Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1916-07-11
Euening Story
HAPPINESS FIRST.
BY Isabel Hartwell.

Copyright 1916, by the Mcclure
| Newspaper Syndicate.(
"Tom Wayne, why don't you gel
married and shoulder your share or
responsibility" Mrs. Estes put this
question to her sons chum, who was
also her attorney.
! MY dear Mrs Estes. as bachelor
I can be nice to all the ladies', but once
I'm married must limit my atten-
lions to the woman who condescends
to take me-" Tom smiled at Mrs.
Estes as he pushed aside the papers
they had been discussing.
! You're just beating about the bush
with that silly argument" Mrs. Estes
twas kind, but firm, as she continued
her attack. First thing you know
you'll be an old bachelor instead OF
just bachelor, and II any girl takes
you it will be for your money. Tom,
you're too fine man to dwindle into
Sinking old bachelor whom all the
girls smile upon in the open and
frown upon in private
you're merciless. Mrs. Estes. Be-
sides, I'm only thirty-four and not
quite q nuisance even to the girls or
Twenty" There was spirit in Toms
retort.
I'm being purposely direct, Tom.
for you're Just at the point where a
man begins to take up each younger
set OF girls as they come on, and.
once settled in that habit. his doom
is sealed want you to have hap
pier fate, and Iswant some nice girl
to have the happy fate Of becoming
your wife while you're still the charm-
ing Tom Wayne who Is welcome
everywhere" Her voice was full of
feeling.
81 make my humble obeisance for
the compliment my lady and may l
ask whether you have particular
girl picked out for me?''
mo" shaking her head, "for the
girls nowadays are as bent upon put
ting off marriage as the men are. |
know any number of nice girls VINO
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 particu-
lar one"
"Is that bargain, Tom?" demand
ed Mrs. Estes.
"Yes but what are you up to now?'
I'm going to have seven girls at
my country house for a girls party
tomorrow afternoon and evening. |
dare you to drop in Unexpectedly for
dinner"
; Dare me? I'll be there and I'm not
bit scared, for seven Is my lucky
number" Both laughed as they babe
, each other good afternoon.
The next evening as Tom Wayne
steered his gray roadster into the
roadway that wound under the Dig
trees I'm 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 he
was fool to have allowed himself
to be drawn into company of seven
. frivolous girls. He could imagine to
what heights their frivolity had reach
ed after whole afternoon together,
but he determined to let Mrs. Estes
see no sign Of his weakening.
ANY chance for hungry tramp
to get dinner here?" he called out, as
he brought his car to stop.
"Why. Tom Wayne!" exclaimed
Mrs. Estes. in effusively feigned sur
prise. "where did you spring from?
or course. you can have your dinner
but you'll have to earn it by being
gallant to all these girls"
Nothing could give me greater
pleasure" said Tom, stepping from
the car.
" we are seven sang out Dolly
Peters, and general giggle followed
as she added: And you are only one!
It's going to be strenuous gallantry
for YOU
: at your service, even if you were
, seven times seven. though increasing
the number couldn't possibly increase
NV pleasure" And Tom went up the
yeranda steps smiling and bowling to
each girl in turn. Discovering that
two of the girls were strangers to
him brought a little reserve into his
,, manner, especially as one Of the
strange girls-a high-headed blonde
with creamy white skin and hazel
ewes greeted him with their introduc
: tiop with dignity that had in it a
hint of hauteur. She wore one of those
soft white gowns loosely belted and
hanging in profuse folds and plaits
which failed to conceal the beauty OF
, the figure it covered.
Tom rightly supposed that her lack
Of cordially was partly due to dis
, 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.
T Miss Endersby is from Boston
Tom. and I'm sure she'll be glad to
know you're Harvard man. The
astute hostess then went into the
, house to arrange some things about
the dinner. and Madge Enderby and
Tom began to speak of Boston.
!, Nov, Madge," called out Dolly
Peters, you needn't think you're 60
7 ing to monopolize our only man!