South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1918-10-18
Out of the Lap of
the Idle
BY LILLIAN HALPERIN.

The blazing blistering sun had sent
the mercury upward The pave
ments seemed like hot molten metal
with a jumbIed design Of horse
shoes wheel-tracks and human foot
prints Red. perspiring. bare-head-
ed men were driving hated. over
heated horses. All Chicago seemed
20 have collapsed into an inert slug
gish heap. Did we say all Chicago
Tn the Blue Fountain Room OF
the La Sale the thermometer re-
manned steadily at comfortable de
gree. The famous fountain was like
a cool. shaded veil The music
came softly, dellciOusly from some
secluded corner the lights were low
and soft and attentive walters pat
tered solicitously about men and
women who sought pleasure while
others worked.
Al "a table in the coolest and
prettiest spot OF the coolest and
prettiest place of pleasure. sat Amy
Russell. and opposite her. lolliug
comfortably. with "a redlled glass at
his elbow and cigar between his
long slender fingers. was Charles
Holz. society's idol.
Amy. II you persist ia gazing
repturously at the fountain. I'll have
the management remove it, I'm
Jealous. ] tell you-and a jealous
man stops at nothing" Charlie told
the girl
Don't be silly" Amy answered.
removing with difficulty her eyes
from the sparkling mist, and smH-
ing slowly.
Its not very complimentary TO
gentleman's self-csteem 20 have his
questions remain unanswered and
his wittiest remarks fall aat ! tell
YOU. Amy. I won't have it," ne COM
planned
The girl forced herself to center
her interest on him. and smiled her
sveetest-the way that he could
never withstand Charles Holz was
surely handsome. with the poise and
easy grace Of am aristocrat-and he
was wealthy, extremely wealthy
Girls OF her set were looking with
envy az Amy Russell
Well what was the last bit Of
wisdom that was LOST" she asked
archly. but with something of sar-
casm.
Il was just trying TO tell YOU one
OF the ripping. good jokes that
heard at the show yesterday after
noon
Yesterday afternoon, Charlie,
don't YOU ever put in good days
work %"
lie raised his glass and swallowed
its contents i'm "a single gulp. The
waiter reflled it unob-
trusively.
What's the use OF filling the soil
when there's plenty Of soil in the
till? Besides working is such "a
bore. 10 roughens ones hands" he
laughed. resuming his cigar.
Amy's great eyes lowered to the
level Of the mans hands. then with
"a slight curl of her lip, she turned
them away.
"A man" she said. can able
bodied man. scorns charity
The man WINGED.
But it's father" he cried. You
surely wouldn't call that charity"
Her cool gaze met his.
Your father is merely following
out the saying that charity begins
Il home" she answered.
You charming. little preacher.
If YOU don't quit this moment. I'm
going to cut short your sermon by
kissing il from your lovely lips he
said playfully. ION the level, Amy
1 don't know the how or the what
about work"
A man I'm officers uniform with a
little. old lady i'm stiff. black silk on
his arm passed their table and they
seated themselves at the one oppo-
site Tie waved off the polite wait
err who offered TO assist the woman.
and he, himself gently, very gently.
i'm che wonderful way that good.
strong men have for the weak help
ed her with her wraps and chair.
4 sudden flush dyed Amy's face
and neck. as she said 10 her COM
uanion: There's your answer.
As Amy Russell and Charles Holz
rose to go. the soldier raised his
head and his eyes met those OF the
girl. He flushed a little under his
tan. and the girl stopped short. She
recognized in him her sewing-wom-
ans brother whom she had barely
favored with a glance. He knew
her as the beautiful and proud So
ciety girl.
Impulsively. she extended her
slender white hand and he rose.
Vow it was her turn TO flush. Her
hand felt so little and useless and
uitgful In his strong. great one.
Mr. DENLY. I believe o" Amy ask
ed.
yes. Miss Russell and Mrs. Den
by. my mother" ne answered with
tender pride.
Amy smiled and murmured her
erecting 20 the little mother OF the
Great boy then turned 20 introduce
her escort. For the first time in her
life she felt a sense OF shame IN
presenting Mr.. Charles Holz. the
the aristocrat the idol
u society, He looked SO weak. so
aTemlnate. so foppish before this
great. stalwart soldier.
When she found herself on the
Sidewalk being handed into the linn