The Randall County news. (Canyon City, Tex.) 1908-1926, 1910-09-23
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 up a num-
Der OF reasons why II was not possible
Tor him TO go. His best shoes were
900 small, he had no dress suit, he
couldn't bear society-and so on.
His roommate listened patiently 60
the end.
We'll, you may think it is manly to
act like that" he said then. but I
don't see it 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 a melodrama," de
elared Barton. IF ! prefer a book by
the fire to dining at your ~fancee's
house it's no reflection on her, since
d 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-
giant way ] get turned down"
Il don't see the use of treating II as
II it were a personal matter" said
Barton. You know I'm q 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"
81 shall take it as q personal
airont IL you don't go with me to
elmer 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
Is that, do you.? It's just the lam.
ly."
81 don't know the family"
THAT doesn't make any difference.
Be a sport. That is, II you are any
thing at all about my feelings"
Feelings"
well. it's true; I'm making this .
test case"
Barton heaved a sigh and his DON
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 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
though they led TO the scaffold, and
his companion only half guessed how
near he was to running, even after
the bell had been rung.
The door was opened by a vision in
pink.
Barton gasped at the sight. No
wonder ne had had so many solitary
evenings during the past year If that
was Georges iancee. She and
George had some joke and he had a
minute in which TO look at her before
he was presented. In that minute he
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. ! want to present my chun,
Fred Barton George was saying.
FIRED. this is her sister. Where's
Alice"
The rest Of the evening was a blur
90 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
hooked, 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
~ short time. though George said his
watch showed It was ten o'clock
Georges watch was always wrong,
Barton remembered resentfully.