The Lamar register., 1919-01-08
TED'S ORDEAL
BY LESTER BLOOM.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS Z; = I

emmy paused. Ted gave one appeal
Ing look and mounted the steps. There
was such a prompt response to his
ring that they almost seemed to have
been waiting for him.
Ted waited miserably in the recep-
tion room while the butler went to an
nounce his important business. He
rather envied little Silbon who was
getting OF light. What was simulat-
ing an epileptic fit in a crowded dry
goods store to trying to sell the most
luxurious liver in town a copy OF 1.-THE
Simple Life?'
The committee on initiation had
been most ingenious this year. The
tasks they allotted the candidates
were positively fendish, but to order
him to seek to sell copy of that book
to Chester Ackerman seemed to invite
him TO self-destruction.
Nervously he followed the butler
down the long hall and into the library.
Ackerman looked up at his entrance.
what can l do for you?" he asked
sharply.
Il have a book" explained Ted. ats
q very celebrated book and thought
you might like to buy a copy"
"A book agent" thundered Acker-
man as he reached for the bell.
"See here" pleaded Ted. "GIve Inc
a chance. Here is book that every
ones been talking about"
Don't want IT," snapped Ackerman
Have a look. anyway" insisted
Ted, Its The Simple LIFE the book
that the president thought was such
hot stun. I'll bet you've never read
II and yet It's been talked about for
the last two years. You never did
read 1t. did your"
"No. And I'm not going to now." de-
clared Alderman. "If thought you
meant that needed 10 read that"
"You do need to-" reiterated Ted.
mot the way you mean. but because u
man needs to keep posted. BY your
own admission, you're two years be-
hind. You can have laugh, any
way"
He held the book invitingly toward
his victim and almost unconsciously
Ackerman took It. He glanced over
the pages with an occasional gruat.
LAG WINS W uu tADOhtut vi
the simple life. and he found much to
derfde.
Didn't tell you It was good for a
Iaughf" insisted Ted. Ackerman look
ed up with a smile.
How much is itr he demanded.
''You can satisfy your pride with the
knowledge that you're the first book
agent that ever sold me anything"
"In that case make It dollar" sug-
gested Ted. Thanks. Good morning.
] can ind my own way out"
He was gone before Alderman could
ring. elsted over his success and de-
voutly thankful that he had not been
thrown out. He was Just opening the
front door when a girl came running
down the stairs.
Mr.. Hammondr' she cried. TED
turned.
Miss Druryr" he gasped. what
brings you herer'
Mr.. Alderman is my guardian" she
explained. 81 thought that perhaps"
She caught herself with blush.
'No," said Ted. "That was not Il.
You and your party left the Point so
suddenly that I could get no trace of
you. The fact is that l was in selling
Mr.. Ackerman a book"
you are a book agentr' 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. had to sell a copy Of
The Simple LIFE"
ITO Uncle Chesterf" she cried.
How did you ever do iti"
'I don't know myself" he admitted
frankly. "There are three Of the CON-
mittee outside now waiting to see me
thrown down the steps. i did not eI-
pect to disappoint them"
II could call the butler" she sug-
gested.
mo, thanks. II you will permit me
I'll take another chance with your
uncle"
"How." she asked curiously.
you know what was trying to ask
NSou last summer" he said boldly. "You
hft before could propose. was, and
an concealed enough to think that you
do care for me. May go In and ask
his consent to our marriage when I
Eraduater
riAs Ia 80 sudden" she protested.
MOT b bit of IT I've been seven