Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1916-07-01
Euening Story
JUST Fer TONIGHT.
By Earl Reed SiIvers.

Copyright, 1916, by the Mcclure
Newspaper Syndicate.)
The strains Of Just for Tonight
died away. Phil Kendall looked into
the eyes Of Mildred Arnold and smiled.
rs It going to be just for tonight
| with us?" he whispered.
Il guess so, Phil She spoke kindly,
but there was hint Of determination
in her voice. There's Arthur. you
know"
Phil frowned darkly
Are you engaged to him"
Almost" Mildreds voice quivered
| slightly. ut isn't announced yet, but
two years ago. when he was a sopho-
more in college. promised him."
And now. when you know that he
! isn't all you thought he was. are you
going to keep your promise?"
yes" They had walked to the porch
of the big gymnasium and were stand
ing In the shadows. Its the only thing
for me to do"
But it isn't" Phil spoke passion
ately. when you find out that you
don't love a man, it's wrong to con-
tinue your engagement with him."
Mildred shook her head.
81 wish l could think so, but can't
I've been brought up to believe that
| promise is sacred"
But your whole future is at stake"
II know, but that doesn't make a
promise less binding. Arthur hasn't
done anything wrong SO far as ! know
He's just weak, but lots and lots OF
men are weak and girls have married
them just the' same"
| He's coward" Phil spoke holly.
! "You-you really, haven't any right
to say that" The girl laid a restrain
ing hand on his arm. you must re-
member that am engaged to him.
II beg your pardon!" He was silent
for minute or. two, but suddenly ne
turned to her impulsively. Il know
shouldn't say these things" he said,
"but it hurts me so to know that you
are going to give yourself to someone
who isn't worthy of you. Not that l
am" he added hastily, "but at least I'm
more of man than Arthur Martin U.s."
II know you are" She spoke softly.
Then why don't you tell him so?"
81 can't; promise is promise. Ar
thur has always been perfectly fair
with me and until he does something
to which I can take exception will not
break the engagement"
The music for the next dance drifted
I out of the open doorway and Arthur
Martin appeared to claim his partner.
Phil watched them until they were lost
in the shifting crowd of dancers.
IF only something would happen to
show her what cad he isl" he NUT
| tered. "r.
During the rest of the evening moth
| ing happened and when the final dance
was concluded, Arthur and Mildred
walked arm in arm from the fraternity
room where the house party was being
held. Phil saw them at the baseball
game the next afternoon and in the
evening, when he stood on tho porch
of Ferrold hall where the final dance OF
junior week was being held, he watch
ed as they whirled of together to the
strains OF Mighty LAX Rose" the
first waltz of the night
Phil managed to engage the sixth
and seventh dances with Mildred and
instead of staying in the crowded hall
they walked over the shadowy paths Of
the Belmont campus until they came to
the steps of the old Kings building,
|
hidden in the shadows and the two per-
not ten feet away did not notice them.
Phil started as he noted that one Of
the figures was Arthur Martin and the
other Nellie Burt, whom he knew by
sight as factory hand for the Thomp.
son company downtown.
They could hear Martin speaking an
grily.
IT tell you I'm through" he said.
But you promised to marry me-"
There was hint of tears in the girls
voice.
81 can't marry you; I'm engaged to
some one else"
"You must" She spoke tensely, and
} seized the arm OF his coat "You can't
turn me down like this"
l., I'm not turning you down. didn't
promise to marry you-just suggested
that we might possibly be married
some day."
you asked me that night on the
river"
Il didn't" r-.srs
l "You did-you know you did,
The two in the shadows could not
help hearing what was said. Phil re.
covered from his amazement first and
took Mildred's arm.
Come on" he suggested. Lets 60
back to the hall"
mo" Mildred spoke firmly. I'm
going to find out the truth about this
affair"
Before he could stop her she had
confronted Martin and the other girl
! Arthur" she asked. lis this girl
speaking the TRUTH"
Martin gasped as he saw her.
Mildred" he parted, what in the
world are you doing here?'
II was setting on the steps with Phil
she answered steadily, "and couldn't
help hearing what you said"
Nellie Burt stepped forward
Are you the girl he's engaged tor
she asked. VII
} YES"
"Well he promised to marry me.
/ gave I'D all the other boys for him and