The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1916-07-08
THE DAILY
SHORT STORY
Happiness First.
BY ISABEL HARTWELL.
Copyright, 1916. by the Mcclure
NEWSPAPER Syndicate.l

tSopyFlSHt, 1910 by the Mcclure
Newspaper Syndicate.)
Tom Wayne, why don't you get mar.
ried and shoulder your share of re-
sponsibiltty? Mrs. Estes put this ques.
tion 10 her sons chum, who was also
her attorney.
My lear Mr.. Estes, as a bachelor I
can be nice to all the ladies', but once
I'm married l must limit my atten.
tions to the woman who condescends
to take me. Tom smiled at Mrs. Estes
as le pushed aside the papers they
had been discussing.
You're Just beating about the bush
with that silly argument, Mrs. Estes
was kind, but firm, as she continued
her attack. First thing you know
you'll be an old bachelor instead of
Just bachelor. and II any girl takes
you 1t vii be for your money. Tom,
you're too fine man to dwindle into
smirking old bachelor whom all the
girls smile upon in the open and frown
upon in private.
You'-e merclless. Mrs. Estes. BE.
sides, I'm only thirty-four, and not
quite a nuisance even to the girls OF
twenty. There was spirit in Toms
retort.
I'm being purposely direct, Tom, for
you're just at the point where man
begins to take up each younger set
OF girls as they come on, and. once
settled In that habit. his doom Is seal.
ed. want you to have happier fato,
and want some nice girl to have the
happy fate Of becoming your wife
while you're still the charming Tom
Wayne who is welcome everywhere.
Her voice was full OF feeling
make my humble obeisance for tho
compliment, my lady and may I ask
whether you have particular girl
picked out for me?
No, shaking her head, for the girls
nowadays are as bent upon putting off
marriage as the men are. know any
number of nice girls who would make
good wives for men like you IL both
Of YOU would only throw aside those
foolish notions about not giving up
your so.called freedom.
Bring EN- on In numbers as mary
as you like. laughed Tom. There's
safety in numbers. you know. but don't
set me adrift with some particular
one.
Is that bargain, Tom? demanded
Mrs. Estes.
Yes, but what are YOU up to now?
I'm going TO have sevei girls Mt
my country house for a girls party
tomorrow afternoon and evening.
dare you to drop in Unexpectedly for
dinner.
Dare me? I'll be there. and I'm not
bit sacred. for seven Is my luck nun.
her. Both laughed US they babe each
other good afternoon.
The next evening. as Tom Wayne
steered his gray roadster into the road
way that wound under the big tree up
10 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 was fool 10
have allowed himself to be drawn into
a company Of seven frivolous girls.
He could imagine to what heights their
frivolity had reached after a whole
afternoon together. but he determined
to let Mrs. Estes see no sign OF his
weakening.
Any chance for a hungry tramp to
get dinner here? he called out, as he
brought his car to stop.
Why, Tom Wayne, exclaimed Mrs.
Estes. in effusively feigned surprise.
where did you spring from? OF course.
you can have your dinner, but you'll
have to earn It by being gallant to all
these girls.
Nothing could give me greater pleas.