The Randall County news. (Canyon City, Tex.) 1908-1926, 1910-09-16
TANNING
A CRANK

Barton declared that nothing ever
would induce him 10 go out 10 dinner
He insisted that wild horses could not
drag him out He brought up num-
Der OF reasons why IL was not possible
for him 10 go His best shoes were
100 small, he had no dress suit. he
couldn't bear society--and so on.
His roommate listened patiently GO
the end
Well. you may think II is manly to
Get like that" he said then, but
don't see ii in that light. I've been
patient with your nonsense long
enough Now. either you act right
or it's all of between us. that's all"
you talk like melodrama,' de
elared Barton. III prefer book by
the fire TO dining at your flancee's
house it's no reflection on her. since
] never saw her in my life"
It's the first thing I've asked you
60 do in months" said his roommate
In injured tones. And this is the ele-
giant way get turned down"
Il don't see the use Of treating IL as
II il were personal matter" said
Barton. You know I'm a crank who
doesn't care for society"
Il know you're good.looking. in
teresting fellow, and you make me ev-
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 il as personal
snront II you don't go with me TO
dinner to Alice's. when I'm going to
be married and leave YOU in a few
weeks" insisted Barton's roommate.
You know | haven't a dress suit"
said Barton
You don't suppose It's as formal
rs that, do you? It's just the fam.
ny."
81 don't know the family"
THAT doesn't make any difference.
Be a sport That is, II you care any
thing at all about my feelings
Feelings"
well, it's true; I'm making this .
test case"
Barton heaved a sigh and his room
mate waited till his back was turned
before he winked solemnly at the cleo.
tric light The battle was won.
Barton changed his mind thousand
times before the evening Of the dim
ner, but his roommate always con-
suered In the end. 30 that the night
came with the invitation long accept
I'd and not once declined. Barton
mounted the steps to the house ~
though they led to the sca6old. and
lis companion only half guessed how
near be was to running, even after
Ne bell had been rung
The door was opened BY . vision 10
sink.
Barton CAPPED ct the sight. No
wonder he had had 80 many solitary
evenings during the past year IL that
vas Georges haneee! She and
George had some joke and he had .
minute in which to look at her before
he was presented. In that minute he
.oted that her eyes we're brown and
her hair simplicity and honesty itself
He had had an idea that all girls wore
false hair, but this girl didn't and she
was the most charming creature be
had ever seen.
Mary. want TO present my chum,
Fred Barton" George was saying.
FIRED. this is her sister Where's
Alice"
The rest of the evening was a blur
20 him when Barton looked back upon
81. He met Mary's mother and father
and an aunt and the sister, but he
didn't remember how any of them
looked, so dimmed were they by the
one great light He talked. too. and
talked well, and she smiled up at him
several times in genuine liking.
After dinner they stayed an absurd
ly short time, though George said his
watch showed It was ten o'clock
Georges watch was always wrong,
Barton remembered resentfully.