The Tomahawk., 1919-11-20
A Steam Shovelier
By R. RAY BAKER
Copyright, 1919. by the Mcclure News
paper Syndicate)

paper Synolc0teJ
"There is no accounting for the
tastes of some women when it comes
to men," GlenQuist observed, flicking
the ashes from his cigar. "Alaybe it's
their intuition" he added, drawing his
lungs full Of smoke and exhaling
through his nose.
The lawyer appeared more than usu-
ally loquacious this evening. He had
reputation for being rather taciturn
when he was not In court, but with me
he always threw off the cloak Of re-
serve and chatted freely.
During our after-dinner chats, which
always took place In his office on the
seventh floor Of the Boltwood build
ing, we had decided the fate Of bol-
shevism, solved the problem Of n. q.
L., settled the railroad ownership is-
sue and thoroughly threshed out the
osophy, spiritualism and new thought.
Yes. we were congenial souls, were
Glenquist and I.
As yet we had never discussed the
most pcrplexing problem Of the ages
love. Maybe it was because we
were both confirmed bachelors and did
not feel in a position to talk authori-
tatively on the question. However. the
marriage Of mutual friend had
brought the matter before us this eve
ming, and casually had inquired
why Glenquist had never selected 4
lifelong companion.
"Suppose you tell your story" he
suggested when T broached the sub
ject. "Then I'll burden you with
minc."
"Ill burden you with no story"
replied. "There's no story to 1t. I
just naturally didn't take to the fnfr
sex, or rather they didn't take to me.
I guess it was mutual. Have you a
story?"
For a moment he did not reply, and
when he broke the silence 1t was to ut
ter the words that opened this tale.
Furthermore" he went on, ut Is
strange that brains do not appear to
be considered much of an asset to n
man when he asks a woman to become
his wife. At least that is the case
with some women. and very good,
bright and capable women, too. I
mean. Perhaps, as say, It is their
intuition, or their ability to see far
ahead.
"Ip my case, perhaps. I deluded my
self into thinking I had brains. Maybe
l mistook my education for gray mat
ter. Yes, there Is difference. A man
may be fairly we'll educated and still
lack IN adequate amount Of brains.
On the other hand. without being con-
ceited. it seems that I may claim to
having at least a normal supply OF
thinking machinery. am what you
would call q successful criminal law
yer.
II was terribly fond Of Cassie Well
don six years ago. This was my home
town, and also hers. We were class
mates in high school, and when we
were graduated went to the univer-
sity and she became typist in Il real
estate office. During Otr last year in
high school we had become very close
" associated in social work and be-
fore we realized 1t were keeping
steady company.
"When 1 was at college we CORE
sponded regularly, and 1t seemed to
me that she cared almost as much for
| me US I for her. ! pictured her pre-
siding in nice little home when got
started on the road to success in my
chosen profession, and although I did
IN fn1f
vinced she would see 1t that way.
Perhaps I was somewhat egOtisticaI.
but really do not believe 1t was that.
To be sure, I was proud Of the show
ing was making in my studies and
very hopeful 1f the future.
"Whenever I cane home she pro-
fessed to be happy over being with
me, and really believe she was. Our
favorite pastime was walks in the
woods with q camera, and must con-
fess that. deep down in trunk, still
have a number Of those snaps. Just
for fun, think I'll dig down and take
squint at them tomorrow.
"Things went on like this for some
time, and I am sure that she did not
keep company with any other partfc-
ular fellow, although she occasionally
went to dances and other entertain
ments with some male acquaintance
who happened along and needed a
partner for some special social event.
This was only to be expected, seeing
that we were not engaged and It not
being natural for a young girl to stay
at home and spend her evenings read
ing Robinson Crusoe' and Red Riding
Hood
'It finally dawned on me that I had
better get busy. I was in the fourth
year Of my law course. but Cassie was
growing more attractive each day, and
as was not home to look after my
interests II behooved me to get an op-
| ton on her hand.
II had spent that summer working
/ In an attorneys office in Clarksburg,
and 50 had not seen Cassie any more
| durip0 vn cafion than during the school