Middletown transcript., 1911-07-15
THE WINNING SCORE
BY TRAY ALLISON

-
pate shut a. Benton reacneo ~
Suitcase il hand. He sat nls
baggage down and mopped his
face disgustedly.
Hang it! III express my real
feelings this would be no place
for a lady. ~
Someone slapped him on tne
sboulder with laugh. First
time | ever knew you to get ieft
at anything, old fellow.
Benton wheeled around bis
face lightened with pleasure. BY
the eternal, it's Tom Hartley.
You look good to me AFTER .
wears absence. # anything
could make up to me for losing
nv train, and having to stay
over, it would be your having
turned up. Didn't know a soul
in the place, and was ploturl1g y
to myself the hilarity q gong .so -
nv hotel and reading all the
evening.
Hartley drew him over to .
Lorob and handed him a cigar.
Sorry Benton, but | am leaving
IN fifteen minutes, myself, Tor a
three months trip. Wish we
could make an evening of it and
talk over old times. Haven't
only seen you twice since we ieIt
college. You certainly used TO play
a deyilish lot Of jokes on me-
Wish we could be thrown TO-
pether occasionally, perhaps the
last four years have developed
my mentality enough for me to
come back at you.
Benton chuckled reminiscently'
I would willingly let you try
your hand at it, Tommie, if only
YOU could relieve this deadly dull
evening that yawns before me-
0on,t know a soul in the bloom
ing city.
I could give you a note OF IN.
PRODUCTION to the dearest girl
living, Hartley answered enthusi'
astically, she has the reputation
Of being the wittiest girl in town
and would make you think miss
ing your train was the pleasant
est thing that ever happened
Benton looked at his business
suit dubiously. couldn't call in
this get up.
Nonsense! She isn't that sort
of a girl at all, not the least bit
snobbish. Let me write the note
Benton, you can use it or not
but you might decide that you
would like to kill an evenings
monotony, and I'll Vouch for it
that you don't often meet a girl
that compares with this one.
He took a card from his pocket
and scribbled several lines with
his fountain pen. Here's luck to
you, old fellow, and I think that's
my train they are calling. Tick
led to death to run into you.
Benton checked his baggage
and walked several blocks before
he decided that not every mortal
that was SO favored by the gods
as to have the opportunity OF
meeting the wittiest girl in town,
then finally took a cab and gave
the address Hartley had written
on the card. Hartley had written;
Introducing my old college chum,
Richard Benton, who is in town
for the night only, and who does
MT know a soul. If you havent
an engagement, be nice to him
He's D. K, excepting tendency
to play practical jokes, but prob
ably his mania in that direction
viii not crop outin o single even
ing.
The note was characteristic o.
Hartley's old style, and while its
lack Ct dignity was apparent, i
would probably cause no surprise
to any friend Of his.
When the cab stopped and Ben
ton went up the steps, his cour
age weakened slightly, as be hat
not expected anything quite s.
magnificent as the house he wa
entering. The butler took hi
card and left him sitting in tn
library wondering II he had no
been foolish to act upon Hartley I
impulsive suggestion.
When his courage had reached
low ebb Miss Dilton came in. Sh'
hesitated a second, and her gre.
eyes seemed to analyze Benton
She stretched out her hand cordi
ally, for Benten's was . fac
that women trusted. Mr.. Hart
ley could not have sent you at
more opportune time. ] haV'
stayed in tonight expecting N!
...14I,ov, oy,d fatFqnF #n come in Ol