The comet. (Johnson City, Tenn.) 1884-1916, 1911-04-27
TED'S
IORDEAL4

|
There was such a prompt response to
his ring that they almost seemed to
have been waiting for him.
Ted waited miserably in the recep'
ton room while the butler went to an
nounce his important business He
rather envied little Silbon who was
getting of light. What was simulat-
ing an epileptic ut in a crowded dry
goods store to trying to sell the most
luxurious liver in town a copy of THE
Simple Life?"
The committee on initiation had
been most ingenious this year. The
tasks they allotted the candidates
were positively fendish but to order
him to seek to sell copy Of that book
to Chester Alderman seemed to in.
| Vite him to self-destruction.
Nervously he followed the butler
down the long hall and into the II.
brary. Alderman looked up at his
entrance.
What can do for your" he asked
| sharply.
Il have a book" explained Ted. It's
very celebrated book and / thought
you might like to buy a copy"
"A book agent!" Numbered Acker.
man, as he reached for the bell.
See here" pleaded Ted. GIVE me
chance. Here is a book that every
ones been talking about"
Don't want it." snapped Acker-
man.
Have a look, anyway" insisted
Ted. TITS The Simple Life the book
that the president thought was such
hot stuff. I'll bet you've never read
1t and yet it's been talked about for
the last two years. You never did
read it, did your
mo. And I'm not going to now" de-
clared Alderman. 'If thought you
meant that / needed to read that"
You do need to-" reiterated Ted.
Not the way you mean, but because q
man needs to keep posted. BY your
own admission. you're two years
behind. You can have a laugh, any.
way"
He held the book invitingly toward
his victim and almost unconsciously
Alderman took 1t. He glanced over
the pages with an occasional grunt
He was by no means an exponent OF
the simple life, and he found much to
deride.
Didn't tell you It was good for a
iaugh?" insisted Ted. Alderman look,
ed up with smile.
How much Is TT" he demanded.
You can satisfy your pride with the
knowledge that you're the first book
agent that ever sold me anything.
In that case make 1t a dollar" sug.
gested Ted. Thanks. Good morning.
l can find my own way out"
He was gone before Alderman could
ring. elated over his success and de.
voutly thankful that he had not been
thrown out. He was Just opening the
front door when a girl came running
down the stairs.
Mr.. Hammond?" she cried. Ted
turned.
Miss Drury!" he gasped. What
brings you hereT'
"Mr. Alderman Is my guardian" she
explained. II thought that per.
haps-" She caught herself with a
blush
NO." said Ted. THAT was not II.
You and your party left the Point so
suddenly that l could get no trace Of
you. The fact is that was In selling
Mr.. Alderman book"
You are a book agent?" she cried
in shocked surprise.
Amateur" he explained. "They
want to make me feel properly hum.
BILE before they admit me to fellowship
In the fraternity. had to sell copy
of The Simple Life"
"To Uncle Chester?' she cried.
How did you ever do it?"
I don't know myself" he admitted
There are three Of the com.
mite outside now waiting to see me
thrown down the steps. did not ex.
pect to disappoint them"
Il could call the butler" she sug.
gested.
mo, thanks. If you will permit me
I'll take another chance with your
uncle"
"How?" she asked. curiously.
you know what was trying To
ask you last summer" he said bold.
y. you left before / could propose.
was, and am, conceited enough to
think that you do care for me. MAY
go in and ask his consent to our mar.
rage when / graduate?"
This is so sudden" she protested
mot bit Of it. I've been seven
months getting 1t out I think you've
had notice enough"
His eyes pleaded more eIoouently
han his tongue, and blushingly she
lid her face on his shoulder and she
whispered yes"
For second time that morning
Chester Alderman was shocked out
IT his accustomed placidity, and for a
'econd time Ted won. This time his
Heading was far more eloquent. He
,ould not go away at once but at last
le said goodby.
In the shadow of the trees three hud.
lied figures with chattering teeth
reeted him.
Sorry to keep you waiting" said
Ted politely. Here's a dollar I got
or the book"
tell us about It," commanded the
ommittee. What detained your"
That's quite another story" en-,
'lained Ted. But I'm really very
much obliged to you for your amiable