The Dolores star., 1924-06-27

sense Of humOr, what we think of as
romance in other peoples lives be-
comes tragedy In our own"
How much did he knowf
"Yes." she said. II suppose that is
So"
II know 1t is So" he went on. "If
we could read the thoughts-know the
e1periences-of those nearest to us.
we would never need to look out of
our own circles for either romance or
tragedy. But 1t Is as well that we
can't. Take the experience of today,
for example. I admit 1t has not been
commonplace day. and yet 1t has not
been altogether extraordinary. Think
of the experiences we have been
through just this day. and how. II they
were presented in fiction, they would
be romantic, almost unbelievable And
here we are at the close. sitting on
rock, matter-of-fact people In
matter-of-fact world, accepting every.
thing as commonplace and unexcep-
tional."
Not quite that" she said daringly
Il see that you are neither common.
with sudden impulse out of the depth
Of her sincerity. She had not met
man like this before. In her mind
she fixed him in contrast with Trans
ley, the sef-confident and aggressive,
and Linder. the shy and unassertive.
None Of those Ndjectives seemed to fit
this new acquaintance. Nevertheless,
he suffered nothing by the contrast.
"If had been bright enough would
have said that first" he apologized,
but 1 got rather carried away in one
of my pet theories about romance
Now my life, suppose. to many peo-
pie would seem quite tame and unro-
mantle, but to me 1t has been de-
lightful succession Of somewhat placid
adventures. 1t began in a very ortho-
dox way. in very orthodox family.
My father, under the guidance, no
doubt, of whatever star governs such
lucky affairs, became possessed of
comfortable fortune, and was
brought up to fit my station in life.
whatever that means. There were
just two boys of us, and I was the
elder. My father had become brok-
er. He wanted me to go into the Of
flee with him, but some way I didn't
fit in. I've no doubt there was lots
Of romance there too, but was of the
! wrong nature; 1 simply couldn't get
enthusiastic over 1t. Being of frank
disposition l conflded in my father
that 1 felt was wasting my time
In brokers' office. He, being of an
equally frank disposition. confided in
me that he entertained the same opin-
ion.
II could see that my father was
panied and disappointed. even in his
anger. You have upset all my plans,
you have destroyed all my hopes he
charged me. His voice was hard, but
I think that was to keep 1t from
breaking. What's the use of making
money II you haven't son to carry
on7 Roy'-that is my younger broth
er-'is too young as yet, and, 1 think,
a trifle reckless for responsibility. I
was counting on you to take up the
load when 1 laid it down. Besides
he went on. I had other plans for
your future The dear old fellow
had been giving more thought to 1t
than 1 had suspected. Within a few
years you should marry. Now there's
Emily Forcep'-that wasn't her name,
but 1t will do for purposes of CONVEX
satlon-'good family, and well off. Col
onel Forcep and l are agreed that it
would be just the thing. Capital
match for you. my boy
But 1 protested, I don't love
Miss Forcep. Why, 1 hardly know
her!'
"'That will come in time said he
You're at the romantic age just now,
but later you'll understand 1t isn't
hard to love girl who Is well brought
up and has million in her own
right
"At that flared up. Nothing do
Ing said. very disrespectfully. I am
afraid. If your business, and your
money, and Miss Forcep. and her
money, not to speak of Colonel For
cep, have to be counted as a going
concern. you can keep the lot. My
life is my own and I'm going to live
1t in my own way"
Grant paused. and the girl found
her fingers resting on his knee.
1t was very delightful to have the cur
tain lifted on this strong mans career
Go on" she whispered.
1--WE been sorry for 1t since-not
for what l did; I've never been sorry
for that-but for what l said You
see. my life wasn't my own; it was
his. who gave 1t to me; his, and my
dead mothers. But young fellows
don't think of that-not, at least, un-
til II Is too late