The Brattleboro daily reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1913-1955, 1917-07-11
THING THAT COUNTS
BY EARL REED SILVERS.

ed casually to Mildred McAdams Its
what he does that really counts"
Mildred looked up at him with rath-
er wistful eyes. They were rather
pretty eyes, too, as Jimmy had more
than once noticed; and hidden in their
depths was a light which, if Jimmy
had been little wiser, would have
told him something which would have
made his heart miss a beat or two.
They had grown up together. Ever
since the new little girl next door had
stuck out her tongue at him Jimmy
had felt rather proprietary interest
in Mildred, perhaps as the years wore
on and Mildred grew into the prom
Use of wOmanhood, she wondered if
Jimmy's interest would ever be other
than neighborly. But whatever her
thoughts, she kept them strictly to
herself. And so, until the Assembly |
ball at the Country club, Mildred and |
Jimmy pursued the even tenor of their
ways.
And then John Hastings appeared |
He was sitting on the porch of the |
club when Jimmy's car drew up, and |
as soon as his eyes dwelt upon Mil |
dred smile of joyful recognition over.
spread his features. When Jimmy re
turned from parking the car he found
Mildred in animated conversation with
good-looking young man who was
evidently stranger in Bridgetown.
ooh, Jimmy!" she exclaimed, hap
| PLY. "This is John Hastings, whom ]
met last summer at the shore. You've
heard me speak of him, I'm sure"
Jimmy had heard her speak of him
a good deal, and he regarded the new.
conner with interest.
| '1'm mighty pleased to meet you,"
he announced in voice which seemed
| perfectly sincere. mildred has told
| me about your good times last sum-
mer"
ooh, yes" the man answered. Mil
lie and l enjoyed ourselves very
! much"
Mile. A sudden unreasonable jeal-
ousy smote the heart Of Jimmy Bar
rett. What right had that fellow to
call her Mile?
From within the club the orchestra
struck up a onestep and Tasting turn
ed TO Mildred.
|, MAY / have the pleasure?" he ask
ed.
Mildred, with q glance at Jimmy's
Unexpectedly frowtling face, dimpled
mischievously.
I'D be delighted" she answered.
| lybop tbor rntrrrr7aH from tho Hoppp
they found Jimmy standing where
they had left him. During the five
minutes in which Mildred had danced
with Hastings, Jimmy's heart had re-
vealcd itself. Waiting in the shadows
of the porch, under the lure of seft
Il music, Jimihy sndd6nly" 'discoV6ret
5 that Mildred McAdams meant more
c to him than anyone else in the world
He tried to smile when the Other
two returned. Hastings. his face rath
er flushed. nodded absently to Jimmy
'Mlle is just as perfect a dancer a.
she ever was" he announced. TheI
4 he turned TO the girl. II hope that yol
e will give me good many more dance
tonight"
lltuIeu SIdllttu ut ,IliIlHN. NID va
$ glaring at her almost fiercely. Some
thing in his eyes made her catch he
breath sharply; and her heart sudden
ly threatened to run away from her.
=. you may have the third one aftc
i this" she said to Hastings, land afte
it that I'll think about it,
Jimmy claimed Mildred as his par
T. -
say much, but the girl imagined tina
= he held her just q little tighter tina
was necessary. When the dance wa
ii over he led her out into the farthes
j. recess of the porch.
did you have very much TO do wit
Hastings this summer" he aske
abruptly.
mot so very much. Why? Don
you like him?'
= "He seems like a pretty fair sort
:. chap" Jimmy answered honestly. Obi
] hate him just the same"
Of Mildred regarded him with startle
eyes.
ID 'Why, Jimmy" she said. 81 didD
think you'd act like this"
ne Cant / hate man if I want to-
Jimmy demanded. do you like hi
very much?"
Id "Yes; very much"
"Oh!"
,e. The bottom of the old world sudde
'ct ly fell out under Jimmys feet. NJ
dred's calm statement that she like
Hastings very much left him gaspir
for breath.
nd Lets go back" he suggested llf
lessly.
"Why?" she asked.
Tvs Because" Jimmy answered, "if "
like him very much, you must want
be with him. SO 1 can turn you ov
4. to him and beat it home"
'DO you want to, Jimmy"
There was certain usefulness
her voice.
"Don't you want me to?" he asked
NO" she whispered.
IN "But you said you liked him We
much"