The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1938-03-04

He was bitterly ashamed to have
her know how let-down he really
was-how intolerable the situation
had become to him. Often he felt
that could he talk freely-get the
sense of rebellion at this way Of
living out of his system, it would
ease the strain; but Nora was wor-
ried enough as it was, he argued.
Why add to her troubles? Let her
think, if she could, that he was at
last becoming Injured to this hectic
existence which his fellow men re-
garded as the natural thing.
To Don, filled with spring wander
lust, the long days seemed inter-
minable, and the Office little bet
ter than a prison cell. There came
an evening when he could not 60 to
Nora for fear she would suspect the
terrible unrest that had possession
of him. Instead he tramped for
miles into the country, trying to
find peace from the stars-the cool
of evening-the wild, sweet scent OF
growing things.
It was late when he turned his
steps toward town. Peace had elud-
ed him. He could not find it. Reach
ing a bridge he paused to rest a
moment, gazing down into the in
finite blackness of moving water.
Peace must be there, he unused.
Peace and GOODNESS; release from
this CHASTITY treadmill that men
called Life. After all, did the cow
ards have the best of it? Or in that
somewhere beyond did they look
back regretfully, sorrowfully, wish
ing they'd played the game-wish-
ing
''Thinkin' about ending it all?"
came a voice close at his side.
Don started guilty., having been
too lost in thought to hear approach
ing footsteps. Now the bright star
light showed him that a girl had
spoken, her small, thin, pointed face
looking up at him without fear. yet
without holiness.
''Not seriously" he answered, as
If there were nothing unusual in her
question. SIS that what you were
considering, this time of night?"
The girl shrugged, the cynical
shrug of a bored fapper: an imi-
tation, possibly, of some cheap ac-
tress of the screen.
81 tried it once" she confessed
quite simply. "Honest I did; but a
cop got in the way"
Don turned to look at her more
closely, his interest rising.
$50 you find life as desperate as
that?" he questioned.
Sometimes I do. Some days I
don't care nothin' about Twin
Say!" she broke off suddenly, ''have
you got a grill mean steady?"
He nodded, thinking how Nora
would appreciate the appellation.
"But you amt married. Anyone
with half an eye could see it. You
don't look tied"
Don't II" Don smiled at this
description. 1.-THE truth is, I'm tied
to ledger-an immense and horri-
BILE black book chock full of figures
that persist in dancing before my
eyes when I want to sleep, and
getting into the wrong columns day.
times, just to be spiteful."
"You better be thankful they don't
smell bad," the girl retorted. 81
work in a dye house. Some days !
can't hardly eat my lunch. How
long you been goin' with your sweet
lie, anyhow"
Don was beginning to enjoy HIM
self. To be revealing his life his
tory to an utter stranger, with no
thought of the conventions, brought
back the days of easy vagabondage
that had once been his. Besides,
this encounter would be something
to tell Nora-something amusing.
He answered, dropping with ease
into the vernacular Of his compan-
ion, a habit which endeared him to
chance acquaintance: We've been
going together more'n year now,
sister,"
'tAnd you amt tired of herr"
s'Not SOS you'd notice It'll" grinned
Don.
The girl drew in breath which
seemed, somehow, laden with dis
couragement.
81 bet she's got lot O. swell
clothes then, boy"
Not moving his head, Don turned
his eyes little. The moon had
come from behind a bank of clouds,
and he saw distinctly the much
washed, sleazy frock the girl was
wearing. Even a patch under one
arm was visible as she raised her
elbows to the parapet. and, looking
down into the dark water, repeated
the statement she had just made:
II bet she's got a lot o. clothes"
Don said, vision of Nora's silver
slippers and gay chiffons rising be-
fore him: ''I'n say she has! But
believe me, girl, I'd think as much
of her without 'em."
"A lot you would"
She laughed, q dreary, yet some
how brave attempt at mirth that
hurt Don strangely.
Maybe you think you would.
Maybe you never seen her till she
was all dolled up. ! bet she don't