The Wahpeton times. [volume] (Wahpeton, Richland County, Dakota [N.D.]) 1879-1919, 1916-11-30
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
IN only daughter of some rich old
fellow with 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 It was with keen annoy.
ance that he woke one morning real-
izing 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
stenOgraphers at 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 it into his eyes that
was quite annoying.
And being fully aware that the girl
would wreck all his carefully laid plans
for a 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 80
on.
Then light broke upon his gloom.
Had he really proposed to her? Telling
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 get hack perhaps Clorinda will
have forgotten what said. Besides,
II go to Kenebunket, or Menobscot,
where millionaires are at discount. I
may be able to persuade some fair
maid to take me on for keeps. Why
not?"
Well, there is mouse in relating that
Tommy had another awakening almost
as shocking as the one have de-
scribed. Only this one took several
days. In that time he learned that al
though his name might be w. Thomas
Carstairs and that he dressed well. the
summer colonists would have none Of
him. He found himself in state Of
isolation that was enlightening and not
flattering. But just when he needed
consolation the most he found 1t. And
her name was Lorelei!
He was coming along the beach one
day and us 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 u launch together. She
was very pretty-straight classic fea-
lures and very light hair netted and
puffed to perfection.
"I've only been here u day or So"
she said confilentinlly, "nnd 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 and, 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!"
'"rhat 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 ana they say the OLD
man was SO mad he wouldn't give he
dime. So she's working soInew'1
for living. Of course she'll get
now. Something like fifteen milli
The two weeks were up and
had to leave, but not before ~ p
light night he had begged !. IL
hand and been promised f. O
Then came the day "
return to the office. Ell {
about Clorinda, wond0 INV
would take 1t. But he
front and went in.
empty! q
Haven't you l1rm.
lny?" called FO
Clorinda's e. .....
died and Ief'st it make her
TOlumyv
port.