The Glenwood post., 1917-02-24
DOING NEW YORK
BY LOUISE OLIVER.


his pocket and looked out at the snow.
the first of the season. BE had much
the same thought now that he had had
when the first yellow buds Oh the
naples In front of the house were
swelling in the spring. Why was 1t
that the seasons changed 80 fast and
he was still not engaged to Martha7
The whole thing amounted to this:
Tommy was never sure that he wanted
Martha forever until some other fellow
came along and threatened to carry
out the program himself.
Il think" he said. with shrug.
"that need change. A week or two
Of New York will put new life into me.
The girls there have a dash and style
that's diverting after a diet of quiet
village maidens. Even Martha. pretty
as she is. has about as much pep as
milk toast"
So he packed up, fixed things at the
Office so he could leave. and called
Martha on the phone to say 'good-by."
Isn't 1t funny" answered Martha.
when she heard the news. 81 was just
going to call you and tell you the same
thing. I'm going to New York, too.
Cousin Walters wife sent for me to
make them a visit, and I'm starting to-
morrow. Wouldn't it be funny II I'd
see you there7"
Now this was Tommy's cue to say:
"Of course you will. If you give me
your address," But instead he an
swered hastily: "Yes. wouldn't it: but
I'm afraid won't be so lucky. Every
minute will be full to the limit; busi-
ness must be attended to. you know.
But hope you have 4 dne time. little
girl, and won't quite forget me while
you're doing society,"" q.
And with his mind firmly fixed upon
the good time he intended to have with
Brinton from Albany. whom he had
wired to meet him. he boarded the
$50 express and forgot all about
Martha.
But when he reached the hotel next
morning he found telegram from
Brinton saying that he couldn't be
present at the festivities.
This was a damper. because he had
always counted on Brinton to steer
him around.
He tried to think Of what he and
Brinton had done in the mornings on
their last visit to Manhattan; surely
they had done something to choke in
the time. Then he remembered. Why.
sleep. Of course. They never got to
bed until three or four. and they rose
at noon.
The day passed in some way. He
went to the Hippodrome In the after
noon and the opera in the evening. But
LA Boheme" bored him and he left
before It was over. He picked a caba-
ret at random. but he did not enjoy 1t.
The people were all In two or fours.
He was the only one alone and he
didn't know q soul.
But Tommy was game. BE had come
to New York for a time, so time he
would have If he died In the attempt.
The next day was new round Of soli-
tary pleasures. varying little from the
first. and the next was almost like 1t.
Then one day as he was walking
along Fifth avenue two women came
out of shop and were climbing into a
limousine when one Of them cried,
"Why, there's Tommy Crawford. Hello,
Toni"
beaming on him delightedly and hold
ing out her hand.
cousin Mary, want you to meet
Tommy. Mr.. Crawford. Come and get
in and drive home with US, won't you?
I'm dying for a talk. I've been having
such glorious time I'm crazy to tell
someone all about It."
Tommy's lonely heart gave a few
longing thumps. How he wanted to
accept. But he remembered his excuse
Of urgent business. "No, thank you."
he drew out his watch. ''It's getting
late and I have an appointment But
I'll ring you up and maybe you can
spare me minute again." ~
Cousin Mary mentioned a night for
dinner. and after considerable refiec-
tion and deliberation Tommy mur-
INJURED that she was very kind and he'd
certainly do his best to arrange to 60.
It was almost week ahead.
And in the meantime It seemed that
Tommy was due to collide with Martha
and her friends everywhere he went,
pnd Tommy's heart had many q jaai-
Gus pang when he saw the number Of
nsn who paid her attention.
Then came the night Of the dinner.
Tommy found the anair q state cere-
mony large enough ID leave his ab-
ssncs and Martha's aftsrward prac-
Ideally unnodced. They had slipped
into the conservatory.
you'll never guess how lonely rye
been. Martha" confessed Tommy with
meaning be thought the girl Httle
guessed.
"Poor Tommyr sympathised Aar.
tha.