Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1916-06-17
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Eueni tor y
THE MATER oFgAahAME.
BY Earl Reed SiIv~s.

.------------- tst.f
BY Earl Reed SiIvers.
Copyright, 1916, by the Mcclure
.,,r4 Newspaper Syndicate.)
Two days before the Junior Promen.
ade Shrimp" Black received by mail
delicious box of home made fudge.
Enclosed in the box was a small piece
of lavender paper, on which were writ.
ten the words, "I'll see you at the
dance. Gertrude" -. .t-
Shrimp frowned. He knew good
many girls, but for the life of him. he
couldn't think of single Gertrude
among them. The package was post
marked White Plains, N. Y! but this
made the mystery only more battling.
He didn't know single person In
White Plains. However, he ate the
candy with relish and resolved to ask
the first name Of every girl with whom
he danced. ''
AT the house party preceding the
prom he examined the fair guests
with unusual interest, wondering if by
any possibility the one who had sent
him the candy was among them. Seat
ed directly opposite him at the supper
table was the prettiest girl he had
ever seen. In Shrimps estimation she
overshadowed all the others about as
white rose would overshadow a
bunch of dandelions His heart went
out to her, and he resolved to do his
level best to give her a good time dur.
ing the week end He was glad that
his own partner had disappointed him
at the last moment-it would leave
him free to devote himsel ito the stran-
ger. So directly after supper he pre-
scented himself for introduction.
This is Miss Huntley OF White
Plains" the chaperon announced.
Shrimp's heart stood still. The blood
raced at double. speed through his six
feet two inches Of manhood.
I'm delighted to meet YOU" he STAN
mered II didn't know any one was
coming here from White Plains"
She smiled up at him. Is
why not from White Plains?" she
asked. Shrimp couldn't. quite decide
whether. there was a twinkle, In her
eyes or not. -. E ~ "a -. : 4
"Oh, no reason at ALL he assured
her. Then he added, II know a girl in
White Plains. Her name is Gertrude"
4 81 don't suppose I've met her" There
was a hint Of mischief in Miss Hunt
ley's voice as. she to be here tonight?
"She-she rather expected to come
he admitted uneasily. - - - = -
whats her last name?" Shrimp was
certain now that she was laughing at
him. , 30. ~, ,- T.
Il don't know" 80, t.- ....,.A.
What? You don't know"
Eyes, actually don't" Shrimp smil-
ed slightly at her too evident amaze
ment. Strange, isn't it," ..-. -...-
II should say it was. How do you
explain it," ,,s.- b., ,.s., 80 , --,..o
"Ill tell you all about it," he an
nounced,,t..if you'll tell me your frst
name" . -.... ...s,
But Shrimp was doomed to disap-
pointment for at that psychological
moment Bill Scudder, his roommate,
appeared on the scene. ...@
"If you want to get to the dance on
time he advised Miss Huntley, you'd
better start getting dressed now.
"An right" she answered, I'll hurry
And flashing a bright smile at Shrimp
she was gone. ~ MI ~ ~, .-,a..
81 always thought that Bill Scndder
was a good fellow" Shrimp soliloquiz-
ed, "but now I'm little doubtful His
glance e followed his roommate who
had gone to the spacious porch of the
fraternity house. IT might ask him
what her name is he thought sudden
ly. but no. he concluded. "Ill make
her tell me herself. have a sneaking
feeling that she's the Gertrude who
sent the candy. ...,.
According to the established Gus
tom of roommates, Shrimp and Bill
Scudder exchanged the second dance.
81 believe we were talking about
names when we were interrupted
Miss Huntley began, as soon as they
whirled of together to the tune OF
.sEvelyn.-' s...You were :going to tell me
about that Gertrude from White Plains
'T was" Shrimp answered. but 1--we
concluded not to do it until you tell me
your nane,'' I:+l452'L.s r .."ff y"% %&
i"We'N COMPROMISED She threw back
her head and smiled up at him., you
tell me the story first, and then maybe
I'll solve the mystery =. 5e@
1.-TWO days ago. Shrimp began, 81
received a. box Of candy from White
Plains. In it was note from a girl
named Gertrude. Isl. ~. : 5&,
1;g "And old fame, perhaps" ,a y
Z. mo, haven't any old flames He
shook his head positively. r
What did the girl say in the note? ?"