The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1916-03-02
WHAT ALLIED TOM?
BY WARD GRAHAM.

lands like Mercury on heaven-kissine
hin. There had been a dearth of in
teresting and unattached males fol
months ever since the closing of the
summer season, but Tom arrived as
the eastern coast representative of 9
large automobile concern. opened W
charming quarters in the new banl
building and had FIVE machines at hii
disposal as exhibits to prospective
buyers.
Not only that. but he was q goot
mixer. He had known several of the
girls brothers at Yale. He had me-
them here and there in business. HI
knew Gladys Martins aunt in Chicago
and Louise Ainsworth's grandfather IL
Louisville.
Yet, after four months, the girls o.
Ottawa began to take an inventory o.
Toms capabilities, so to speak. HI
measured up all right to their parents
standards. but as Louise put it:
There's something about Tom that's
wrong. think he's too important"
mo. he's just lucky. He seems tc
happen along always in the nick Of
time. WONDER" Gladys hesitated, hel
gray eyes dreamy and musing, 81
wonder hoU any times he's been en-
engaged"
Three times right here in Ottawa
Highlands" Beth Phillips said. 81 was
one Of them. And I don't mind saying
one bit that it only lasted two weeks.
There had been a committee meet
ing at Beth's home. A Mi-Careme
bazaar was to be held in the town
hall and somehow, after all arrange
ments and plans had been settled, the
talk had naturally drifted to Tom.
There were four girls present Beth,
Gladys and Louise. were cid settlers
at the Highlands, but Nan Rogers was
a newcomer
do know him." she asked.
you WILL" sighed Louise. Nobody
who comes here escapes him. But he
won't bother you. He can't bear girls
who have red hair
you ought to be glad of it, too,
Man." cried Beth. He's impossible.
He gets On your nerves because he
always does the right thing. don't You
know. You feel he was born fully
equipped fer life. What part are you
going to take in the tableaux?"
Il want to be Queen Elizabeth be.
cause she had red hair, but can't,
80 Gladys put me down as Good Luck
! believe l am to bear the magic sym.
Dol Of white horse upon my banner
carry q bouquet Of four-leaf clovers
and Jingle some horseshoes, with
swastikas sprinkled right plentifully
over my gown"
when I was engaged to Tom." be-
gan Gladys. in a purely offhand man
ner, he told me he had lot Of lucky
charms he'd picked up In his many
rambles over the fair face of Mothe,
Earth. Maybe he'd loan us some"
TIL ask him for the charms as
30 by tonight" said Nan. laughingly
I'm afraid you'll all be cross to him.
The automobile Office was we'll light
ed as she came down Main street. II
was half past four Tom glanced ul
as the door swung breezily open ant
wondered why she walked past hi.
desk to that of his assistant.
"Oh, Roswell, l wonder IL you'd
mind introducing me to Mr.. Ames,
she said mischievously. I've got t.
borrow something from him for oul
bazaar, and he doesn't know me al
ALL"
1t was a splendid starter. Tom wal
willing, before she left. to pledge al
five machines as we'll as the lucky
charm to her service. He wondered
vaguely how he could ever have avoid
ed girls with red hair.
Only one thing she had said dis
turbed him.
i don't believe you owe anything t.
yourself. Mr.. Ames,' she had sale
teasingly. You're Just lucky"
That bothered him. He went to tn,
Mi-Careme bazaar with more than In
terest. and the other girls looked a
Mans conquest with pity.
Nan refused to flirt. She was fran]
and gay with him. brimful Of goo,
comradeship, but no sentiment.
Listen just minute" she flashe,
back impetuously. You don't have t
make love to me, Mr.. Ames, just to b
popular. I don't want to be engage
to you" She laughed at him. Don
you think you could try and play
new record with me, say, friendshi
duet?"
Look out for your dress, Nan!
called Louise quickly, leaning owe
her table to try to reach Mans e
bow. But it was too late. She ha
leaned back against a little bunch Q
lighted candles on the candle tabl
and the little licking tongue of fir
ran to her shoulder. caught hungril
at her hair her throat and breast. Jus
how he did 1t, Tom never quite knew
There was a scramble among thos
near as he whipped of his coat an
wrapped it around her, lifted her /
his arms and carried her outdoor
After the excitement was over. tn
girls at the candy table stared at on
another.
His hands were awfully burned
said Beth, softly.
And when he knelt out there in th
snow and put out the fire she put ht
arm around his neck. Then he wrappe
her in his fur robe and took her HON
Her mother went with them. Did yo
ever?"
He's so lucky" Gladys laughe
that he even saved Good Luck he