The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1912-02-29
Nv HARMONY WELLER.
Copyright. 1912, by the Associated
Literary Press.l

Literary f'IeSS-f
The taxi in which jimmy Rogers
was being rushed uptown from the
Iensyi. ANA station came TO an ao-
rupt sop. 1t was oniy Futy-ninth
street and when the chauffeur return
ed from a qulck examination to tell
Rogers that he couia take him no
fa,,ner jimmy swore softly unaer his
breath
treat Scott, man. l have to be
up at oevenIy-eisnth street In five
nInutes!'
sorry, boss but this here machine
won't run another block tonight.
Jimmy looked fro mtne chauneur's
impertulbauie face to his own large
suitcase and the three-foot box OF
American Beauties that ne was TAX
ing to his nostess. mol The thing
was impossible. He simple must
have a taxi.
Beat IT." he said to the chauffeur.
"and get me another machine: Don
waste any time either.'
The man went or and Jimm" fumed
at his predicament ard %he flight OF
time. He had come on frcm the West
TO attend the Iowa Society banquet
and be the guest of t. WadeA jim
my had to shave, get into mis- 0ress
clothes and finish the distance to Sew
enty- eighth street all within fifteen
minutes. For a moment he thought
of saving time by chanxin- his clothes
there In the stalled taxi. Then his
fear of arrest stopped him.
In desperation Jimmy put his head
out the window and hailed the first
machine that passed. 1t was q great
luxurious car Jimmy streached his
side the taxi
TN give you a FLYER II you take
me up to Seventy-ei~hth street.. jim
my promised the chauffeur.
Jump In quick" came the ready
response.
Rogers lost no time. Within the
luxurious car Jimmy stretched his
long legs and sniffer the scented air.
My iady's limousine thought
Rogers and glanced at the fur-lined
carriage slippers on the floor and the
wilted pink roses that dropped from
the vase by the mirrow. My lady's
chauffeur Is a very wise man--me-
thinks he Is in the habit Of making
money while he waits for his msi-
tress to come from the opera"
Suddenly an idea struck Jimmy.
Why not show little appreciation
for the timely use OF her car: He
would heave one great American
Beauty in the vase by the mirror.
The rose was scarcely In its place
before the machine came to a stop.
Jimmy sprang out lightly and for
the chauffeurs sake quickly.
Here you are. old man. he gave
the man hts money: you've done me
a good service.
-. ). ':sMum's the, ward.'' srtnpeh the
chauffeur, and went swiftly on to
call for his mistress at the opera,
IL Amy Wade counted only eleven
American beauties in the boz Jimmy
gave her she did not mention the
fact. I'VE thought you y >re lost"
she told him later. when, lmmac-
ulate In evening clothes. he entered
the drawing room. Il hope nothing
happened:"
Nothing but broken down
taxi" laughed Jimmy
Well. see that you don't iose
your heart to any Of the pretty Iowa
girls tonight and break that"
Dick Wade added: "Therell be a
bunch Of them there"
Wade did not exaggerate," de-
cided Jimmy, when an hour later his
eyes travelled from one beautiful
face to another. Blondes, brunettes
and even tittan-crowned heads were
there among that throng OF the Iowa
society,
Jimmy drew sharp breath.
Mrs Wade was approaching him.
and with her was a vision in yellow.
At least Jimmy thought she was a
vision until he found that he was
holding a very warm tingling hand
within his own.
II have told you all about jimmy
Rogers. Faith. 80 be good to him--he
Is all alone In this big city. Amy
Wade cast laughing glance at her
two friends and went in search Of her
husband.
$50 I must be good to you." Faith
Carter looked ut Rogers from under
her lashes and decided the task
would not be dlfiicult.
Certainly" Jimmy Roxers' tone
was such as to bring slight blush
into Faiths cheeks. and since you
have orders to be good to me am
going to trespass and ask you an ins-
pertinent question:
Faiths startled eyc& met his.
why have you absolutely ruined q
most beautiful costunae and color ef-
feet by wearing that American beauty
rosec watched you coming toward
me and thought you-- perfect. save
for that one larrtng notA.