The L'Anse sentinel., 1919-11-21
PERK
BY ELIzAsErH DE soER
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| SSSeSeSeS@@@@
| Copyright, 1919 Mcclure Newspaper Syn
dicate-)
Three of the famous four sat In their
banner-hung den. Suddenly Ted
| Morse, captain Of the crew, rose, and
| dramatically pounding his tanned fist
upon the desk. said:
Look here. fellows, we've got to do
something about Perk"
SLIP Morgan punched the white 81
on a red pillow and threw II. at Bill
Milton, track champion. Slip was
shortstop on the baseball team.
"Come or of that. Morgan" the af-
flcted drawled. "What'll we do about
Perk?"
Ted took the floor.
'This is the way things stand. We're
graduating this year and I'm having
the famous four spend the summer
with me on Long Island. Wen have
a big time, hut look at Perk He'll
probably ship young library home
before he comes. That lads the bright
est man In college; but boys. he's miss
ing life" One hand was flourished
In the smoke-heavy air. "What girl
would give. row Of pins for man
who's always buried In books7 They
don't care II he graduates summa
cum laude, What they want to know
Is, IL he broke his ankle In football
or won a cup In tennis. And the
90 ft t. tha lyax UiCfn
deep emotion, "Perk is so very good
lookingw
"Yes," Slip flashed, "a months train
Ing would make him the biggest bug
on the team. But no. he prefers to
write books on electricity"
Three long groans!
Bill spoke next.
"Perk Is wonder, but Ted said It,
he's missed life. and it's up to us to
force 1t upon him. The question is.
how?"
Inspiration scared into the room and
Slips inevitable hand leaped to catch
It. The game is on.
Perk was leaning over Miss May.
When one is six feet two and ones
partner in FIVE feet. one naturally
leans over. A becoming pink had
swept his face and a painful express
sion. that of absolute resignation, hid
beneath 1t. Miss May spoke prettily.
"Oh. Mr.. Perkins. 1t must be won
derful to be famous in college"
Perk was afraid to contradict, but
denied fame bravely. Miss May was
determined.
"You mustn't try to deny It." she
shook pink forefinger at him, "for
Ted has told us all about you. and"
she looked sweetly up. personally. I
had much rather be famous In sports
than the brightest man In college.
just love baseball. and they say you
are so splendid.
Perk gaspedl This was Ted's worki
Ted's and the other two. They had
told all the young ladies present that
he was college-famed athlete, and.
try hard as he could to deny It all.
the girls had heaped him with admir-
Ing attention. Perk saw the object OF
his temporary hate grinning across the
dance hall and would have given his
summa cum laude to hit him.
That night words burned between
the famous four.
"Yes, they all believe It and they're
going to keep on believing It," Ted
quietly Informed his former roommate.
''It's just little lesson the college for
got, old man, and you owe your pres
ent popularity to u.s."
Thanks" said Perk bitterly, "espe-
cially In the case of Sally Byron" but
the boys laughed and Perk reddened-
resigned.
The next day Perk took Sally canoe
ing. Things had progressed. They
were already applying first names.
"what wonderfully steady stroke
you have, Perk," Sally complimented.
Il suppose you acquired that from
practicing in the crew."
" never" Perk began, but never
ended.
AS the day went on he suffered
more, but he learned. He took new
interest in sports and they suited him
so perfectly. His books were for
gotten, not too much, but enough. And
three Of the famous four wagged their
heads approvingly-then jubilantly-
for Perk had fallen in love.
A Sunday evening was being herald
ed by golden-purple sunset and
Perk had enticed-lt took very little
enticing-Sally to the shore. They
sat quietly, Sally's snail hand hidden
In the mans big one. With the last
lingering rays Of the setting sun, Perk'
turned to the girl beside him.
sally" he said quietly, studiedly.
II have something ] want to tell you.
haven't played fair-Tve He'd" The
girls eyes widened but she made no
reply. He went on:
'The boys tried to play little Joke
on me, but they carried II a bit far.
and didn't have the nerve to deny It.
They said was big athlete In coll
lege--and, well, I'm not-Pm nothing
In a girls opinion--in yours. / didn't
realize what It would mean to girl
like you and / went In for the biggest
things that interested me-books.
was all wrong, but It's too late. 4
don't suppose" he dropped her hand