South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1919-07-15


dying OF curiosity 10 find out about
her romance as they call IT, And
the men sat up and took notice, too.
You know how Allen Maddox al.
ways begins to pay attention TO a
girl the minute he hears she's en-
gagged? He never seemed 10 see Sis
before. but last night he was all at
Itention."
I'm sure 1 don't know why he
was always so Indifferent to the girls
here. People who come here from
other places say they never saw
nicer girls than her in Elmsdale."
bridled their mother.
THAT may be true, but Louise
never seems 70 notice that the men
exist, so naturally they return the
compliment. Besides, Allen Mad
dox probably thinks he is a privi-
legged character, because he is the
most eligible man in town and has
been sought after accordingly"
He always feels perfectly safe in
being nice TO a girl-after she's en-
gagged 10 another man." laughed
Louise, who entered the room at
this moment in time TO hear the
last of Avis remark.
1T seems TO work out that way in
your case" retorted Avis. Il heard
him tell you he was going to take
care of you while your 'soldier-boy'
was away"
AS is proved. Maddoxs care-tak-
ing consisted of flowers. candy. calls
and frequent rides in his new auto
mobile. After a couple OF months
Of this, Avis mischievously decided
tc add fuel to the flame OF this
duasi-platonic friendship.
She was sitting on the porch one
evening when Maddox called. and
while waiting for Louise to come
down, managed to let drop the hint
that Louise's lover was 10 be given
a furlough soon, and wac coming to
pay her visit.
Louise. not knowing the intention
in this prank of her impish young
sister. wondered at Maddox's strange
mood when they started away in the
car. Instead of his usual careful
driving he drove with reckless
abandon, and the gay camaraderie
that had always chara cterized him.
had given place to cynical morose-
ness. At last, in response to her
good natured raillery, he broke out:
Hang il all, Louise. I thought
was an old hand at the game, but
I'm hard hit this time I'll admit
I'm jealous as the mischief of this
mysterious lover OF yours Perhaps
IF you'd tell me about him, and I
thought he was worthy of, you.
wouldn't feel so cut up
On LOuise's face was the inscrut-
able Mona Lisa smile"
You've known me a good many
years. and never seemed TO care a
rap-until YOU thought I was out OF
Your reach"
II know tim willing TO admit
I've been as blind as a bat l never
really appreciated YOU before. until
the other man discovered you"
Il have never said there was any
ether man." interrupted Louise
quietly
Not any other" ne stammered.
Why, everyone said"
Everyone is not l." she laughed.
II all began as a Joke in the family.
because there was something a little
different and mysterious in my man
ner when 1 came home from Bias
field: and somehow il got rumored
about that l was engaged"
She paused a moment, then went
on pluckily: I guess I ought 10 &C
knowledge that let them think so
For TO paraphrase the text. 'Tc him
that hath shall be given, I've always
noticed that tiff a girl had a lover
Others followed like sheep after a
bellwether The girl might not be
any more attractive than she ever
hut they seemed 10 think she was.
SO you see l had method in my mad
ness"
That night at the dance il was re-
marked that Allen Maddox seemed
greatly smitten with Louise Farrell.
enc when next they saw her she
wore on her third finger a flashing
diamond-whieh was not the gift Of
| her soldier lover"