The Chickasha daily express. (Chickasha, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1899-current, 1916-09-18
PLANS OF MICE AND MEN:
BY RUTH IsHAM.


Tommy Carstairs early IN his caree
madcilp his mind TO keep level hea
and not lee his heart run away wit
him. He would watch his chance an
marry some girl who happened to b
an only daughter Of solle rich Oh
fellow with d bad heart
SO he settled down to his ledger n
Smith & Dewey's, fairly well contente'
with life, confident that time was nj
that was needed to consummate hi
plan.
Therefore it was with keen annoy
ance that he woke one morning real
izing that he had made fool Of him
self the night before and. quite before
he knew what he was doing, had pro
posed to Clorinda Mowry, one Of th'
stenographers ut the office.
Tommy had been afraid of Clornda
He had caught himself time and agair
watching the outline Of her head
ngainst the big plate glass window, and
her hair had way Of catching the
sun and rejecting it into his eyes that
was quite annoying.
And being fully aware that the girl
would wreck all his carefully laid plans
for a prosperous future If he were not
exceptionally cautious, it was ridicu-
lous that he had allowed his feelings
to get the better of him just because a
silly boat upset and he thought she
lt~tr, l., b,I h,r f.t
darling. And he had told she must
live for him, that he adored her, and so
on.
Then Il light broke upon his gloom.
Had he really proposed to her? Telling
q girl you love her and that she Is So
and-so and so-and-so doesn't mean that
you have offered her Your heart and
hand. He bathed and dressed hurried
~, breakfasted and made for the office.
lie had plan.
"The vacation lists are out and Til
sign up for mine right away. BY the
time I gel back perhaps Clornda will
have forgotten what l said. Besides,
II | 20 10 Kenebunket, or Menobscot,
where millionaires are at a discount. l
may be able to persuade some fair
maid to take me on for keeps. Why
not?p
Wen, there is no use in relating that
Tommy had another awakening almost
rs shocking lis the one have de-
scribed only this one took several
days. In that time he learned that al
though his name might be W. Thomas
Carstairs and that he dressed well, the
SKINNER colonists would have none of
him. lie found himself in state Of
isolation that was enlightening and not
fattering. But just when he needed
consolation the most he found it. And
her name was Lorelei
He was coming along the beach one
day and as he passed she dropped her
book. He restored it. She thanked
him. lie remarked on the weather she
spoke Of something 6lse. They both
mentioned boating and it ended N
taking a ride in a launch together. she
was very pretty-straight, classic fea-
lures and very light hair netted and
puffed to perfection.
'Ive only been here a day or So"
she said conidentially, "and I feel
rather lost. You seen we've been in
Europe every summer until last year
and we spent that in the Canadian
Rockies. Father and mother are there
now, but | came here from school with
my companion to wait until they join
me. Then we are going to Nova
Scotia"
Tommy chirked up his business ear.
The boat ride was a great success |
and over all too soon. Then followed d
stroll on the terrace and, later, they
went into the billiard room.
They sat down and waited for a
table. Two men next to Tommy were
talking.
81 see old Golden's deadw said one.
you don't say so. Who'll get his
money!
THAT little granddaughter, the only
1ne of the whole family that's left.
You know her parents died on the
Essex when it was blown up. She
rave up every cent of her fortune to
he Belgians and they say the old
nan was so mad he wouldn't give her
/ dime So she's working somewhere
or a living. OF course she'll get it all
low. Something like fifteen millionsr'
The two weeks We're up and Tommy
lad 10 leave, but not before one moon
light night he had begged for Lorelei's
and and been promised it.
Then came the day when he had TO
eturn TO the Office He had worried
bout Clorinda, wondering how she
'ould take it. But he put on brave
ront and went in. Her place was
mpty
Haven't you heard the news, Tom
Iy? called Fosdick. "Old Golden was
lorinda's granddaddy and he up and
led and left her fifteen millions"
Tommy was holding his desk for sup
ort.
And we miss her like the devil but
lere's a peach taking her place--tall,
,onde and-ahem.'
A girl walked over TO ClorIndas
'at and sat down in front Of the ma
line. "Lorelei," gasped Tommy, by
1 that's holy p