San Antonio light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1911-1993, 1925-08-17

llSNSl " ouSti SOtNt
"Nu-never before.
They walked up a curving
trail, for there were yet no
houses on this road. Nora
Lee said: Mother, how old
were you when you met my
father?"
sixteen"
aid you love him very much?"
perhaps it was love that / loved. !"
"Oh. don't say that! I feel so sorry
for him. You were just II when you
we're married? Do you think that's
too young"
at is sweet to love at II, Nora
Lee. 1t is tragic to marry. You
aren't thinking of running away from
me so soon?"
1.-THE idea! I was only discussing
things. You always get personal"
But Nora Lee had already swept
the world clean of all images, but
one-a fine, brown head, twinkling
eyes and a strong, clean jaw. She
wondered where he was at this min
ute-where at that-if he thought Of
her-if she would ever see him
again. She wrote a most touching
letter thanking him for his kind
ness at the dance. She didn't know
where to send it, and would have
died rather than ask Connie.
THE FIRST GOODBY.
One Sunday two weeks after the
dance he came. WANTED to see you
before 1 left, Nora Lee. Wanted to
make sure that there really was
such a girl" He grinned down at
her.
You're going away, Dane?"
His face was all lighted with en-
tbusiasm. "Yes-all over the earth.
Vacation job. Want to come down
and see me off,"
She didn't know how she managed
to laugh so gaily: COR course, if you
want me. 1 owe it in gratitude"
THAT the only reason?"
"No-I guess not" She was fright
ened at this admission, and not know
ing what to do, put a record on the
photograph. as this appropriately
1t was Tosti's "Goodby."
He came and stood beside her. A
soft, radiant fire ran up in magnetic
warmth even to her throat. When he
reached down and covered her hand
she could hardly breathe. Then she
met his laughing eyes, filled with all
the sweetness, all the voting and ten
der feeling in the world. She wished
that he would keep his hand forever on
hers. She wished that he would stoop
and kiss her.
But he didn't.
He was going on a trip to China
as a messboy see the world
and earn enough to help with college
the next semester.
When Nora Lee went down to see
him off he was running about, carry
ing boxes: take you around in
minute. Got to finish this first
Suddenly the word came: Visit
ors off,"
They looked at each other in blank
disappointment. He had both hands
and arms laden. When she looked
up he grinned: "Well, well, Nora
Lee!"
She laughed, too. "Well-well-
goodby, Dane!" Oh, her heart was
a weighted stone. She ran down the
gangplank quickly, winking her eyes
hard.
She watched the boat till it curved
at the island and went stcaming over
through the straits.
Connie said: "Was the farewell
very tender? If he's anything like
my adorable Mickey-wen! Skyrock-
ets!"
do you mean you and Mickey are
like that?"
Wrathfully: Like what, Nora
Lee?'
Il don't believe in itl7
"You don't know what you're talk
ing about! That's ALL" Yet for
some reason Connie wished Nora Lee
to think well of her. She went on.
almost pleading: "You don't mean
to say you think there's anything
wrong in a little petting, do you!
Everyone does it. It's the stuff lifc's
made Of And if you're artistic,
why not?"
"You car never be sure there's no
harm. Besides, it's cheap"
ain your case, I'm here to say ig-
norance is tragedy! That's all.
Cheap? All, delish! Cease, poor
heart until tonight. suppose my |
passions will be the ruin of me yet |