The Morgan City daily review. (Morgan City, La.) 1916-1920, 1917-09-01
THING THAT COUNTS
By EARL REED SILVERS.

Mildred looked up at MIN Win Edtu'
er wistful eyes. They were rather
pretty eyes. too. as Jimmy had more
than once noticed and hidden In theiI
depths was q light which, II Jimmy
had been a little wiser. would have
told him something which would have
made his heart miss 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
lse Of womanhood, she wondered II
Jimmy's interest would ever be other
than nelghborly. 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 a smile Of joyful recognition over
spread his features. When Jimmy re-
turned from parking the car he found
Mildred in animated conversation with
a good-looking young man who was
evidently stranger in Bridgetown.
ooh, jimmy she exclaimed, hap
PLY. 'This is John Hastings, whom l
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.
I'm mighty pleased to meet you.
he announced in q voice which seemed
perfectly sincere. Mildred has told
me about your good times last sum-
mer"
"Oh. 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 Millie?
From within the club the orchestra
struck up onestep and Tasting turn
ed to Mildred.
MAY have the pleasureY he ask.
ed.
Mildred, with q glance at Jimmy's
Unexpectedly frowning face. dimpled
mischievOusly.
I'D be delighted" she answered.
When they returned from the dance.
they found Jimmy standing where
they had left him. During the Ave
minutes in which Mildred had danced
with Hastings, Jimmy's heart had re-
vealed itself. Waiting In the shadows
Of the porch. under the lure Of soft
music. Jimmy suddenly discovered
that Mildred McAdams meant more
to him than anyone else in the world.
He tried to smile when the other
two returned. Hastings, his face rath-
err flushed, nodded absently to Jimmy.
"Mlllie Is just as perfect dancer as
she ever was" he announced. Then
he turned to the girl. Il hope that you
will give me good many more dances
tonight"
Mildred glanced at Jimmy, who was
glaring at her almost f1ercely. Some
thing in his eyes made her catch her
breath sharply; and her heart sudden
ly threatened to run away from her.
"You may have the third one after
this" she said to Hastings, sand after
that TIL think about it,"
Jimmy claimed Mildred as his part
ner for the second dance. He didn't
say much, but the girl imagined that
he held her just little tighter than
was necessary. When the dance was
over he led her out into the farthest
recess Of the porch.
did you have very much to do with
Hastings this SUMNER he asked
abruptly.
"Not 50 very much. why1 Don't
you like himY'
HE seems like . pretty fair sort Of
chap" Jimmy answered honestly. But
I hate him Just the same"
Mildred regarded him with staftled
eyes.
"Why, Jimmy" she said. r didn't
think you'd act like this"
Cant hate q man II want tor
Jimmy demanded. do you Ike him
very muchl"
"Yes: very much"
"Ohi"
The bottom OF the old world sudden
~ fell out under Jimrny's feet. MIL
dred's calm statement that she liked
Hastings very much left him gasping
for breath.
"Let's go back" he suggested life
lesslv.
"N'hy?" she asked.
Because" Jimmy answered, III you
Ike him very much, you must want to
be with him. So can turn you over
to him and beat 1t home"
"Do you want to, Jimmy?'
There was certain usefulness In
her voice.
"Don't you want me tor he asked.
mo" she whispered.
"But you said you liked him very
much"
Maybe I Just did 1t to make you
iaalons" she suggested Then twin.