Perth Amboy evening news., 1918-11-11
him to self es,ruction.

him to self-destruction.
Eervously he followed the brtler
down the long hall and into the library.
Alderman looked up ut his entrancs.
what can I do for youf" he asked
sharply.
Il have e book" explained Ted. ITS
a very celebrated book and I thought
you might like to buy a copy"
"a book agentf" thundercd Acker-
man as he reached for the bell.
"See here" pleaded Ted. "Give me
a chance. Here Is a book that every
ones been talking about"
Don't want It," snapped Alderman.
"Have a look. anyway" insisted
Ted. "It's The Simple Life ! the book
that the president thought was such
hot stun. I'll bet you've never read
1t md yet It's been talked about for
the last two years. You eve did
read II. did youT"
"No. And I'm not going to now" de-
elared Alderman. "Tf I thought you
meant that I needed to read that"
"You do need to-" reiterated Ted.
"Sot the way you mean. but because q
man needs to keep posted. By your
own admission. you're two years be-
hind. You can have a laugh, any
way"
! He held the book in~vitingly toward
his victim and almost unconsciously
! Alderman took Ii. He glanced owe
the pages with IN occasional grunt.
He was by no means an exponent of
the simple life. and he found much to
derfde.
Didn't 1 tell you 1t was good for a
laughY' insisted Ted. Alderman look
ed up with a smile.
"How much is ftp he demanded.
"You can satisfy your pride with the
knowledge that you're the first book
agent hat ever sold me anything"
'In that case make It a dollar" sug-
gested Ted. "Thanks. Good morning.
I can find my own way out"
He was gone before Alderman could
ring, elated over HIS success and de-
voutly thankful that he had not been
thrown out. He was Just opening the
front door when n girl came running
down the stairs.
"Mr. HammondT' she cried. Tea
turned.
Miss Druryl" he gasped. "What
brings you heref"
"Mr. Alderman Is my guardian" she
explained. II thought that perhaps"
She caught herself with a blush.
mo" said Ted. THAT was not It.
You and your party left the Point 81
suddenly that I could get no trace Of
you. The fact is that I was In selling
Mr.. Alderman a book"
you are a book agent7" she cried
IN shocked surprise.
Amateur" he explained. "They
want to make me feel properly humble
before they admit me to fellowship In
the fraternity. 1 had to sell a copy of
The Simple Life"
ITO Uncle Chesterf" she cried.
"How did you ever do I'll"
81 don't know myself" he admitted
frankly. 'There are three Of the COM
mittee outside now waiting to see me
thrown down the steps. I did not ex-
pect to disappoint them"
~ could call the butler" she sug-
gested.
"No, thanks. If you win permit me
I'll take another chance with your
uncle"
"How," she asked curiously.
"You know what I was trying to ask
you last summer" he said boldly. you
left before I could propose. I was, and
am. conccited enough to think that you
do care for me. May I 20 In and ask
his consent to our marriage when I
grudunfef"
This Is SO sudden" she protested.
mot a bit Of II. I've been
months getting It out. I think you've
had notice enough"
His eyes pleaded more eloquertly
than his tongue, md b~lushingly she hid
her fnee on his shoulder rs she whis-
pered "yes."
For a second time that morning
Chester Alderman was shocked out Of
his accustomed placidity. and for q
second time Ted won. This time his
pleading was far more eloquent. He
could not so nway at once but at last
he said good-by.
: In the shadow of the trees three
huddled figures with chattering teeth
greeted him.
J "Sorry TO keep you waiting" said
Ted politely. 'Here's a dollar I got
for the book"
'sTell US about It," commanded the
committee. "Whnt detained your"
@That's quite another story" ex-
planned Ted. But I'm really very
much obliged to you for your amiable
efforts to provide me with sudden
death. I am indeed"
Copyright. 1918. BY the Mcclure Newspa-
; per Syndicate)