Evening star., 1918-06-16

pie and things, and came of some
times the better, sometimes the worse,
but always and forever the more
knowing.
In the midst of John PauTs educa-
tional heyday. the most of his moth
er's trusteed money was lost, and John
Paul came scurrying home to comfort
ana to earn. But Mrs. Paul was a
stanch woman. II don't mind" she
said; II have kept big house for
you and me l have always hated it..
I've enough money left to keep me in
Europe, and enough friends in Europe
to keep me amused. The unpleasant
part of it is that I can't give you an
allowance commensurate with your
way of living, or your station in life
IN fact," here Mrs. Paul smiled drolly,
Il don't think can give you any al
lowance at ALL"
John Paul burst out laughing, and
then he put his arm around his moth
IF you can be such a good sport"
he said. Tive got to be. Pm not ready
to make living yet. But will"
SO Mrs. Paul sailed away for a year
and a day, and John Paul got him
JOB In a publishers office at IS week.
Sometimes, however, Mrs. Paul sent
cret.
John PauFs employer was a man
VINO could never trust anybody to do
anything. There was consequently
among his employees none of that
sense Of responsibility which schools
man to do a little better than he
knows how. AS far as work went
John Paurs position was a sinecure:
but in regard to progress and devel-
opment tragedy.
o,.,p John Paul belonged to a country
mothers fortunes he had forgotten to
resign. 1t got to be May in the pub
fishing house, and our hero had a
sickness upon him for blue water
and green lawns. He had in his
POCKET SIS which funny paper had
given him in exchange for verses. If
ne waited till pay day he would have
$50. But it was high May, and no
season for waiting. He took his well
worn derby, very sweaty as to the
sweatoand, from its iron hook, and,
without a word to anybody. marched
OUT OF that ofhce forever. In later
with his former employer-and no the
world goes.
At the Country Club John Paul
found friends, borrowed fanneIs and
made one Of four at tennis. It was
$40 on each set.
What you like" said John Paul.
aloud. To himself he said, 'If we lose
ankle" my
But he and his partner won that set
"a very close one), and the next and
the next, and when John Paul went
up to shower and change he was
worth $40. and the world seemed to
him an encouraging and kindly place.
That night he risked his little an in
poker game. and won a hundred nd
ninety-odd dollars. And Thereafter
tor Two years ut was very hard for
MN TO sell stories at hrst) he sum
ported himself by betting and PLAYING
games OF chance and skill.
Then curious thing happened. He
fell passionately and despairinely in
love. and his luck left him. But his
stories were beginning to sell (enoueh
to support life) and he withdrew
gradually and forever from the green
baize and the betting ring. And was
neither better, think, for his expe-
riences-nor worse; only a little more
knowing.
Until she said that she would marry
him. John Paul lived in an extraordi-
nary chaos of elation and despond-
ency. During despondency he wrote
gloomy. cynical. childish tales that
nobody would buy; but in elation he
made elated, plotless love stories that
found a ready market. His young
people were always SO sincerely and
ecstatically in love with each other,