The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1916-02-26
WHAT ALLIED TOMB
BY WARD GRAHAM.

lands like Mercury on heaven-kissing
hill. There had been a dearth of in
teresting and unattached males for
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 a 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 Ainsworth's 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"
mo, he's just lucky. He seems to
happen along always in the nick of
time l WONDER" Gladys hestated, 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 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 cid 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 cant bear girls
who have red hair
you ought to be glad of it, too,
Man." cried Beth. Hes impossible.
He gets en- your nerves because he
always does the right thing, don't you
know. You feel he was born fully
equipped fer life. What part are you
going to take in the tableaux?"
Il want to be Queen Elizabeth be-
cause she had red hair, but | can't,
so Gladys put me down as Good Luck.
] believe l am to bear the magic sym
Dol of white horse upon my banner,
carry bouquet of fourleaf clovers
and Jingle some horseshoes. with
swastikas sprinkled right plentifully
over my gown"
When I 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 we'll light
ed as she came down Main street. Il
was half past four Tom glanced W
as the door swung breezily open ant
wondered why she walked past hi.
desk to that of his assistant.
'Oh, Roswell, wonder if you't
mind introducing me to Mr.. Ames,
she said mischievously, I've got tt
borrow something from him for oul
bazaar, and he doesn't know me a
ALL"
1t was splendid starter. Tom wa,
willing, before she left, to pledge al
five machines as we'll as the luck,
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 t,
yourself, Mr.. Ames," she had sail
teasingly. You're just lucky"
That bothered him. He went to tn
Mi-Careme bazaar with more than ir
terest, and the other girls looked a
Mans conquest with pity.
Nan refused to flirt. She was fran
and gay with him. brimful of goo
comradeship, but no sentiment.
Listen just a minute" she flashe
back impetuously. You don't have t
make love to me. Mr.. Ames, just to b
popular. I don't want to be engage
to you" She laughed at him. Don
you think you could try and play
new record with me, say, friendshi
duet?"
Look out for your dress, Nan!
called Louise quickly, leaning owe
her table to try to reach Mans e
bow. But it was too late She ha
leaned back against little bunch
lighted candles on the candle tab
and the little licking tongue of fiji
ran to her shoulder, caught hungril
at her hair, her throat and breast Jul
how he did it, Tom never quite kne,
There was a scramble among tho.
near as he whipped off his coat ar
wrapped it around her, lifted her
his arms and carried her outdoor
After the excitement was over, Il
girls at the candy table stared at OF
another.
His hands were awfully burned
said Beth, softly
And when he knelt out there in q
snow and put out the fire she put b
arm around his neck Then he wrapp
her In his fur robe and took her hon
Her mother went with them. Did y
ever"
He's so lucky" Gladys laugh,
athaf he avop cavod Good uol, l.,