Virginia gazette. [volume] (Williamsburg, Va.) 1893-192?, 1912-11-21
WEEKLY SHORT STORY :
By Tray Allison.


hand. He set his baggage down and
mopped ais face disgustedly.
Hang Il, n I expressed my real
feelings this would be no place for
q lady"
Someone slapped him on the shOul-
der with a laugh. First time ! ever
knew YOU TO get left at anything. old |
fellow"
Benton wheeled around. his face |
lighting with pleasure. by the eter-
nal. It's Tom Hartley. You look good
70 me after a years absence. IL any
thing could make up TO me for losing
my traiR, and having 70 stay over. a.
would be your having turned up.
Didn't know a soul in the place, and
was picturnS 70 myself the hilarity Of
going back TO my hotel and reading
all the evening"
Hartley drew him over % bench
ard handed him a cigar. Sorry, Ben
ton, but / am leaving in fifteen min
utes myself. for a three months trip.
Wish We could make an evening OF II
and talk over Did times. Haven ( only
seen you twice since We left college.
Tou certainly used 70 play deviish
bot Of jokes on me. Wish We could
be thrown together occasionally. per
haps the last four years have devel-
oPed my mentality enough for me 70
come back at you"
Benton chuckled reminiscently. Il
would willingly let you try your hand
at T. Tommy. II only you could re-
heve this deadly dull evening that
yawns before me. Don't know a soul
IN the blooming city"
sfu ~ Of n
ducsion 70 the dearest girl living.
Hartley answered enthusi astically
she has the reputation Of being the
wittest girl In town and would MAKE
you think missing your train was tn
pleaasOtest thing that ever happened.
Benton looked at bis business sui
obviously. Il couldn't call Ia thi
get up"
"Nonsensei she isn't that kind o
girl al all, not the least bit snob
bish. Let me write the note. Benton
you can use a. or not. but you Nigh
decide that you would like 20 Kill a
evenings monotony. and III vOuch 70
IL that you don't often meet cir
that compares with this one
lie took a card from his pocket an
scrubbed several lines with his -four
tain pen. Here's luck 20 you, oil
fellow. and / think that's my trai
they are calling. TiclSled % death
have run into you"
Benton checked his baggage ar
walked several blocks before he d.
eided that 1t was not every mort
that was 50 favored by the gods as
have tie opportunity OF meeting q
wittiest gin Ia town. then finally toS
cab and gave the address Hart.
had written on the card. Hartley b,
written: Introducing my old collie
chum. Richard Benton. who is in TOW
for the nlght only. and who doesl
know a soul. II you haven't an G
sagement. be nee 70 him He's
excepting tendency to play pratcis
jokes. but probably his mania sinG
evening"
The note was characteristic OF Ha
ley's old style. and while its lack
dignity was apparent IL would pro
ably cause no surprise 70 any frie
Of his
Win the cab stopped and Bent
went up steps. his courage weaker
slightly. as he had not expected az
thing quite so magnificent as
house he was entering. The but
took his card and left him sitting
the library wondering II he had
been folish 70 act upon HarUey's
pulsive suggestion.
When his courage had reached
ebb Miss Dillon came ia. She hl
rated a second, and her gray e
seemed to analize Benton
stretched out her hand cordially.
BentOn's was a face that women tn
ed ''Mr. Hartley couldn't have s
you az more oppOrtune time /
stayed n tonight expecting my mot
and father 70 come IN on the Il
o from New York. but have just ia
telegram that they viii not De-
until midnight. 50 there was the p
pect OF a lonely evening"
Benton gazed. and thanked the I
and Hartley. The soft, slim lo'
ness or her was wonderful!
She sat on che divan near hir
mfrthful twinkle In her eyes.
Hartley's card says that you are p
ticaily perfect-wiUh the except o
a prediction for practical joke:
Poor old chap! It's a shame
way I've imposed upon his good
. ture. for no matter how much
laugh was on him. ne always saw
point OF the joke and enjoyed Il.
has vowed ne Will get even with
some time, but / am not losing
sleep over his intention"
fNaa - .saH