Gilpin observer., 1920-08-26
An Unsuccessful
Bachelor
By cLARIssA MAckIE

10. 1920 by Mcclure Newspaper Syndicate.)
When Roger King returned to New
ton, Conn.,, after rOughing 1t for two
Tears on sheep ranch in Colorado,
lie found himself the victim of con-
iitiOn and theory. The condition,
hat of quite satisfactory bachelor
hood, WAS his. The theory, that until
converted into model and happy hus-
bands there was no place for them in
the world, was Newton's.
Poor Roger! AT the club, at the din
aer table, even when he sought refuge
IN the blue, blue waters of Long Island
sound, inexorable fate was always be-
side him in the form of some well
meaning young newfywed, saying:
"Jove, man! You don't know what
vou are missing Just look at us !"
And always the echo would follow,
But just wait until Peggy Jerome
comes home from Honolulu! !"
To say that Roger King became rest
i've after week of this is putting it
mildly. After two weeks he began to
show signs of positive i'll humor. And
when, on the first day of the third
week, he stopped in at the Tom Sted-
mans for friendly chat and Mrs.
Tom pulled out letter with Homo
zulu postmark, saying, II just must
read you this letter from Peggy to
he must he excused for saying under
his breath, Oh Peggy!'
That's what Newton did to Roger
King, by nature a most polite and we'll
hammered young man.
You tell me again what a bright,
beautiful, bound to make any man.
happy sort of girl Peggy Jerome is.
md I'll be Off for Colorado so fast that
you can't see me for the dust. Is 1t
crime for man to he single?" he
ragged when they protested.
"Yes!" answered Newton with one
accord.
"Well, won't be reformed by Homo
tulu Peg, anyway" he retorted rudely.
1t was the night of the Jennings
dance. Roger was looking forward to
a splendid time. He adored dancing,
and as he tied his tie with great care
In front of the looking glass he
hummed "Dardanella" gayly. He
climbed into his car and started off. at
perfect peace with the world. declar-
Ing that since he had stopped his
friends attempts at playing Cupid by
one "d-n" and two rude remarks.
Newton was the best town this side of
heaven and he'd fight any man who
said otherwise.
Mrs. Jennings met him. beamlng.
"Fm so glad you've come at last,
Roger" she said sweetly. I've been
telling someone all about you. and l
want you to meet her right away"
''If she can only dance, I'm her de-
voted slave for life" swore Roger; 81
don't care whether she can talk or
not"
Dance! Talk" exclaimed Mrs.
Jennings rapturously: "why. young
man, she is the most wonderful dancer.
the brightest conversationalist. the"
LEAD me to her." cried Roger. in
terrupting. whats her name?"
peggy Jerome!" announced his
hostess. "She's the prettiest-"
But Rogers back had disappeared
out of sight down the hall before she
had time to finish.
plague take it" he cried as he
made for the door that led into the
safety of the garden. He sank onto
stone bench and gazed iercely at the
moon, which smiled back at him be-
nignly. quite untouched by his i'll hui
NOR. Here he was. enjoying life and
thinking Newton an earthly paradise
when this Peggy creature had TO loom
onto the horizon again and spoil it all.
"Drat it all" he ragged; they
haven't even mentioned her for six
weeks I"
tempestuous. furious rush which
ended in the Sudden occupation of the
other end Of his bench made Roger
jump up in surprise.
"Oh. | beg your pardon" said mu-
sical voice, which somehow reminded
Roger of springtime in the woods when
the call of the birds mingles with
merry noise of overlooking brook. 81
came out in such a hurry | did not
notice anyone was here"
You see." she continued. after a
pause. leaning n little toward him.
there is a man In there that would
rather die than meet. | hate him.
Good! !" exclaimed Roger, full of his
grievance. II rather think we're kin
dred souls. There's n girl inside TINT
I just won't meet. even II II means
that I've got to go TO. Colorado to
escape her"
whats the matter with her?' asked
the girl. "Tll wager that for sheer un-
pleasantness she's not n patch on my
man"
"She's awful" groaned Roger. the
tortures of his first few weeks In New
ton sweeping over him. Point by