Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1921-12-22
HAPPINESS
By BEATRICE /. cAHlLL.

&c. 1921. by Mcclure Newspaper syndicate.)
Its terriblel Simply awful" This
ejaculation from the e~xasperated Mrs.
Williamson as she waved her hands
around in mid-air.
Huh? What's wrong now?' grunt-
ed her husband as he slipped into his
dinner coat, giving the collar that little
unnecessary pat which always accom-
panies such a performance.
"Why, these hair nets" continued
his spouse as she finally untangled the
cobwebby substance between her fin
gers sufficiently to slip it over her mar
celled locks; -the quality, the color,
the size-they're all wrong!"
'The least of my worries, my dear.
Why pick an accomplishing husband
to inf1iet such a tale of woe upon? My
mind is occupied with troubles far
greater than a hair net. l tell you,
Nancy, if that big deal isn't pulled off
next month my chance Of getting the
managership of the company's largest
Office is all off"
Mrs. Williamson gave an under
standing nod. After a few moments
contemplation she turned to her hus-
band and said: Listen, George: MI.
Harkners is the one man who matters
in this deal, isn't hep
eyes"
SWELL, 1 earnestly believe that to-
night will afford you a big chance. Mr..
and Mrs. Harkners are going to be
present at the Hills dinner party. Do
you understand the significance, dear?
Now let's do our best. If you once get
a chance for an uninterrupted CONVEX
sation, it will be an easy matter"
Mr.. Williamson considered the mat
ter and smiled.
"Tm glad you told me that, Nan, be-
cause it will be a big asset. But you
know these dinner parties-not much
chance for a secluded conference"
"You wait. l just know that I can
arrange it." and, slipping a silken
scarf we her couture, the little wife
gave her husbands arm an encourag-
ing squeeze.
While driving through the mass Of
machines that thronged the avenue
at this time a second thought occurred
to her.
"Oh, George, l forgot to mention
that Bob Harkners Is taking Betty
to the theater this evening. He seems
quite interested in our pride and Joy
don't you think so?"
For answer she received q short,
dry laugh.
"That's a good one," chuckled the
amused George. "Bob Harkners ex
erts all his youthful ENERGY to fas'
cinate my daughter, while I'm about
to exert all my will power to interest
his dad. It's a great lifeW
At dinner fortune favored the cou'
pie by seating them near the coveted
prize. Conversation ran smoothly and
fortified by an excellent dinner and 8
little of the last stray of vintage, the
men were in good humor. However
Interruptions were bound to happen
and no chance occurred where they
could indulge in a business arrange
ment.
? Suddenly a strange thing happened
Mrs. Hill came into the room aftel
a short absence and the look on he
face halted all conversation. Spas
medically she announced that Veri
! had been sick all day and the docto
had Just pronounced her very Ill witt
a contagious disease. The house wa
quarantined for ten days.
d .
It. was the ninth day Of their cor
fnement and the guests were Assem-
q bled about the fireplace. Fortunately
none Of them had contracted the fats
G disease, and as they talked, realizin
that the next day they were to be re
leased, they laughed over their cd
and rather ridiculous positions. E'
cry day the phone had been constan
ly In use, either with business con
~munications, or with young daughter
and some calling long enough to teas
their parents with wild tales Of the
doings; although they really had flow
2, to relatives on the night Of the even
full mishap.
Mr.. and Mrs. Williamson SCENE
to be the happiest Of the group. ]
the preceding days the men had sic
ened Of social discourse and had talke
business most Of the time. Mr.. Har
ners became well acquainted with M
Williamson and the latter had take
advantage of his strange position
adroitIy sketch the details of his "b
deal" in a clever, concise way. T
never rushed the matter, knowing tn
he had 10 days to get what he WI
going after. That morning, in Il
presence Of the two wives, now gre
es friends, a short brief had been draw
I'D up by "Will" and signed by "Harh
as they affectionately termed each OF
oi er now.
The group was just finishing an Q
melody that had been popular in thu
: day when the phone rang.
y. It was Betty.
aOh. nother. I'm SO excited. a