The Harrison times., 1916-02-12
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WHAT ALLIED TOM? :
BY WARD GRAHAM.
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iCicotihS anu uudtlaSucu hoiCo iOA
months ever since the closing OF the
summer season, but Tom arrived as
the eastern coast representative OF a
large automobile concern, opened up
charming quarters in the new bank
building and had FIVE machines at his
disposal as exhibits to prospective
buyers.
Not only that, but he was good
mixer. He had known several Of the
girls brothers at Yale. He had met
them here and there in business He
knew Gladys Martins aunt in Chicago
and Louise Ainsworths grandfather in
Louisville.
Yet, after four months, the girls OF
Ottawa began to take an inventory Of
Toms capabilities. so to speak. He
measured up all right to their parents
standards, but as Louise put it;
There's something about Tom that's
wrong. think he's too important
No, he's just lucky. He seems to
happen along always in the nick of
time. | wonder" Gladys hesitated, her
gray eyes dreamy and musing, IL
wonder how many times he's been en-
engaged"
Three times right here in Ottawa
Highlands" Beth Phillips said. Il was
one of them. And | don't mind saying
one bit that it only lasted two weeks. -
There had been a committee meet
ing at Beth's home. A Mi-Careme
bazaar was to be held in the town
hall, and somehow, after all arrange
ments and plans had been settled, the
talk had naturally drifted to Tom.
There were four girls present. Beth,
Gladys and Louise were old settlers
at the Highlands, but Nan Rogers was
a newcomer.
do | know him." she asked.
"You will" sighed Louise. Nobody
who comes here escapes him. But he
won't bother you. He can't bear girls
who have red halr.
You ought to be glad of it, too,
Man," cried Beth. Hes impossible.
He gets on your nerves because he
always does the right thing, don't you
know. You feel he was born fully
equipped for life. What part are you
going to take in the tableaux?"
81 want to be Queen Elizabeth be-
cause she had red hair, but | can't,
so Gladys put me down as Good Luck.
I believe am to bear the magic SYM
boil Of a white horse upon my banner.
carry a bouquet of four-leaf clovers
and jingle some horseshoes, with
swastikas sprinkled right plertifully
over my gown"
when was engaged to Tom" be-
gan Gladys, in a purely offhand man
ner, ''he told me he had lot of lucky
charms he'd picked up in his many
rambles over the fair face of Mother
Earth. Maybe he'd loan us some"
I'll ask him for the charms as |
go by tonight" said Nan, laughingly.
I'm afraid you'll all be cross to him. "
The automobile office was well light
ed as she came down Main street. 1t
was half past four. Tom glanced up
as the do swung breezily open and
wondered why she walked past his
desk to that Of his assistant.
"Oh, Roswell, I wonder if you'd
mind introducing me to Mr.. Ames,
she said mischievously, I've got to
borrow something from him for our
bazaar, and he doesn't know me at
ALL"
1t was splendid starter. Tom was
willing, before she left, to pledge all
five machines as we'll as the lucky
charm to her service. He wondered
vaguely how he could ever have avoid
ed girls with red hair.
Only one thing she had said dis
turbed him.
Il don't believe you owe anything to
yourself, Mr.. Ames," she had said
teasingly. You're just lucky"
That bothered him. He went to the
Mi-Careme bazaar with more than in
terest, and the other girls looked at
Mans conquest with pity
Nan refused to firt She, was frank
and gay with him, brimful Of good
comradeship, but no sentiment.
Listen just a minute" she flashed
back impetuously. "You don't have to
make love to me, Mr.. Ames, just to be
popular. I don't want to be engaged
to you" She laughed at him. Don't
you think you could try and play a
new record with me, say, friendship
duet?"
Look out for your dress, Nan"
called Louise quickly, leaning over
her table to try to reach Mans ell
bow. But it was too late. She had
leaned back against a little bunch of
lighted candles on the candle table
and the little licking tongue of fire
ran to her shoulder, caught hungrily
at her hair, her throat and breast. Just
how he did it, Tom never quite knew.
There was a scramble among those
near as he whipped off his coat and
wrapped 1t around her, lifted her in
his arms and carried her outdoors.