The Winslow mail., 1920-03-26
Sentiment and
Business
@D
BY JACK LAWTON

!
| Copyright, 1919 by Western Newspaper Union.)
Gerald Gordon was 'heart-breaker."
| That is what his own familiar friends
good naturedly dubbed him.
mo use for us to try to step in,
Gerry" they would say, 'the girls can't
see anyone else when. you're around"
And silently Gerald accepted the
statement; why attempt to deny what
was patiently true?
'Ill be hanged if / can see what
makes you irresistible to the feminine
eye" Tom cheerfully remarked.
"It may be the feminine mind to
which 1 appeal" Gerry modestly sug-
gested. II sure have way with the
wimmin"
"In Gainesville you'll be overwhelm-
ing" Tom said mournfully. 81 won
der why I brought you out, just when
I'm having budding affair of my
own? Heretofore we native males
had things pretty much our own way,
but after my college acquaintance with
you, can see that things are going to
happen to u.s.
LEAD me on" Gerald boastfully in
vited, and Tom did.
The first pretty girl to whom the
| visitor was presented was Toms cous-
| In. In the course of events Toms own
sweetheart followed, and after that
several choice charmers of village soci-
ETY.. Easily and indifferently Gerald
conquered everything. The girls seemed
| but to await his invitations, refusing
attentions of former cavaliers in the
fear that they might not be free to ac-
| cept those of the dashing stranger.
"What the deuce do you talk about
| to keep a girl entertained for hours at
stretch?" Tom peevishly questioned.
"It isn't my talk" Gerald pleasantly
explained, "they like the way l do
my hair"
| But the conQueror's own interest ap-
peared to be aroused for the first time,
as an auto, driven by charming girl,
| rolled past the veranda where the two
| friends sat.
"Who," asked Gerald eagerly, ais
| that lovely girl? 1 have met her sew
eral times OH the street She's win
ner, and she doesn't seem to mix
with any Of you"
Fright, as usual" Tom agreed, "and
the answer Is that she won't mix
Prefers to tear around the country in
her splendid car, stops at the hotel
with severe old aunt, and turns down
all invites the girls give her. Comes
from a fine family in the city, too
they have mutual friends here.
"Judge Bakers wife introduced me
q hit.
'I'm going to meet her right now,"
| Gerald declared.
Tom studied the young man in white
| fannels before him.
you'll be the lucky guy, of course"
he said ruefully. And so it afterward
appeared.
marked bitterly, and there was specu-
| lation as to the ending of the affair.
Every afternoon Miss Standish, from
the city, awaited at the hotel door the
appearance Of Gerald Gordon. Then to-
gether they would whirl away in her
| soft-rolling car.
In the enjoyment of the game Ger
aid had been conscienceless-and had
not realized a serious side. Now Tom
rallied at his friends fits of moody alb
straction.
"Why mope?" he asked gayly, sis
not the fair lady already won? Else
why these daily trips along the river
road, the long rides up steep country
hills?"
''The rides" Gerry replied, "are all
right. But why won't Ruth Standish
let me visit her at the hotel-or come
with me to some Of your confounded
dances, or"
"The aunt" Tom suggested, "may
object"
Gerald's gloomy face frightened.
eff you love the girl" Tom burst
out, "why don't you tell her so?"
II WILL" Gerald suddenly decided,
and crossed the street to where his
ideal sat on the hotel veranda.
Resolutely the conqueror of feminine
hearts approached ana dropped into
a chair at the girls side.
"I have something to tell you," Ger
aid began, "and I'm going to say il
now while I have the chance In a
minute that old-your aunt-will be
here, and while we are driving you
deliberately avoid giving me an oppor-
tunity
II love you, Ruth Standish; no man
ever loved woman more; and I want
you to be my wife"
Flushing, the girl sprang to her
feet.
HMr Cordo, ~ cba roynopctroto6