The Press., 1914-03-18
: : , : Winning g. 5 K. Dorothy { } { ].
 # sS "The Only Fortu- nate One ...- --.,.'. ,s !.
By cLARIssA MACKIE

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 Gentlemen" he said with flashing eyes, T propose the health of the love Hest girl in the world!' ..%;,,
 The toast was drunk in silence. 1t was a singular coincidence, that each one of the seven friends who had gath cred to celebrate Chesney'ss~ birthday was silently drinking to the same gin, beautiful Dorothy Fair. Perhats Chesney himself guessed the fact. At any rate, his black eyes gleamed tn- umphantly as they rested on one face after another until they fingered; on the homely, :. rugged countenances df Jasper Dane. Jasper's blue eyes .wele still tender with thoughts of Dorothy when Chesney's voice cut into the Sd- lence again. ' ~."'" -. '5T7. E
 ''The health of the future, Mrs. Rob- ert Chesney": .... : ..-. .'-. .ss-'--ss Y - f.
 Again the brimming glasses wese drained, and this time troubled, g|aRces sought one another, for the rseco1G toast following so closely upon tie first suggested that Bert Chesney fatl won out in the race for Dorothy Fairs hand and heart. Sas<i% 7
 There was little. confusion sf voices after that. It was time to go home, and some of the young, men were making their farewells. Ii
 Jasper Dane could hear Chesneys hearty voice breaking above the mM- mured words of his guests: .~ '"''s'' ' Thanks, old man-glad of tt--surely T am to be congratulated" # ~,@ E.
 In this way .Chesney vaceepted the perfunctory congratulations of his friends upon his engagement to Dor, othy Fair. Jasper heard. and, With dazed eyes looked straight into Ches-' ney's bold ones. &9 *> >'F f;l ''
 "'Good night. Chesney. Many happy returns of the dayrand congratulate tions. you knowv' rs .vz
 Thanks, Jasper. Yes. there isn't another girl in the world like her, is there, old man" Chesney's eyes searched Jasper's grim face. ''~''- ''-'
 There is only one girl in the world for each man." said Jasper soberly and went his way. .A.. ....gr ::
 Bert Chesney stared after. .him. What the deuce did that fellow mean?" he muttered savaeely.
 Jasper Dane disdained the .taXicabS of his friends and tramped doggedly down the avenue toward his small bachelor quarters. When he had Geach- cd home and snapped on the electric light in his cozy little library he look ed uncertainty at the telephone orf the desk. ..:. .-s Ii ltz3ssstGssei ,sz1s'
 Beside Dorothy Fairs bed tt1sre was another telephone. He gueSsed.gthat because once she had called him up ait ? o'clock in the morning to inquire if he had one of her gloves. .., ,.-s-sss, l..
 Jasper tossed aside hat and overcoat and sat down at the desk. In a. few moments Dorothy's sleepy voice was him.
 "Who is it? Whom did youa say2 Oh, Jasper! What is the matter?'
 Only this, Dorothy. I've been to dinner party ando-
 Dorothy'S voice broke in, pettishiNr,
 Jasper Dane, do you know that you lie the seventh man who has called up to congratulate me on my engdge-- nent to Bert Chesney? Won't 'ton0f- row do? Really, I shouldft like to snatch a few hours sleep |. =..a r1
 Il am sorry" said Jasper quietly, 'Goodby." -
 He moved away from the desk, his hands deep ill his pockets. He paced 5Le floor mOodily. s& s,s7 ts :. .-e,.@r 7 :
 This was the end of his steadfast of Dorothy Fair! Only last night she had given him every encour- agement, had even given him permfs- sion to come again tomorrow evening and impart some especially wonder ful'' tidings of which she could not help guess the import, and now, twen- weight hours later, to be. exact. she had calmly admitted her engagement to Bert Chesney. ~ ."'
 Poor, patient Jasper imetaphoricaIly threw up his hands and went to bed..5 He was done with women foreEer.5,ite Y z" $" *:, *,@<s5* :,
 Professor Digby of the FanshaweT scanned Jaspers flushed face and resolute mouth with deep interest:
 "I am fattered by your offer, MF. Oane," he said at@last. "but p&ca1fn5E@ understand why you, a prosperous young lawyer, should want to thrOWs! up lucrative practice and go into tie wilds of Africa with me. Of course there's plenty of sport in it, but you assure me that you are nOt.a sports man, and there's no end of hardship and danger" ,s ii ... .;. r..
 Il want to. go," said Jasper.4obeeiEr lately. "If you won't let me join y0lr professor, I'll have to look ID another one, but am no end of a good photographer, and I could shoOt lingbats and things with a camea. couldn't I?" 3- IF T
 'That would be very interesting and 'ery valuable" mused the professor. Suddenly he turned and shot a pens. $ rating glance at Jasper's glum coui- enance. @tI
 "Who is sheT' he asked bluntly "Wh-what-what do you meang' Jasper, rising to his tail height. .s,s~. .~.-
 ''Sit down." said the professor kind y ''I always put that question D. 'oung men who want to go into tie. ungle-that is, undess they have kzz eputation as big game hunters. Lots f men are driven to travel and afl i enture because they can't get the parrs lcular girl they want. and they :usual.; 7 come home to find her grown fat ! nd dnmpy or plain and scrawny and hen they wonder why they ever left | he comforts and pleasures of ciyili- l ation for the primitive forests of the ropics. Don't be offended at my rankness, but take my advice, Dane, nd stay at home. You won't re- ret it." sss T am the best judge of that" saif asper haaghtily.
 "Very tTue," said Professor Digby rbanely. Well, suppose you leave ne matter open for one week, NH. : 'ane. If at the end of that time you re still of the same mind I shall be. appy to have you join my party as pecial photographer" |
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