The Wahpeton times. [volume] (Wahpeton, Richland County, Dakota [N.D.]) 1879-1919, 1916-10-05
PLANS Of MICE AND MEN
BY RUTH isHAM.

Tommy Carstairs early in his career
made up his mind to keep level head
and not let his heart run away with
him. He would watch his chance and
marry some girl who happened to be
an only daughter of some rich old
fellow with Il bad heart.
So he settled down to his ledger at
Smith & Dewey's, fairly we'll contented
with life, confident that time was all
that was needed to consummate his
plan.
Therefore 1t was with keen annoy
ance that he woke one morning real
iztng that he had made fool Of him
self the night before and, quite before
he knew what he was doing, had pro-
posed to Clorinda Mowry, one Of the
photographers ut the Office.
Tommy had been afraid of Clorinda.
He had caught himself time and again
watching the outline of her head
against the big plate glass window, and
her hair had way of catching the
sun and rejecting 1t into his eyes that
was quite annoying.
And being fully aware that the girl
would wreck all his carefully laid plans
for prosperous future If he were not
exceptionally cautious, it was ridicu-
lous that he had allowed his feelings
to get the better of him just because a
silly boat upset and he thought she
was dying. He had called her his
darling. And he had told she must
live for him, that he adored her. and SO
on.
Then light broke upon his gloom.
Had he really proposed to her? Telling
a girl You love her and that she is So
and-so and sO-and-so doesn't mean that
you have offered her your heart and
hand. He bathed and dressed hurried
ly, breakfasted and made for the Office.
He had plan.
"The vacation lists are out and I'll
sign up for mine right away. BY the
time I get back perhaps Clorinda will
have forgotten what said. Besides.
II go to Kenebunket, or Menobscot,
where millionaires are at a discount, I
may be able to persuade some fair
maid to take me on for keeps. Why
not?" a. .se.... 80
Well, there Is mouse In relating that
Tommy had another awakening almost
Is shocking as the one I have de-
scribed. Only this one took several
days. In that time he learned that al
though his name might he w. Thomas
Carstairs and that he dressed well. the
summer colcnists would have none of
him. He found himself in state of
isolation that was enlightening and not
flatterlng. But just when he needed
consolation the most he found it. And
her name was L0relei!
He was coming along the beach one
day and as he passed she dropped her
book. He restored it. She thanked
him. He remarked on the weather. She
spoke Of something else. They both
mentioned boating and it ended in
taking ride In a launch together. She
was very pretty-straight, classic fea-
lures and very light hair netted and
puffed to perfection.
1--WE only been here day or so"
she said confidentially, "and l feel
rather lost. You see, we've been in
Europe every summer until last year
and we spent that in the Canadian
Rockies. Father and mother are there
nOw, but came here from school with
my companion to wait until they join
me. Then we are going to Nova
Scotia"
Tommy chirked up his business ear.
The boat ride was great success
and over all too soon. Then followed q
stroll on the terrace Qnd, later, they
went into the billiard room.
They sat down and waited for q
table. Two men next to Tommy were
talking.
II see old Golden's dead!" said one.
"You don't say SO. Who'll get his
money!"
"That little granddaughter, the only
one Of the whole family that's left.
You know her parents died OH the
Essex when it was blown up. She
gave up every cent Of her fortune to
the Belgians and they say the old
man was so mad he wouldn't give her
a dime. So she's working somewhere
for living. OF course she'll get it all
now. Something like fifteen millions :"
The two weeks were up and Tommy
had to leave, but not before one moon
light night he had begged for Lorelei's
hand and been promised 1t.
Then came the day when he had to
return to the Office. He had worried
about Clorinda, wondering how she
would take it. But he put on a brave
front and went in. Her place was
empty!
Haven't you heard the news, Tom
my?" called Fosdic&. "Old Golden was
Clorinda's grrnddaddy and he up and
died and left her fifteen millions"
T0:.i:,iy; was holding his desk for sup
Eport.
"And we miss her like the devil, but
there's peach taking her place-tall,
blonde and-ahem.'
A girl walked over to ClOrinda's
aeat and sat down in front Of the ma
chine. "Lorelei," gasped. Tommy. by
all that's holy"
Now. ought to finish by saying thet
Tommy got his ;Est deserts, that Lo.