? Really gladT'
"Of course, Kirk"
'Then may / come TO see you--at
Jour home in the couniry?' Without
waiting for an answer b, asked after
her father and mother, congratulated
her on the very evident prosperity Of
her shon. 81 had a few dreadful
moments he said. Il went TO the
old place, found il vacant. / feared
you had gone away"
Alice longed to ask about Adele, but
could not find courage. Finally he
mentioned that it was Adele who had
told him of the home VI the country.
Mentioned her name so casually Il
brought quick gasp of surprise to
Alice's lips. Then:
Il Imagine Ade,e will hook number
three before she returns. When l left
she had n duke running after her.
Poor fellow, he may find himself dis
carded as soon ds she tires of him.
Yet Adele isn't n bad sort. l saw
quite bit of her. and she-talked to
me about YOU
Talked about me?"
Eyes. led her on shamelessly. 1t
paid for all the time gave her."
Alice was honestly bewildered. No
man in love OH woman ever spoke
as TLk was speaking Of Adele Thurs
ton. He might have been talking of
Maria. or his office bay, save when
he mentioned her name, so Alice
thought,
eve were great friends once. Alice.
Can't We be again? I'm just The same
man you used TO play whit seems
ages ago. And"
Eyes, we were great friends once.
Kirk. But everything is changed. j
am a working woman now with
family TO support, and no time for
play. i. too, have changed. 1 am
not like / was then she interrupted.
II think / know what you mean,
Alice" He thought she referred TO
Shclby-her unpleasant experiences
her shattered love and faith. ''But
am the same-you can shut me out,
Of course. and I'll stay where you put
me-but shall be very unhappy"
81 shall not shut you out Kirk.
only wanted to make it plain that every
thing was different"
Then / may visit you in the coun-
try, see you here in town" The boy |
sh eagerncss in his voice startled her. |
Sometimes. yes. But you must not |
forget what / told you. am a real |
business woman now. Nv work has |
succeeded beyond my Widest dreams.
ret there is not yet time TO even call
/ halt" She did not explain the house |
vas not paid for and her plans for
he future.
Il never sfSll bother you, Alice. II
come when you are busy. why Send .
ne home! You used TO knew how to
10 it effectively"
They both laughed and the laugh
feared the air. After that they chat.
ed quitely for a while. then Kirk
eft her. But not before he had asked
PERMISSION to run down Saturday after
loon to pay his respects to her parents.
''You mar as well hay tinner with
s." she said almost iithout volitiOn.
We dine early, six-thirty, because of
ather."
ITO Be Continued)