The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1916-02-22
WHAT ALLIED TONI
BY WARD GRAHAM.

lands like Mercury on heaven kissing
hill. There had been a dearth of in
teresting and unattached males for
months ever since the closing of the
summer season, but Tom arrived as
the eastern coast representative Of a
large automobile concern, opened up
charming quarters in the new bank
building and had FIVE machines at his
disposal as exhibits to prospective
buyers.
Not only that. but he was a good
mixer He had known several of the
girls brothers at Yale. He had met
them here and there in business He
knew Gladys Martins aunt in Chicago
and Louise Ainsworth's grandfather in
Louisville.
Yet, after four months. the girls Of
Ottawa began to take an inventory of
Toms capabilities. SO to speak. He
measured up all right to their parents
standards, but as Louise put 1t:
There's something about Tom that's
wrong. think he's too important"
No, he's just lucky. He seems to
happen along always in the nick of
time. wonder" Gladys hesitated, her
gray eyes dreamy and musng, Il
wonder how many times he's been en-
engaged"
Three times right here in Ottawa
Highlands" Beth Phillips said Il was
one of them. And 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
newcomer.
DO know him." she asked.
you will" sighed Louise Nobody
who comes here escapes him. But he
won't bother you. He cant 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 l can't
so Gladys put me down as Good Luck
! believe am to bear the magic sym
Dol Of a white horse upon my banner
carry bouquet of four-leaf clovers
and jingle some horseshoes. with
swastikas sprinkled right plentifully
over my gown"
When | was engaged to Tom" be
gan Gladys, In a purely offhand man
ner, 'he told me he had lot of luck,
charms he'd picked up in his many
rambles over the fair face of Mother
Earth. Maybe he'd loan us some"
'Tll ask him for the charms as
go 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. Il
was half past four. Tom glanced W
as the door swung breezily open anc
wondered why she walked past hi.
desk to that of his assistant
"Oh. Roswell, wonder IL you't
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 a
ALL"
1t was splendid starter Tom wa,
willing, before she left, to pledge al
five machines as well as the luck,
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
Il don't believe you owe anything t.
yourself, Mr.. Ames,' she had salt
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 flrt She was franl
] and gay with him. brimful of goot
comradeship. but no sentiment.
Listen just minute she fashe,
back impetuously You don't have t.
make love to me. Mr. Ames, just to b,
popular. | don't want to be engaged
to you" She laughed at him. Don
you think you could try and play /;
new record with me, say, friendship
duet?"
Look out for your dress, Nam
called Louise quickly, leaning ovel
her table to try to reach Mans ell
bow. But it was too late. She hat
leaned back against little bunch o.
lighted candles on the candle table
and the little licking tongue OF fire
ran to her shoulder, caught hungrily
at her hair. her throat and breast. Just
how he did 1t, Tom never quite knew
There was a scramble among those
near as he whipped OF his coat and
wrapped IT around her. lifted her In
his arms and carried her outdoors
After the excitement was over, the
girls at the candy table stared at one
another.
His hands were awfully burned,
said Beth. softly
And when he knelt out there in the
snow and put out the fire she put her
arm around his neck. Then he wrapped
her in his fur robe and took her home
Her mother went with them. Did you
ever?"
He's so lucky" Gladys laughed
that he even saved Good Luck her
self. Girls, all persons with red hair