The Beaver herald. [volume] (Beaver, O.T. [Okla.]) 1895-1923, 1919-12-25

sy LOUISE OLIVER.

iom tFHNIutu JiuStru tue 'Hnub' '"
his pocket and looked out NJ the snow.
the first Of the scnson. He had much
the same thought now that he had had
when rhe first yellow buds on the
NAPLES In front Of the house we're
swelling In the spring. Why wns II
that the seasons changed so fast and
he was still not engaged to Martha!
The whole thing amounted TO this:
Tommy was never sure that he wanted
Martha forever until some other fellow
came along and threatened to carry
out the program himself.
II think" he said. with shrug.
'thnt need change. 4 week or two
Of New York will put new life into me.
The girls there have n dash and style
that's diyerting after diet of quiet
village maideus. Even Martha. pretty
as she II. has about as much pep as
mix toast"
So he packed up. fixed things NJ the
office so he could leave. and called
Martha on the phone TO say "good-hy."
"ISn't II funny" answered Martha.
when she heard the news. ~ WAS just
going to call you aud tell you the same
thing. I'm going tn New York. too.
| Cousin Walters wife sent for me to
make them a visit. aud I'm starting to-
morrow. Wouldn't II be funny II I'd
see you thereY"
Now this wns Tommy's cue to say:
| "of course you will. II you give me
your address," But instead he an
swercd hastily: "Yes, wouldn't II; but
| rm afraid I won't he so lucky. Every
minute will he full to the limit: hnsi'
ness must he attended to. you know.
But hope you have fine time. little
girl. and won't quite forget me while
you're doing society"
And with his mind firmly fixed upon
the good time he intended to have with
Brlnton from Albany. whom he had
wired to meet him. he boarded the
$40 express and forgot all about
Martha.
But when he reached the hotel next
morning he found q telegram from
Brinton saying that he couldn't be
present at the festivities.
This was dnmpcr because he had
always counted on Brinton to steer
him around.
He tried Ia think OF what he and
Brinton had done In the mornings on
their last visit to Manhattan surely
they had done something to choke in
the time. Then he remembered. Why.
sleep, Of course. They never got to
bed until three or four, and they rose
nj noon
The day passed in some way. He
went 10 the Hippodrome in The after
noon and the opera In the evening. But
ia Bohcuc" bored him and he Ieft
before 1t was over. lie picked caba-
ret mt random. hut he did not enjoy II.
The people were all in two or fours.
He was the only one alone and lac
didn't know n soul.
But Tommy was game. He had come
Ia New York for time. So n time he
would have if he died In the attempt
The next day was n new round OF soli-
tnry pleasures, varying little from the
first. and the next WIS almost like H.
: Then one day as he was walking
| NiNnE fNlli tNfiNf NN' N'iA''h 'h"'
out OF shop and were climbing into Il
limousine when one OF them cried
"Why. there's Tommy Crawford. Hello
: Tom"
: Aud Tommy turned to see Martha
bcamlng on him delightedly and hold
ing out her hand.
Cousin Mary. | want you to meet
Tommy, Mr. Crawford. Come and gel
IN and drive home with us. won't you
I'm dying for talk. I've been having
= such glorious time TN crazy to tel
someone all about H."
Tommy's lonely heart gave n few
longing thumps How he wanted tI
accept. But he remembered his excuse
OF urgent business. "No, thank you,
! he drew out his watch. "It's getting
= late and have an appointment. Blu
! III ring you up and maybe you cnI
spare me minute again"
Cousin Mary mentioned night fol
dinner and after considerable reflec
ton and delIberatlon Tommy mur
+ INJURED that she was very kind and he,
certainly do his best to arrange TO 20
II was almost week ahead.
!, And Ia the meantime II seemed tina
y Tommy was due to collide with Marth,
and her friends everywhere he went
!, aud Tommy's heart had many a jeal
, Gus pang when ne saw the number o
men who paid her attention.
Then came the night of the dinner
Tommy found the affair a state cere
mony large enough to leave his ab
, sence aud Martha's afterward prac
!. tlcally unnotlced. They had sllppe'
into the conservatory.
a You'll never guess how lonely rv,
been, Martha" confessed Tommy will
, meaning he thought the girl llttl
!, guessed.