The Ocala evening star. [volume] (Ocala, Fla.) 1895-1943, 1918-12-11
''WANTED"
BY MARIAN T. CARTER.

Say, Jack, that is a cracker lack
idea" exclaimed Tom Stevens, as his
chum finished explaining his plan to
bring Beth Butterfield, Toms sweet
heart, to terms. 'rIl bet if she saw
such an advertisement she'd answer it,
just for the mischief of doing some
thing odd"
The next day there appeared in the
Siconset Summer News columns the
following:
"Wanted-A young gentleman with
a good reputation would like to CORE
spond with young lady in the sum-
mer colony. T &c."
A few days later in Toms morning
mail was large envelope from the
newspaper Office enclosing three let
tiers in answer to his advertisement.
The first two he opened were very I'M
interesting and from girls he did not
know, but the last one was the one
he wanted. Beth had written!
It was a very formal little note, ex-
actly like Beth, but it gave Tom the
opening he desired. Tom answered it
and few days later another letter ar
rived. This was surely immense fun
on Toms part, for since his proposal
Beth Butterfeld had treated him very
coolly and now, although unknown to
herself, she was corresponding with
him.
She had said when she refused to be-
come engaged to Tom that she wanted
"to have good time and not be tied
to any one man!' Well, she surely
seemed to be having a good time from
what Tom could make out. Dances,
tennis, canoeing, swimming, and all the
other thugs that go with good time
at the beach.
After their correspondence had gone
on about two months Tom decided it
was time to take definite steps, so In
his next letter he asked if he could call
and meet the young lady who had given
him SO much pleasure through the sum-
mer. One week passed and then an
other, and Tom decided to write again.
The next morning he found a short
note, saying that meeting would be
impossible, for she expected to leave
very shortly.
But fortune always favors q true
lover. There was to be dance at the
Casino that very evening, and Tom
knew that Beth intended to go. Yes,
he would go, too, and see if things
could not be Strengthened out that
very night.
When evening came Tom dressed
for the dance and also slipped into his
pocket two of the letters Beth had
written, including the last one. The
dancers were all busy filling out their
dance cards when Tom got there, so
he Immediately began to fill his own
out. AS he approached Beth she
dauHted, pretended not to notice her
movement and politely asked for her
card. He took several of her dances,
including the first. those at intermis-
sion, and the last. Poor Beth, what
could she do? Everyone was watch
ing her, anyway; for they knew that
she had refused Tom once before.
When he returned her card she bowed
slightly but said nothing.
At intermission Tom managed to
get Beth out into the conservatory,
and then asked her again If she would
marry him.
II think you rather ought to, since
you have been corresponding with me
nearly all summer" said Tom.
"I have not % exclaimed Beth, and
stamped her foot; but because she
remembered that she had correspond
ed with an unknown young man she
flushed guiltily.
Eyes, dear, you have; seer" And
Tom held out the letters he had in his
pocket.
ooh, how did you get those letters?
with lonely fellow who knew no one
here. Tom Stevens, you are the
meanest, meanest boy-!" And she
broke down and cried.
This was too much for Tom. He
took Beth in his arms and kissed the
little wet cheeks, murmuring:
dearest, didn't mean to hurt your
feelings, but I was determined to make
you love me. l couldn't live without
you, DEAR Can't you say you love me
now, Beth, sweetheart"
Eyes, Tom," whispered Beth. I've
had all the good times l want, and
want you now, all the time, Tom
dear"
Toms voice was husky when he
next spoke. "My own little girl, and
he bent and humbly kissed the upturn-
ed lips.
After the dance they walked home
through the quiet streets happily
planning their future.
copyright, 1918, by the Mcclure Newspa-