Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1908-05-07
She Hrgus Daily Short Story
Saving the Ticket. by Carl Williams.
Copyrighted 1908 by Associated Literary

she realized that in q few days she
would be going hack to the tawdry
glitter of the city. where she was
only one of the lockers on at the real
events and where her own field was
restricted to the people in her board
ing house, the few congenial girls in
the church club to which she belonged
and the half dozen men in the Office
where she spent her days bent over
q typewriter.
Seth Morey came up to claim the
first half or he next waltz. and as she
placed her hand in his he said. as
Nelly Briggs lad done before him:
II suppose 1t all seems foolish to
you. | guess you're used to men in
dress suits AM all that
Carol thought of the men who
danced with their hats on the back of
their heads .nd only smiled In reply
I'm thinking of coming TO the city
next fall Continued Seth. u guess l
need a little polishing up
You're better OF where yon arc"
said Carol YEARLY. IF you'll take my
advice you'll stay here
'.Of course we can't all be as clever
as you and get ahead as fast" he said
stifiiy. There's Tommy Madigan.
think he has the second chance at
this dance
Carol knew as well as Seth that
Tommy was not next In turn. but she
| accepted the exchange and went
whirling about the hall with him.
while Seth sat in a corner gIowering
| upon the crowd Of dancers and fierce
| ly assured himself that he was foolish
te imagine that a girl like Carol would
| care for country fellow like himself
after she had met so many smart men
J in the city.
Humbly he admitted the truth of her
suggestion that he could not make
progress in town. and he succeeded in
becoming thoroughly miserable
He was glad when the two piece or
| ehestra struck up Home. Sweet
| Home" and the girls hurried to tht
dressing room for their wraps. He
waited at the door for Carol.
| MAY l walk home with you?" he
asked as she came from the dressing
room in her smart coat and furs.
| tiff you won't be cross again." as
senteG Carol, slipping her arm through
his. You know very WELL" she added
| as they descended the stairs. 'that
Tommy Madigan was not next on my
list. and yet you got angry because
urged you to stay here at home in
stead of trying your luck in town."
II know was foolish" he asserted
| little sadly. I'D stand no chance
with those city bred fellows. You al
ways were clever and could &c
| ahead"
/ at isn't that" explained Carol. I'm
going to tell you all about it, Seth. it,
all been a big mistake. Everybody III
here suppoSes that l am doing so wei
that can afford to come home for /;
rest without waiting for the summel
vacation. That's not 1t at ALL"
But you're here. and it's only April.
he reminded her.
i I'm here" she went on. because
broke down trying to live and dres
myself and do everything on 81 :
week. 1 had to have nice clothes or
could not get place had to put m.
money on my back instead OF into m.
food. They have no use for a girl VIII
i does not convey the impression tina
! | the Office is a prosperous one. I'm sicl
and tired Of it all. and I loathe the ide
Of going back"
"Yon wouldn't care to stay on here.
he declared incredulously. "You don
have half the fun. This was bi
event tonight for us. Just contrast
with the times you have in town."
u have: that's what makes me .
miserable" she confessed. 'ln town
don't go to the great balls you rea
] about unless it's to stand outside !