Tensas gazette. [volume] (St. Joseph, La.) 1886-current, 1915-11-26
4 BORROWED FANcEE
BY LOUISE OLIVER.

Tommy Harvard lounged sulkily In
the doorway of a Fifth avenue jewelry
shop. He had beaten his aunt to the
rendezvous by nearly half hour-not
that he was anxious for the meeting.
but because it had just happened that
he was passing and it was easier to
stop in than to come back. Tommy.
having too much money and leisure.
had the habit of doing the easiest
thing.
While he sulked he unused: II wish
to thunder the family would let me
alone. I'm no baby! l don't want to
get married. and Aunt Elizabeth can
trot her candidate home again. the one
she Is to bring along to luncheon.
Say!" He turned around and looked
after a girl who had entered the shop.
leaving trail Of exquisiteness behind
her as she passed. That's just the
prettiest girl ever saw in my life!
Wonder II know her. Nod have
remembered her II ! did. ! may a.
well wait inside. guess" And Tommy
sauntered in.
Suddenly he conceived the brightest
idea of his life. A small room at the
back of the shop, with its black velvet
topped tables and chairs for custom
ers. would make q splendid setting
for the little drama he was arranging.
Anyone there could easily be seen BY
persons entering the store.
- IL - h.
hour. Fifteen minutes until his aunt
was due with her protegee!
The girl turned away from a counter
and found q good-looking young man
in her path. He lifted his hat and
bowed. She returned his bow coolly.
Il beg your pardon; may ! speak
to you for a minute?" asked Tom.
The girl hesitated and ran her eye
rapidly over his clothes from shoes to
collar. and then for an instant studied
his face. Reassured. she smiled and
nodded. why. yes. l guess you may.
But don't believe know you"
That's the trouble. You don't.
Won't you sit in the next room with
me while tell you something. It 10
more comfortable and q better place
to talk"
They sat down at the little table and
Tom pitched in with . queer feeling
that he was getting in over his head.
do you think you could be engaged
to me for five or ten minutes"
He was very red. The girl looked
serious in spite of CLEAN in her eyes.
els 1t as bad as that?"
Indeed 1t is. I'm In for q bad day
II you don't. Perhaps for life. II am
not careful, and let myself be caught
by an overzealous aunt who insists on
my getting married. and who has
new kind of bait to try on me today"
The girl nodded. 81 see. So you are
going to hang out q sign. Gone. and
I'm to be the owner for q few min
utes."
Exactly! II you'll do It It will help
me out of q deuce of q mess. Ill get
one of the statesmen to bring in some
diamond solitaires and spread them
all out in plain view. All you have to
do is to look them over and try them
on your engagement finger. holding
your hand well up 30 It can plainly
be seen by anyone entering the store.
and-and-"
II see. Very well. then, I'll do my
best to help you OUT
The clock chimed the half-hour and
his aunt came into the store-alone.
Tom pretended not to see. but he knew
that his aunt was eying him and his
companion through her lorgnon.
A little later she left the store. to
Toms relief. without speaking to him.
The plan had worked beautifully!
well" said the girl. pushing away
the rings. TITS over. Good morning. =
Her departure was inevitable. Tom
had no excuse in the world for detain'
ing her an instant longer, so he had
to let her 90. He bought the ring she
had admired. stuck It into his pocket
and left the store. That night be
went around to get his lecture and
congratulations. A girl came into the
library while he waited.
Tom suddenly became paralysed. II
was his borrowed fancee Of the morn
ing!
Good evening. Mr.. Harvard"
Good evening, Miss"
Mercedes Eastford. your aunt's can
didate."
II guess this IL no place for me. Miss
Eastford. The best thing can de-
now after making . mess Of things II
to get out. I'm awfully sorry. That's
the only thing can say. Good night.
Mercedes laid . OBTAINING hand on
his arm and smiled adorably. mo
don't 20. please: Il was the best time
ever had in my life. I knew you from
the frst and left word at the counter
for your aunt not to recognise me
We've laughed all afternoon. Oh.
beg pardon, but II was funny. 70,
see I'm the girl they've been throwing
at you!"
"And was ape enough to spoil theil
plans"
But I didn't want to be throwni'
protested Mercedes. II meant to re
fuse you. Freeze you completely OF
sight"
But you liked my looks vel
; enough to help me out"
. But you're 500 different from
what thought"
Same here! BY the way" conflde>
; Tom, Il bought that ring. and I hav'
n here. Let's fool them all and re