Tensas gazette., 1916-09-15

By lsAsEL HARrwELL-

also her attorney. "F1rst thing yVe
know you'll be an old bachelor insteaQ
Of just bachelor. and II any gir
takes you 1t will be for your money.
Tom, you're too fine man to dwindle
into smirking old bachelor whom an
the girls smile upon In the open and
frown upon In private"
II make my humble obeisance for
the compliment, my lady, and may
ask whether you have a particular
girl picked out for mer
'No," shaking her head, 'for the
girls nowadays are as bent upon put
ting of marriage as the men are. !
know any number of nice girls who
would make good wives for men like
you If both of you would only throw
aside those foolish notions about not
giving up your so-called freedom"
Bring 'em on in numbers, as many
as you like" laughed Tom. There's
safety In numbers. you know, but don't
set me adrift with some particular
one"
I'm going to have seven girls at
my country house for girls party
tomorrow afternoon and evening.<
dare you to drop in unexpectedly for
dinner"
Dare me? I'll be there. and I'm not
a bit scared, for seven Is my lucky
nunSer." ~
The next evening. as Tom Wayne
steered his gray roadster into the
roadway that wound under the big
trees up to the country home of Mrs.
Estes and heard the sound OF giddy
laughter coming from the big front
veranda, he said to himself that ne
was a fool to have allowed himself to
be drawn into a company Of seven
frivolous girls.
Tom went up the veranda steps
smiling and bowling to each girl In
turn. Discovering that two Of the
girls were strangers to him brought
little reserve into his manner, especial
ly as one Of the girls-a high-headed
blonde, with creamy white skin ana
hazel eyes, greeted him with their In
PRODUCTION with a dignity that had IN
it a hint of hauteur.
Tom rightly supposed that her lack
of csrdiality was partly due to ois-
pleasure at having a man thrust him.
self into what was to her an Adamless
Eden.
Mrs. Estes saw the situation and
FASTENED to cover 1t.
Miss Enderby is from Boston. Tom.
and I'm sure she'll be glad to know
you're q Harvard man." The astute
hostess then went into the house to
arrange some things about the dinner,
and Madge Enderby and IOm began to
speak Of Boston.
"Now, Madge," called out Dolly
Peters, "you needn't think you're go
ing to monopolize our only man!
We've held council Of war and de-
cided to call him to the front to lead
an exploring party into the ravine
where the wild columbine grows"
Dolly laughed and ran ahead, to be
first In line as they reached pain
leading down from the orchard into
the ravine. Madge was the last In
line, and, instead Of following the
others, turned into q path leading 10
the left where she could see a tiny
stream Of clear water pouring from q
spring. The voices Of the others
sounded farther and farther way, ana
suddenly there came a quick thunder
clap that brought surprised screams
from the girls and started them back
up the steep path.
Madge, planning to run ahead OF the
others, made q quick start, but
stepped on q loose stone. wrenchine
her ankle SO that the next step
caused severe pain. PiQued at the
failure of her plan. but determined not
to be dependent upon their one male
escort, she sat down behind a tree -
the others drew near. One after an
other of the girls called her, but sne
did not reply.
"You girls run for the house." saio
Tom, 'and I'll scout around down tnia
path" In another moment. Tom had
found Madge, discovered her injury
and in, spite Of her vigorous and even
angry protests. picked her up In hii
arms and started up the path In long
quick strides.
As they reached the orchard scat
tering hailstones began to pelt then
like pebbles from a slingshot. UndeI
a big apple tree. Tom let Madge Sill
to her feet, and removing his coat
made a covering for their heads while
he stood on the side to protect me-
from the wind-driven hall and rain
The shower passed as suddenly as
came. and as Madge looked up int
Toms eyes, even the darkening twi
light could not hide the surrender II
her own eyes. :.
I'm SO sorry to have been Dotl
rude and troublesome" she said sfm
ply. "for 1t was all the result OF m'
determination not to lee you be nice Z
me-"
'Tm sorry only for your spraine'
ankle" said Tom. "Shall we hurry OF
and call doctorT"
"A doctor may not be necessary,
said Madge. "but we must hurry to pu
Door Mrs. Estes out of suspense. LIE
me walk. though"
mo; it might seriously aggravat
the injury" Toms tone was positiv
and Madge's protests were as wea
now as they had been strong a littl