The Ordway new era., 1910-10-28
BIDDING HER
GOOD-BY

haQ managed 10 Wofk navoc upon the
hearts OF several young men. the most
desperately wounded Of the lot being
Ted Ashmun and Arthur Foster. That
they were bosom friends made the sit.
uation only the more tragic.
When 1t came time for Arabella to
depart for home each OF them had
been SO insistent on prof5ering his
services as escort to the train that 1t
resulted In her setting on from the
house with both OF them. This to Ara.
bella was pure Joy. since she cared not
at all for the jealous tortures Of her
adorers. Her complacency over the
situation had rendered her dreamy
when the expressman had arrived for
her trunk. SO possibly her directions
were vague. What the expressman
afterward called them was something
more emphatic.
At any rate. when the trio arrived at
the station and surged toward the bag.
gage room they met blow. The cold
and unimpresisonable individual be.
hind the desk announced nonchalantly
that the trunk was not there.
Arabella settled her hat with one
daintily gloved hand and looked at the
baggage man reproachfully. "Oh. It
must be there!" she told him sweetly.
The baggageman bestowed on her a
bored and glacial stare. He jerked his
cap more aslant and out Of one corner
Of his mouth murmured: But 1t ANTI"
Arabella turned upon her dual escort
dewy and helpless glance and they
sprung to the rescue.
| a. ~. Nh,,~
Ted Ashmun as hercely as was com.
patible with five feet seven inches OF
height.
IN see about this!" Arthur Foster
chin:ed In threateningly.
Something must be done." Arabella
suggested with astounding practically.
Il wouldn't lose that trunk for worlds.
I've simply got to have It. for I'm to
be bridesmaid day after tomorrow
and my dress"
Ted" Arthur suggested hastily. Il
have an idea. You go and telephone
the express company and ask what
they mean. Tell them we've got to
have the trunk. Tell them"
Don't you think" Ted broke in
craftily, that you'd better go your
self? I might forget some Of those
things"
ciously. Plainly neither intended to be
showed out OF the game. leaving his
rival to undisputed enjoyment Of the
last few precious minutes with Arabel-
Ia. This was complimentary. but an
noying to one who desired her trunk
above all things.
"Oh; something must be done!" Ara.
bella repeated. please go!"
They both looked at her eagerly. but
so comprehensive was her glance that
1t was not possible to tell which Of
them she preferred to get rid Of.
Therefore each set his Jaw more hrm-
ly and made no motion to go. Each.
in fact. donned an expression signify
ing regret at the continued presence
OF the other when he SO obviously
should have been Fastening away in
search Of the lost baggage. Both
looked panied that any man should SO
far ignore common courtesy and chiv.
airy.
"Arabella." began Arthur, turning his
back on Ted. Il wanted to tell you"
You see. expected to tell you
when told you good-by." interrupted
Ted. edging around Arthur's shoulder.
that"
But where" burst out the distract.
ed young woman, "is my trunk? Why
don't you find 1t. or something?"
III Arthur would go and phone"
said Ted in injured dignity. Il don't
see what he is thinking of"
1T seems to me-" Arthur countered,
that II Ted had any sense of what
was expected Of him he would see
about your trunk. have something
very special to tell you!"
"So've II" flared Ted.
Arabella. looking at them both, set
her soft mouth in lines Of exaspera-
ton. Two devoted young men were
we'll enough. but when one was to be
bridesmaid in two days
Then she gave soft little gurgle Of
relief and few with outstretched hands
toward a third young man who was
passing. It was Edwards, who also
had been much in evidence during her
visit.
"Oh. Mr.. Edwards" she cried. "I
am SO relieved to see you'll" Then she
told him about the missing trunk.
And has nobody done anything?"
queried Edwards. whitening Ted and
Arthur with a look. "I'll go at once.
And you'd better come to see about
identifying 1t and getting the check
and all that!"
Indeed I Wilt" cried Arabella with
cheerful alacrity.
She disappeared with Edwards, who
eventually steered her to the train
through a gate far from the watchful
eyes of the desperate two who had
started out with her. They never laid