Rockingham post-dispatch. [volume] (Rockingham, N.C.) 1917-1965, 1921-09-15
THING THAT COUNTS
By MARGARET RAND.


and Ia darkened rooms the guest
dozed and rested after the mid
day meal Out In the hammock un
der the trees, MIlly pretended to read
/ but her moody gaze was fastened OF
the distant mountains.
Presently. voices and laughter drift
ed across the air and Alta came 0ui
on the piazza, surrounded BY practi
caliy all the male contingent Of the
hotel. They paused as they passed
the hammock and Harold called
Come on, Milly, we're going over to
the RDbber's Cave.
''Oh, yes, do come" gushed ALTA.
Come and help me take care Of all
these boys"
Thank you," answered Milly.
cooIly, but prefer my hammock to-
day."
As the rest moved on Harold lin
gered q moment. Don't see why, You
will never go anywhere with Alta"
he expostulated. "She's an awfully
Jolly girl"
That is hardly the way she Inn
presses me-" replied Milly, "but as a
movie vamp she is perfect"
"Well," faltered Harold, II promised
to go. and I've got Alita's sunshade.
Ill have to hurry. GOod-by, Milly."
From corner of the piazza Mr.. BOr-
den, proprietor Of the hotel, and his
wife, watched this little scene with
indignation.
THAT young gooGfor-nothingi Mr..
Borden stormed. Waiting on Milly
hand and foot until this movie queen
appeared, and then, running after her
like all the rest of them. Thought he
had some sense"
TT makes it rather dull for Milly,"
said his wife regretfully.
I've got an idea,' said the old man,
slowly. There must be some young
college fellow who would be glad Of a
vacation free and chance to devote
himself TO pretty girl"
A few days later Stanley Hall ar
rived, and after long conference
with Mr.. Borden was installed as one
Of his CHESTS. He was clean-cut.
lSathletic young man, a fine dancer and
| delightful companion, and Alta was
filed with amazement and envy, as he
| ignored her charms and devoted him
self to MIIly.
Late that evening Stanley had left
Milly in secluded corner Of the
piazza and gone In search of her wrap.
Presently from an open window came
/ the l0w-toned conversation Of Alta
and Harold.
OF course I'm not certain" said ALI
1 ia, "but 1t struck me as queer from
! the first that MIR. Hall couldn't see
anyone but Mily osborne. And now
this letter from I;ib says one Of the
! professors asked him If he would like
to go to a hotel and devote himself to
q young lady.
They moved away from the wins
dow and Miily fed to her room.
| Tired out, she at length flung her.
self upon the bed and slept in utter
exhaustion. Toward noon she aweke-
Stanley was loung;ng restlessly about
The spiazza when at length she made
her appearance.
Il was afraid you were I'LL" he said
with relief. "You disappeared last eve
ming and no one knew why"
Il owe you an apology for that"
she sid;
"AIilly," he said. you are adorable. !"
Surely, that speech is not a part,
of your bargain, she answered.
MY bargain he repeated in a pJ,z.
zIed tone. - %4+s-sst, -:
yes" she replied cuttingly. ..Did
/, you not bargain with my wee to res
cue his Whatsoever and provide her
with entertainment
A dull red flushed the mans face
and neck.
Its true, isn't it?" she persisted.
YES" he answered quietly. "Buti
what difference does that lnake?'
'Difference!s she cried, choking.
Ihis That am ashamed to look any
zone in the face again. / could die
with the shame and humiliation Of i'll
ALI"
Don't, Milly," said the baan in q!
hurt tone
1T Is true, isn't it," she demanded.
Yes, it Is true, he answered gently
Il was told there was q little girl uni
here who through no fault Of her owni
was having rather stupid time. andI
an affecti0ate old uncle asked me toj
help him swing things her way little
that's all. He offered certain pav.l
ment for my time. but for the resi-
that have given you he cannot recon-
pense me- Only YOU can do that.l
Milly."
what Is, oven ne j.. II
] , :, !
has not b .aid forT, Dhel
mareal