The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1908-11-01

to say that you wasn't invited. 1 want you to go
Got" echoed Tommy. why, I'm having per-
fecty ripping t:me!"
But" she limited delcately. there are other
things to be considered than that
Obi" he flushed. II understand. You mean it
would embarrass you-my being here without
card and all that OF course 1t would never
thought OF that. I'll go this minute"
When you so home' she said at last, gently
withdrawn her hand, you tell your mother from
me-no from a little stenographer that you were
kind to one night-that you already are one"
That already am one what!" demanded Tom
Miss Belden turned away and began slowly
fastening her Sister of Charity robe.
Il don't want you to Co." she said then, in a
rious voice. I've changed my mind. You prom
ised to give me supper. did you not? Put away
your absurd black domino. l am going to take you
in and introduce you to Mrs. vandervoort."
THAT would be NICE" he said cordially. II
really her apology. 1 suppose. for coming
here unlimited this way"
Oldcourt is curious community. It
strongly to fads, to lions. This time, beyond any
doubt. 1t Tommy Driscoll with his splendid
a,ertness, his magnificent good looks. his gay and
wonderful innocence. and. most incredible of all
about him. the fact that he so obviously did not
get into society. who the success of the
season.
But while his visit to Oldcourt prospecting.
Tommy was not unmindful Of his promise to his
mother, who not sharing these pleasant things
with him. On the seventh day. at twelve In the
morning. his trunks packed and gone. his ticket in
his inside pocket. his mission In brief, triumphanty
done, he rose for the second time In the Belden
drawing-room to tell It's single other occupant
goodbye. -.
Goodbye, ;" said Miss Belden and her voice now
curiously reminiscent of the little Sister Of
Charity.
And now" she went on, 'that you have done
half of-of what your mother wanted of you-for
she must now feel that that part is finished
splenddly-I hope with all my heart that you will
prosper well with-the rest Of it."
Marrying q Iady?" laughed Tommy "oh.
pshaw! never think of that. of course! I've al
ar, way. Haven't your" &Et
AZ always used to think that did," said Miss
Belden. II suppose that think STILL"
He took her hand and gazed down at her from
his great height, and there affection in his hon.
est eyes-real, deep. abiding afection-and Miss
Belden saw 1t and paled.
What a brick you are!" he said huskily. And
what luck for q chap like me to have you for q
friend"
Goodbye" said Miss Belden once more And
Tommy OF to catch his train.
On the PLATFORM he glanced at his watch: 1t was
still ten minutes train-time From his pocket
he produced presently q telegram from Hathaway's
and read 1t again with pleasant sensations; the
sage saying that his offer for the famous trade
mark accepted and that his portrait would
adorn the biil-boards more. He would never
have thought Of making that offer. She had sug-
gested that. had told him how well worth doing it
was.
Then suddenly he was not glad any more, but
strangely and terribly depressed, he had never
been before: in the Wink Of eye, at . signal.
heavy gloom, unaccountable, unreasonable. settled
down upon HIM. Vast dependency wrapped around
his being.
He sprang up and began pacing restlessly about.
The grizzled baggage agent eyed with some won
der the respondent young man who strobe SO
frownngiy about the platform. muttering strange
things to himself. Presently Tommy's eye fell up
him, and he drew near. struck by q sudden
thought
Have a cigar. my man?" he said, striving to
speak In easy conversational tone. "Er-what
does 1t mean, do you suppose. when you're leaving
place where you've only spent q week, and you
feel by George. ha. ha! rs though you going
to der
well. sir.' said the agent pleasantly, but prf-
vately marveling anew at the odd of cottagers.
well. sir If it was me- I'd say. Begin your pardon
sir, as there was a lady in the case"
"A lady in the easel" repeated Tommy. "a
lady In the easel"
He went back to his suitcase, sat down again.
and fell to thinking deeply and when q
lamp is flashed sharply into dark room, so now
light. new and wonderful. suddenly flooded the hid
den corners of his soul.
The way OF life and its utmost meaning rolled
out before him: face framed itself marvelously
upon the green hillside where his eye fastened;
and Tommy, face face with the best of all his
best things found himself at the Of his explora-
tions at last
In two minutes-for 1t took longer than that
he sprang up. laughing. and laid eager hold upon
bis suitcase and when the train came pant
ing In. the baggage agent wondering more than
ever, saw the strange young man who had so rest
Iessy waited for it. start hurricdly away.
Hey. therei" he called ood-naturedly. Here's
your train, sir-going this minute"
Train! I don't want q train" cried Tommy
over his shculder-never checking his swift pace
for IT seemed to him that there not another