Pine Bluff daily graphic., 1916-09-03
HAPPINESS FIRST
By ISABEL FAREWELL.

l of just a bachelor, ana II any Slll takes you it will be for your money. Tom, you're too fine a man to dWlnule into d smirking old bachelor whom all the girls smile upon in the open and frown upon in private.'
 q make my humble obeisance for the compliment, my lady, and may ask whether you have a particular girl picked out for me?'
 "No," shaking her head, "for the girls nowadays are as bent upon put ting off marriage as the men are. 1 know any number of nice girls who would make good wives for men like you if both of you would only throw aside these 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.'
 "Im going to have seven girls at my country house for a girls party tomorrow afternoon and evening. l dare you to drop in unexpectedly for | dinner"
 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 he 1 +o ho1 o1lnyn1 hiynca1f f0 be drawn into company of seven frivolous girls.
 Tom went up the veranda steps smiling and lowing to each girl in turn. Discovering that two of the girls were strangers to him brought a little reserve into his manner especial ly as one of the girls-a high-headed blcnde, with creamy white skin and hazel eyes, greeted him with their in- troducticn with dignity that had in it hint of hauteur.
 1; Tom rightly supposed that her lack of cordiality was partly due to dis pleasure at having a man thrust him. self into what was to her an Adamless Eden.
 "NIiss Enderby is from Boston, Tom, and I'm sure she'll be glad to know you're a 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.
 "Now, Madge," called out Dolly Peters, "you needn't think you're go- ing to mOnopOliZe our only man! We've held a council of war and de- cided to call him to the front to lead an exploring party into the ravlne where the wild columbine grows.'' Dolly laughed and ran ahead, to be first in line as they reached path leading down from the orchard into the ravine. Madge was the last in line, and, instead of following the others, turned into a path leading to the left where she could see a tiny stream of clear water pouring from spring. The voices of the others sounded farther and farther way, and suddenly there came 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 quick start, but stepped on loose stone, wrenching 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 tree as the others drew near. One after an- other of the girls called her, but she did not reply.
 "You girls run for the house." said Tom, "and I'll scout around down this 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 his arms and started up the path in long, quick strides.
 As they reached the orchard, scat tering hailstones began to pelt them like pebbles from a slingshot. Under big apple tree, Tom let Madge slip to her feet, and removing his coat, made covering for their heads while he stood on the side to protect her from the wind-driven hail and rain. The shower passed as suddenly as it came, and as Madge looked up into Toms eyes, even the darkening tWi- light could not hide the surrender in her own eyes.
 "I'm so sorry to have been both rude and troublesome" she said sim ply, "for it was all the result of my determination not to let you be nice to me-"
 "I'm sorry only for your sprained ankle." said Tom. "Shall we hurry on and call a doctor?"
 "A doctor may not be necessary said Madge, "but we must hurry to put poor Mrs. Estes out of suspense. Let me walk, though"
 "No; it might seriously aggravate the injury" Toms tone was positive and Madge's protests were as weak now as they had been strong little while before.
 Although young woman of twenty c ,,,;4l, n Gpo physiu1,o iS nOt o 1ipht