Webster City freeman. [volume] (Webster City, Hamilton County, Iowa) 1884-1946, 1912-01-30
TarnIey's Experienced

Just after Tarnley had established
his latest picture of Miss Edmont
on his mantel his sister came to
New York for brief visit, mainly to
see how her freshman brother was
getting on.
What pretty girl" Tarnley's
sister exclaimed effervescently as she
investigated the photograph. Then
she glanced at the one next to it
and the next-and then another.
Rapidly she swept the walls of the
room before she flashed an accusing
glance at Tarnley.
You've eleven pictures of this
same grill" she cried. "You-you
must be fond of her, Tommy!"
Nothing Of the sort!' contra
dicted Tommy. gruffly, meanwhile
turning a brick red. She she's in
some OF the classes. Just happened
to pick them up"
"Uh-huh,' said Tarnley's sister.
I've observed that one is apt to pick
up $20-a-dozen photographs from
the dust OF the street,"
Think you're smart, don't your
growled Tarnley with his back to her,
trying to recover his equanimity.
There was no denying that Tarnley
was frightfully smitten. 1t was so
serious an infatuation that it had
passed the power of mere words, SO
he had ceased to rave about Miss
to the other fellows. Other
men might remark feryently that their
best girls were peaches" and "out
OF sight, but Tarnley only gripped
his pipe tighter and gazed at the CELL
ing while he thought pityingly of the
other fellows.
They might fancy they were in love
with the Phelps girl because she had
a dimple and lisped. or with Jessa-
mine White, with the big black eyes
and not an ounce OF brains-they
might consider such fluffy, ephemeral
creatures admirable, but that was be-
cause they had not souls to appreci-
ate Helene Edmont. Tarnley was cer-
tain Helen Of Troy herself could not
have been fairer, while as for sparkle
and wit there was no one to beat this
girl.
Cheer up!" Bobbett said to him
rudely one day. Bobbett was a soph-
omore and worldly wise. You'll out
grow it and outlive it. The first at
Jack is precisely the same as being
land when you get the real
hing it won't gol hard with you in
Tarnley gazed upon Bobbett with
scorn and passed on. Let Bobbett
talk about the real thing in the fu-
,ure-little he knew that for Tarnley
! great and glowing sun already had
arisen which was to illuanine his life
lor ever and ever!
When the year was ended and
rarnley had to bid her goodby for
.hree months, the occasion was epic.
He stood pale and very straight and
Lall and held her hand.
Every day?" he asked. you'll
write every day."
ooh, yes" she promised.
II don't know how I'm going to
endure not seeing you" Tarnley went
IN, thrillingly. Tit seems as if
he world had come to an end, Hell
Helene!"
"Oh, you mustn't" murmured Hell
sne
Three months is a long time. OF
course. Tarnley went about and at
ended picnics mad parties with other
girls. but his heart was still true to
Helene. Various things seemed to
interrupt Helene's promised routine Of
/ letter day. She was at the sea-
shore and there we're trains and
,oats interfering and then, she
wrote. she was having such q splendid
lime.
In the Fall when Tarnley came
earring back he rushed to see Helene
he first thing. She was out. When
ne called again a six-foot Junior was
,landly occupying the reception room
ahead of him. It seemed that the
Junior, too, had been at the seashore.
When the situation became gener-
Ally known the fellows wondered how
Tarnley would take it. They were
to feel .ery sorry for him.
and when some man, who was decid-
sdly new and ignorant Of things, men,
ion Helene Edmont, every one in the
room held his breath. Tarnley did
lid not flicker an eyelash.
Miss Edmontg" he repeated. con-
"Oh, yes-she is a
nice little girl; awfully nice! l used
TO know her well myself. Quite
pretty. in fact-but shallow lawfully
shallow!" He knocked his pipe
against the table.
"Gee!" reflected Bobbett. HE isn't
putting 1t on! He really feels that
way! Say" he murmured to Tarnley,
when he got near enough, remember
what / said to you last year about
vaccination Well, It took, didn't 1t,
with your"
II don't know what you mean."
said Tarnley harghtily. after q stare.
For Tarnley was mo longer y fresh
man. He was q sophomore.