The Delta independent., 1917-02-09
DOING new YORK
BY LOUISE OLIVER.

his pocket ana looked out AT the snow.
the .irsr of the season. He had much
the same thought now that he had had
when the first yellow buds on the
naples In front of the house were
swelling in the spring. Why was II
that the seasons changed SO fast and
he was still not engaged to Martha?
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.
II think" he SAID. with shrug-
'thai need change. week or two
of New York will put new life into me.
The girls there have dash and style
that's diverting after diet of quiet
village maidens. Even Martha. pretty
as she is. has about as mach 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 IL funny" answered Martha.
when she heard the news. II was just
going to call you ana tell you the same
thing. I'm going to New York. too
Cousin Walters wife sent for me to
make them visit, and fm starting to
morrow Wouldn't ii be funny II I'd
see you rhere?"
Now this was Tommys 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 he so lucky. Every
minute will he full to the limit: busi-
ness must be attended to. you know.
But hope you have fine time, little
girl. and won't quite forget me while
you're doing society"
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
s so 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
al noon.
The day passed in some way. He
~ tho IN tho of
noon and the opera in the evening. But
la Eoheme" bored him and he left
before II was over. He picked a caha-
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 a soul
But Tommy was game He had come
to New York for u time. so n time he
would have IL he died In the attempt.
| The neNi day was new round of sol-
tary pleasures, varying little from the
FIRST and the next was almost like II.
Then one day as he was walking
along Fifth avenue two women came
out of a shop and were climbing into
limousine when one of them cried.
"Why there's Tommy Crawford Hello,
Toni"
And Tommy turned to see Martha
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 you7
I'm dying for a talk. rve heen having
such a glorious time riu crazy to tell
someone all about it,"
Tommy's lonely heart gave few
longing thumps. How he wanted to
accept. But he remembered his excuse
of urgent business. mo. thank you.
he drew out his watch. "lt's getting
late and have an appointment. But
ri ring you up and maybe you can
spare me minute again"
Cousin Mary mentioned night for
dinner. and after considerable reflec-
ton and deliberation Tommy muir
INJURED that she was very kind and he'd
certainly do his best to arrange to go.
II was almost n week ahead
And in the meantime it seemed that
Tommy was due to collide with Martha
and her friends everywhere he went.
and Tommy's heart had many jeal-
GUS pang when he saw the number of
men who paid her attention.
Then came the night of the dinner.
Tommy found the affair a state cere'
mony large enough to leave his alb
sence and Marthn's afterwnrd prac
tically unnoticed. They had slipped
into the conservatory.
you'll never giess how lonely Tve
.
meaning he thought the girl little
yueSSpu.