New Britain herald. [microfilm reel] (New Britain, Conn.) 1890-1976, 1927-06-15
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,vnso u o,ao,eo ~ ,.u,u onpc mr. bYnA McclOM GIBSON
HlDA McClONt GIBSON

DA McClONt GIBSON
OF course. he was some man VIII
wanted to get his clutches on hi
mothers money. She ought to real
ize that she was too old to attrac
man. He stopped as he felt hi
face grow hot. His common sens,
whispered that he who had beer
bowled over by Lyra Hilliard-s
woman nearly the age of his mother
might not be considered capable
of judging how old woman mus
be before she would cease to attract
some man.
The more he thought Of 1t, how.
ever, the more hurt and angry hi
got.
His mother should have stayed
where he left her. After all, he was
the head of his fathers house. He
could not picture her established In
Washington.
He was cut adrift. He seemed to
have lost everything that he had
ever felt was his own. First, be-
cause Of a moments madness. Nat
lee had told him she would ne er
marry him. Then, because he
thought he must be patriotic and
follow in his fathers footsteps, he
had Joined up for this silly old war.
which up to date had neither thrills
nor glory, consisting, as 1t did. OF
bad food, hard work and continual
ly being sworn at by ignorant
"non-coms and shaye-tails."
And Iyra Hilliard-why had she
picked on h,m? Could no woman
resist a little attention from man,
young or old?
Phil shook himself as though to
get away from all these unpleasant
| thoughts. He was also a little
ashamed to have put his mother in
the same category with Lyra Hill
| lard.
He even smiled little as he saw
Rod coming from the company Ia
lor with the two bars on his sleeve
which had been given him that
morning. But his pride in Rods
being made a corporal held a sting.
as he knew that in the nature Of
things it would spoil some Of their
intimate friendship. Nevertheless. he
snapped into salute and asked:
What are you going to do tonight,
| Corporal? I'd like to celebrate with
you"
Sorry. Wyrne, will be on duty
tonight" and passed on.
That evening Phil, who had been
getting more and more discontinued,
for Rod had been very busy all day.
wandered into town and ordered a
room at the hotel. reveled in a very
hot bath. dressed and brushed his
clothes. shoes and hair with the
same scrupulous precision, and went
down to dinner.
As he was shown to his table, he
passed Lieutenant Andrews and one
Of the prettiest girls he ever saw.
He found himself nearly opposite
his commanding officer. but that
did not keep him from smiling at
the girl.
She. having no reverence for the
red tape OF the army. and noting
that the private was handsomer
than the officer she was with, re-
turned his smiles with interest. The
two managed to work up gay lit
tie filtration before Phil finished his
dinner.
THE lieutenant will probably put
ME on K. 2. tomorrow" he said TO
himself, as with gay wave OF his
hand he swung out OF the door.
who Is that girl in there with
Lieutenant Andrews" he asked the
man at the desk.
THAT is Miss Marta Tennis" an
swered the clerk.
Hastily taking out his mothers
letter OF Introduction to her mother.
he wrote on the back OF It: MAY ]
call soon?"
Then ne very ostentatiously called
a waiter and stood at the dining
room door until he caught her nod
OF permission, and incidentally the
raging fury of the lieutenant.
As he left the dining room he
realized tina. he was lonely. He
cursed the lieutenant. He missed
Rod. He walked out aimlessly, until
all at once he became aware that
he was in narrow street filled en-
.irely with men.
Each side OF this street was lined
with what seemed to be a great
high wall pierced alternately with
a window and a door-a window
and a door.
When these doors were open and
curtains were IN. one would catch
a glimpse through them Of a bed. a
chair. chest OF drawers and
half-open bathroom. while almost.
always a woman stood at the door
way with hrckoning smiles.
With a distastcful shrug Of the
shoulders. Phil passed on until he
was stopped by the sound OF a rasp-
ing cough. He raised his eyes to
the face OF frail girl. very young
and evidently very sick and miser-
able.
Her eyes challenged him with her
unhappiness.
He stared at her for a moment,
and then brushing her inside. he
went in and shut the door.
CHAPTER xxx
On Kitchen Police
The girl. still coughing stood for
q moment while Phil waited uncom-
fortahly for the paroxysm to pass.
As soon az it became little less
she moved toward the window and
pulled down the shade. Then she
came back and sat down on the