The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1912-08-23
BY GRACE KERRIGAN.
copyrighted, 1912. by the Associat-
ed Literary Pressl


Jimmie Fargo, gentleman. club
man, society man and traveller. had
been in love no less than seven times
when he met Mildred Burt at func-
, ton. Seven times he had been in
love, or thought he had, but he had
scarcely gaZed into Miss Burt's hazel
eyes when he realized that all that
had gone before was mere fancy.
This was no passing within. 1t vas
love--the only and original. It
foamed up like soda water and had
the tang of cider three years old.
Jimmie was young man. He had
been used TO making mis- vows on the
first of January each year, but ten
minutes litter his introductio to Miss
Burt he might have been found in a
corner yowing to himself that he
would win that young ladys heart
and hand ere the robins or any other
sort OF birds nested again.
Jimmie Fargo had the reputation
OF going right at things. That's the
way he happened to fall in love and
fall out again the seven times re-
corded. He went right at this affair
in his usual breezy way, but that
wasn't. after all, such an aggressive
way as to scare the bird off its nest,
and then he brought his fad into
play
Jimmie Fargo had fad. ALI men
have, but they won't admit 1t. They
fiatter themselves that it's eruditlon,
perspicacity, judgment, gift granted
to them alone for being SO good.
Jimmie's fad was character reading.
He could tell the leading traits In the
character OF every man and woman
that passed the clubhouse In a long
afternoon. OF course. there was no
way of proving him right or wrong
and SO he built UP a reputation for
himself ia which he vas the Crlly real
believer.
From a safe position Jimmie
brought his fad to bear on the girl
of his heart.
Chestnut hair. That signihed"
rather peculiar girl--particular about
to whom she gave her heart.
Oval face That signited loyalty
and love after the heart was once
won.
A proud poise Of the head. That
sriners stood no show.
A dimpted chin That signified
that no every day sort OF man could
hope TO win her. She had her ideal,
and he was q hero
Red lips and even teeth. They sig
nified that the owner was not to be
won in the usual way There must be
heroism and adventure,
Small feet That signified that the
owner was defiant of public opinion
to an exteut That is, she @ouldn
make a beanpole OF herself because
Mrs. Jones had. and that she had Just
as soon ride up and down Fifth ave
nue. in q farm wagon as In -, 600
auto.
Jimmie Fargo had mis- own little
patent way of interpreting things
When he had come to the end Of
his string he drew a long breath and
frightened his belt His job was cut
out for him. Never in this world
could be win the heart of Mildred
Burt by sending bouquets and prov
ing himself the most graceful dan
Ger in his set There must be ro~
nance and adventure. and there
should be.
The Burts dwelt In the suburbs
in an old colonial mansion. Jimmie
Fargo had been invited there 10 sew
eral affairs. When couple OF
months had passed he couldn't say
whether he had made an impression
on Miss Mildred or not, but he felt
that he had not lost ground, One
April evening he drove out that way
in his auto. He wasn't going TO
call, but all men in love are pretty
much alike. II does a heap of good
TO see the outside of the house that
shelters the girl one loves. There
il sort OF calm, sweet consolation
in realizing that her hand has open
ed that gate, and that her feet nave
left tracks on the gravel pain.
Jimmie drove past the house and
ten miles beyond, and 1t was while
coming back that Providence jumped
into the auto and snuggied down De
side him. Results followed within
ten minutes 1t was late in the even
ing. Jimmie had taken q slow gait
As he came opposite the Burt place
he saw human figure raising lad
der to window in Miss Burt room,
The golden opportunity
Jimmie was out or MS auto anu On
that Raffles back before one could
have counted fifty. Rafles uttered
a veil of terror as he was grabbed by
the neck, and he tried 10 fight back,
but he was flung down and sat on
and pounded until a window was
raised and a voice demanded to know
what was the matter. 1t was the
voice of Miss Mildred Burt, and jim
mic Fargo recognized 1t and gave
RafYles another punch on the nose
and answered:
Il have caught burglar, MISS
Burt, Please arouse the house and
telephone for the police
"A burglar you fool" exclaimed
the supposed Raffles. "Milly, tell the
idiot who | am.
lists brother Jim she softiy
called down.
"But-but---"
II was late in coming home and
the governor locked me out ex-
planned the boy OF fifteen.
''Oh--ah--f--'
No, Jimmie Fargo was not nero,
That Jade of Providence had played
him false. He had BACKED the eyes
and htaodied the nose OF the youth