Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1920-07-08

herself that Geraldine should prepare
the way for her by occasionally throw.
ing her upon her own resources, and
that she ought not waste any time in
so doing. They would have just one
cocktail, a nice little dinner. and, If
she wished, he would take her home
in a taxi. "Meet me at the Kicker
decker at quarter to seven," said he
confidently.
The very sensible little manicure
lady slowly raised her head and
smiled.
"MarriedT' she inquired.
"Oh, I see!" said John Henry eva
sively. "You think that hotel a little
conspicuous, and 1 don't know but
| you're right. Well make it the lobby
of the Uptown theater."
'This is very sudden" said Geral-
dine. "Why, l even don't know your
namew And she laughed outright.
"Tingletop," said John Henry. with
extraordinary a~stuteness.
"And suppose your wife were to
come along, Mr.. TingletopT ventured
| Geraldine timidly.
"Ah, suppose"
Suppose was a big word. If a good
time depended upon the disposal of all
and sundry suggestions to the con-
trary, there would be no such thing
as a good time at any time for any
body. There was no suppose" In
this matter. 1t was a clear case Of
making the best of a good opportunity.
He pressed a coin into her hand,
and, with an injunction "Be on time"
took his departure.
As the door closed behind him, Ger
aldine opened a little diary and turned
to January 10, 1912, added n stroke
of her pencil to six other and similar
strokes.
eff it isn't a Cocktail it's a din
ner,' and if it isn't a dinner it's a
ride in a taxi l don't understand it
at ALL" said she.
She dropped John Henry's coin int.
her pocketbook, and its jingling recer-
ton by other coins of similar denom4-
nation closed an everyday incident Of
her life.
John Henry, highly gratified$ at his
good fortune, prepared the way for a
pleasant evening.
Then, with thirty minutes at his dis
posal, he slowly meandered in the d.
rection of the theater, at, peace with
the world and himself, the typical,
monumental ass he was originally in
tended to portray, and the story,
therefore, comes to an end. But
At six-forty he came face to face
with his Rag and Bone" and the rest
of the sacrilege, who, with that nice
faculty for remembering anniversaries,
which is possessed by so many wives
having nothing to do but to keep the
house in order and the buttons on their
husbands underwear, had purchased
theater tickets for that very evening,
intending a pleasant surprise for her
lord and master.
For a moment the imbecile was
speeches. with amazement and morti.
fication; but, rising to the occasion,
he haughtily demanded an explana-
ton.
what under the sun brings you
downtown this time of day, Mary"
"Why, John dear, it's your birth
day."
swell, but"
swell, but what? l. asked you at
noon If you hadn't forgotten some
thing, and 1 knew from your answer
that you had. Now, l am going to
punish you. I want you to call up the
house and say we won't be home to
dinner, and you just take me to the
Kickordocker. Well have a nice little
dinner and a bottle of wine, and I'll
drink your health and wish yeu many
happy returns Of the day. After din
ner we'll 60 to the Uptown theater
/ hear it's a fine show, and l have the
tickets"
The little lady of the files and snip
pers was c%ontentedly fitting between
the pantry, the table, and the diminu'
tive gas-range, on which stood a poi
of boiling water. She smiled when she
heard a familiar step upon the land
ing, and laughed outright when the
door had been flung open and a some
what younger girl entered.
you're a little late, kiddie," sait
Geraldine. II was beginning to d.
some tall thinking"
"Never do any real tall thinking OF
my account" returned the other. "Tn
, all right. F~rankfurters for dinner?
T EYES," said Geraldine, suspendini
a string Of six of them over the boiling
! pot. "Do you notice how much eacl
/ one of these frankfurters resemble
' the others|
"Why, yes; why shouldn't they
| What a question"
n swell, married men are as muc
alike as these frankfurters. Lister
dear.
= Broadway and T~wenty-third stree
at seven Bing-for yours!"
She cut the connecting link Of tn
last sausage as it disappeared In til
boiling caldron.
" - Hr - 49,