Mexico Missouri message. (Mexico, Audrain County, Mo.) 1899-1918, 1910-12-01

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was also the most unpopular with the
authorities, owing to neglect of his
studies and a frolicsofne disregard Of
college rules. In addition to his other
criA2ss Billy was a ladies' man and
travelled extensively on the trolley
lines between Athens and the two
neighboring women's colleges.
One day Mrs. Veriton, wife Of the
new professor, telephoned the Phi Tau
house, in which Billy lived The con-
nection was poor, and the janitor
thought she asked for Mr.. Lamb. Billy
came to the phone. With difficulty he
comprehended that he was being in
vited to afternoon tea on Sunday to
see your friend, Mary Armitage, and
some other young ladies'" William
Lamb was surprised. He did not
know Mrs. Veriton, who had lately
come to town; he had never heard of
Mary Armitage. However, here was
an opportunity to meet girls, and he
seized it.
On Sunday Mrs. Veriton opened her
door to a respondent youth. Her face
er to her and the painful fact that
she was not expecting him to tea.
With his most engaging smile he re-
minded her of the invitation she had
given him by telephone. The lady
looked blank and asked his name.
Lamb" replied Billy, looking as
innocent as his namesake.
aXNbof 20 typtrr
phi Tau"
Mrs. Veriton laughed. well, this
is funny. When l telephoned you l
thought l was talking to Reginald
Lyon, a friend of mine. Don't you
/ remember how hard 1t was for us to
understand each other?"
Billy murmured sadly that it was
all his mistake, and Mrs. Veriton In
sisted that she had been stupid, and
she was very sorry it had happened
SO. Then she awaited the young
mans departure, but he fingered with
a panied look of disappointment. FL
nally she said: Il shall be one man
short, and-wont you come in and
meet the young ladies, any way?"
1T would be a great pleasure, but
l don't think l ought to, under the
circumstances" answered the diplo-
matte youth.
Mrs. Veriton was impulsive. do
come in" she urged.
With seeming reluctance the unin-
vited guest entered the drawing room.
! Here he was introduced to several
other girls, and to Mary Armitage,
| who, in five minutes, was the only one
| in the room for him. Then-Billy
| Lamb fell really and truly in love
with pretty, timid creature, who had
never in her life been out from I'M
der a chaperon's eye. No college girls
/ liberty had been her lot. Her father,
who had brought her up, believed in
the sheltered life for his daughter,
and marriage to a husband Of her own
choosing. All this demure Mary con-
fided to Billy Lamb as they sat in a
corner and played with their teacups.
And oh, Mr.. Lamb" she added pa
thetically. my future husband is here
in this college, now" Her nearer start
ed. Father has Just written to Cousin
Kate Veriton that he has promised me
10 the son of one of his friends and
that this son is a member of the
senior class"
Billy looked his amazement; he was
too astonished to speak.
Promise me you'll not tell, Mr.
Lamb-not a soul? Well, Cousin Kate
and l both think that Reginald Lyon
is the man."
Great Scott" exclaimed her com
panion in genuine horror. Lyons a
perfect lady, always afraid Of muss
ing his clothes. He doesn't know
enough to do anything but smoke
cigarettes. Miss Armitage, you mustn't
be coerced into marrying such al
apology for a man"
Her eyes grew big at the mere sug
gestion of opposition to her parent
You don't know my father. l shall
have to do as he says" was her re
signed reply.
The party was breaking up and Bill
" rose reluctantly, whispering will
magnificent audacity: Don't worry
Perhaps we can find way out of it.
Mary Armitage gave the captive
Lamb such a look of admiring conf
dence that 1t went to his head anC
kent him awake half the night.
When William Lamb, with amazing
promptness, came to make his party
call, he found that the ladies wer,
mot at home" Mrs. Veriton haI
been enlightened by her friends al
to the depravity of this gilded senior
She said to Mary: Il hear that he wal
arrested and actually spent nigh
in Jail for speeding that fiye-thousan'
dollar automobile of his. I'm yer!
sorry you have met him. All you cal
do now is to ignore him as much a
possible"
Yes, Cousin Kate" Mary answere,
dutifully, and there the matter rest
ed so far as Mrs. Veriton was cor
cerned.
nj. TuDp DAVIS Dassad In "a