The Cairo bulletin., 1909-12-27
TANNING
A CRANK

Barton declared that nothing ever
would induce him to go out to dinner
He insisted that wild horses could net
drag him out. He brought up num-
Der of reasons why it was not possible
for him to go. his best shoes were
too small, he had no dress suit, ke
couldn't bear society-and SO on.
His roommate listened patiently te
the end.
We'll, you may think 1t Is manly to
act like that" he said then, but
don't see 1t in that light. I've been
patient with your nonsense long
| enough. Now, either you act right
or it's all off between us, that's all.
you talk like a melodrama," de-
| clared Barton. IF prefer book by
the fire to dining at your fiancee's
house it's no reflection on her, since
| never saw her in my life"
IT'S the first thing I've asked you
| to do In months said his roommate
| in injured tones. ''And this is the ele.
CANT way get turned down"
II it were a personal matter" said
| Barton. You know I'm crank who
doesn't care for society"
Il know you're goodlooking, in
erlastingly tired returned his room.
| mate.
| Your statements don't agree,
laughed Barton But thank you for
| the bouquets just the same"
| II shall take ii as a personal
| affront IL you don't go with me to
| dinner to Alice's, when I'm going to
| be married and leave you in few
| weeks" insisted Bartons roommate.
You know haven't dress suit,
said Barton.
You don't suppose it's as formal
as that, do you,? It's just the fam
| lily"
| Il don't know the family"
THAT doesn't make any difference.
Be sport. That is, If you care any.
thing at all about my feelings"
| "Feelngs!"
| We'll, it's true; I'm making this Il
test case"
Barton heaved sigh and his room
mate waited till his back was turned
before he winked solemnly at the clcc
.ric light The battle was won
Barton changed his mind a thousand
times before the evening OF the din
ner, but his roommate always Goa
quered In the end, SO that the might
came with the invitation long accept
cd and not once declined. Barton
mounted the steps to the house as
though they led to the scatfold, an(
his companion only half guessed how
near he was to running, even after
the bell had been rung
| The door was opened by vision Il
pink.
| Barton gasped at the sight Nj
wonder he had had so many solitary
evenings during the past year ii tina
was Georges fiancee! She an
George had some joke and he had /
Minute in which to look at her befors
ne was presented. In that ninutef l.,
noted that her eyes were brown am
her hair simplicity and hoEesty itse'
He had had an idea that all girls wor,
false hair, but this girl didn't and ST
was the most charming creature L
had ever seen.
| Mary, | want to present my chun
Fred Barton George was sayinc
Fred, this Ia her sister, Where
Alice?"
The rest of the evening was q blu
to him when Barton looked back uro
it, He met Mary's mother and fathf
and an aunt and the sister, but i
didn't remember how any of the'
looked, SO dimmed were they by t..
one great light He talked, too, am
talked WELL and she smiled up at hin
several times in genuine liking,
After dinner they stayed an absurd
iy short time, though George said hi'
watch showed 1t was ten o'clock
Georges watch was always wrong
Barton remembered resentfully.