Gilpin observer., 1918-07-04
HIS sLITTLE FLING
BY JACK LAYTON.
Copyright. lsls. western Newspaper Unlon.

Richard had lived an uneveptful life.
Raised by two exacting aunts. meth
| cd had been the keynote Of his OK
istencs Marion. his sister, had
shared the same monotonOus but COM
Portable fate. Any custom but that Of
the little towns conformity was
frowned upon; therefore, Richard
passed duly and DULY through high
school. entered the Grovestown bank.
became chief clerk and continued pas
sively his daily routine.
Marion taught eventually In the
school and read at evening from books
approved by the two dominating old
ladies. Marion's life promised to
blend exactly into what theirs was to-
day.
The Grovestown schoolgirls Of his
day had grown up and greeted him
smilingly now upon the streets: there
his interest ended.
Perhaps 1t was the FIRST breath Of
spring that turned him to rebellion,
or perhaps the sentence Of 4 story
read the previous night.
zone must have his little fling" the
story had insisted. and Richard real
lied suddenly and Indignantly that he
had never had any "fiing" at all.
Everything had been arranged and
ordered for him.
"Going to spend my holiday week In
the city," he told the banker abrupt
ly and departed. BY long-distancs
phone he later notified his astounded
family.
do you suppose he has gone to
see the dentist?" Marion asked.
urgent and private banking busi-
ness, undoubtedly" declared the ell
der aunt.
But Richard had gone to "have his
little fling" His vision Of an untram-
meled good time was rather hazy.
There would be vaudeville shows Of
course, famous movies and meals at
the biggest hotels. He regretted hav-
ing no acquaintance in the city; en-
joying things alone was not satisfac-
tory. "If one knew a companionable
man or"-Richard actually blushed-
ian exceedingly attractive girl like
those of the stories"-and at this part
Of his meditation. an exceedingly at
tractive girl. seated herself at the op-
posite side of the hotel table.
May have the salt, please7 she
asked. and the ice was broken. It
seemed natural thing after that to
fall easily into conversation.
~The warl How terrible it was
The play at the Strand-had he seen
iti-so very good" etc.
Richards eyes spoke open admira-
ton Of the girls modish spring suit.
"Good-by." said the girl as she
clasped her white gloves, but Richard
arose with surprising temerity.
"Oh. please" he begged, couldn't
you take pity ON 4 lonely fellow and
60 over to the show with himr'
"Why," she objected. Il might be-
married"
but you are notr" Richard ques-
toned.
mo. 1 am not" the girl admitted.
She considered. II have an engage
ment for this evening: would tomOr-
row afternoon dor
He agreed with alacrity.
Daxedly Richard passed out Of the
glittering dining room. "How remark
able 1t had all BEEN" Never before
had he freely laughed and talked with
any young woman. There had always
been an uneasy desire for flight. Now
his one desire was to see again this
daringly lovely creature. II he might
only persuade her to accompany him
through various pleasure trips Of the
week to come. And the girl proved
easy to persuade. One might almost
imagine her as eager for companion
ship and free-hearted amusement as
himself. Twice she had permitted him
to call for her at the home where she
was a guest A home In a favored
residential district It was. but all that
Richard could learn of the girl was
her name. Faith Stanton. OF her own
home life she was -eticent.
Richard had introduced himself by
card. Miss Stanton did not further
present him to her hostess. But Of the
girls life or people Richard cared moth
ing. With the headlong impulsiveness
Of this his nrst adventure he had
fallen irrevocably In love.
Then. before he himself knew what
he was doing, Richard proposed.
The girls prompt and nat refusal
brought him quickly to earth. "You
do not know me at ALL" she sighed.
II am very different from what you
think" Nothing could move her from
her fearful determination.
The Grovetown home when he re-
turned seemed duller than ever. the
bank routine more dlstasteful.
Then. one day, familiar tone at
his window started his aching heart
to hammer. When he looked over his
mahogany railing into the face be-
meath he could only murmur, "You!"
The girl Of his adventure stood
Al...- n Il. l.