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

Barton declared that nothing evel
would induce him to go out TO dinner
He insisted that wild horses could no
drag him out He brought up a mum
her of reasons why IL was not possible
for him 10 go. His best shoes were
600 small, he had no dress suit, hs
couldn't bear s~ociety-and so on
His roommate listened patiently &C
the end.
We'll, YOU may think 1t is manly tc
act like that" he said then, but
don't see ii in that light. I've beer
patient with your nonsense lons
enough. Now. either you act RICH,
az it's all of between US. that's all"
You talk like a melodrama," de
elared Barton. IF l prefer a book by
b fire TO dining at your flancee's
house it's no reflection on her, since
] eve saw her in my life"
It's the first thing I've asked you
70 do in months" said his roommate
in injured tones. And this is the ele-
kabt way 4 Get tuIueG UoNu.
Il don't see the use of treating il as
IL il were a personal matter said
Barton. You know I'm a crank who
doesn't care for society"
Il know you're a 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"
T shall take il as a personal
afront 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 q dress suit"
said Barton.
You don't suppose It's as formal
as that, do you,? It's just the fam.
ly."
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"
We'll, 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.
Uic light. The battle was won.
Barton changed his mind a thousand
times before the evening Of the dim
Der. but his roommate always con.
quered in the end, so that the night
came with the invitation long accept.
ed and not once declined. Barton
mounted the steps to the house as
though they led TO the scafold, and
his companion only half guessed how
hear he was to running, even after
The bell had been rung.
The door was opened by a vision in
pink.
Barton gasped Al the sight. No
wonder he had had so many solitary
evenings during the past year If that
was Georges fancee, She and
George bad some joke and he had a
minute in which 70 look al her before
he was presented. In that minute he
noted that her eyes were brown and
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 he
had ever seen.
Mary, ] want to present my chum,
Barton George was saying.
Fred, this is her sister. Where's
Alice"
The rest OF the evening was a blur
him when Barton looked back upon
He met Mary's mother and father
and an aunt and the sister, but he
didn't remember how any OF them
so dimmed were they by the
one great light. He talked, too. and
well. and she smiled up at him
times in genuine liking.
After dinner they stayed an absurd
~ short time. though George said his
watch showed IL was ten o'clock.
Georges watch was always wrong,
remembered resentfully.