The Morning examiner. [volume] (Ogden, Utah) 1904-1910, 1910-05-01
TANNING
A CRANK

Barton declared that nothing ever
would induce him TO go out to dinner.
He insisted that Wild horses could not
drag him out He brought mp num-
bcr OF reasons why Il was not possible
for him TO go. His best shoes We're
TOO small. he had no dress suit. he
couldn't bear socIety-and so on.
HIS roommate listened patiently to
the end
"Well. you may think It is manly to
act 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 MS. that's all.
You talk like melodrama." de-
cIared Barton. III / prefer book by
the fire TO dining at your hancec's
house It's no reflection on her, since
/ never saw her IN my life"
IT'S the hrst thing I've asked you
TO do in months" said his roommate
In injured tones. And this 10 the Gle
CANT way get turned down
81 don't see the use OF treating Il as
II It were a personal matter, said
Barton. You know I'm crank who
doesn't care for society"
Il know you're a goodlooking. In.
teresting fellow. and you make me ey-
crlastingly tired" returned his room
mate
Your statements don't agree
laughed Barton. But thank you for
the bouquets just the same"
Il shall take n as n personal
nffront 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 Bnrton's 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
Dy"
Il 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 a
test case"
! Barton heavcd Sigh and his room
mate waited TIL his back wns turned
before he winked solemnly at the elec'
trio light. The battle was won.
! Barton changed his mind 4 thousand
times before the evening OF the din.
ner. 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 10 the house es
though they led to the scaflold. and
| his companion only half guessed how
near he was to running. even after
the boil had been ruDg.
Tho door was opened By vision In
pink.
Barton gasped at the sight No
wonder nc had had so many solitary
evenings during the past year II that
was Georges f1anceei She and
George had some joke and he had a
minute In which TO look at her before
ne was presented. In that minute be
noted that her eyes were 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 he
had ever seen.
Mary. l want TO present my chum,
Fred Barton" George was saying
Fred. this Is her sister. Where's
Alice?"
The rest OF the evening was blur
to him when Barton looked back upon
g. lie met Mary's mother and father
and an aunt and the slater, but he
didn't remember how any OF thcm
looked, 40 dimmed wete they by the
one great light. He talked, too. and
talked we'll. and she smiled up at him
several times in genuine liking.
After dinner they stayed an absurd.
" short time. though George said his
watch showed 1t was ten o'clock
Georges watch was always wrong,
Barton remembered resentfully.