The Rock Island Argus and daily union. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1920-1923, 1921-08-29
CLOSING IN ON CLARENCE.
By Mama Lynch.
Copyright, 1921, by Wheeler Syn
dictate, Inc.)

By Mama Lynch.
| Copyright, 1921, by Wheeler Syn
| dictate, Inc.)
| Clarence was long, thin and pale
| pale skin, pale hair, and pale
blue eyes. mercifully protected by
tortoise shell glasses. His occupa-
ton was not pale; he was an ex-
pert meat cutter, which occupation
| he always brought forward as the
strongest support of his belief in
fate. For had he not, despite his
! training for office work in business
| college, followed by his army serv-
| ice in a clerical capacity, turned to
! meat-cutting, which he had taken
up to help exc out his college ex-
penses? What is to be, will be"
Selah
The other interest in Clarence's
life was his girl. He had met Jen-
ME in business college and had
been going with her" for seven
years. He would have served
seven more if Jennie had not mado
up their minds. They were to be
married and have done with shilly-
shallying.
Came Tuesday night AS they
stood in the hall, Jennie said, negi
gently like:
"Oh-ah, Clarence, mind if I go
out to lunch tomorrow? You see,"
she said, swiftly; Jimmy Smiths
he want someone to make up a
party of four, and I said I'd 60"
Ordinarily Clarence would not
have minded. If fellow had mon
ey to throw away on lunches all
right Let him. 1t was his funeral.
But tonight an odd timbre in Jen-
MES voice disturbed him.
What's the fellows name?" he
questioned.
Jean Rae" said Jennie, demure-
~. He went to school with Jimmy
and the Smiths want to make it
pleasant for him while he's here.
They asked Cert to make the fourth
yesterday, but Jean didn't take to
her, So" She paused
Clarence saw no good reason for
refusing to let her go. He knew
and liked Jimmy and his wife, Ber-
tina He had met them at the of
flee when he called for Jennie. So
he gave his consent, kissed Jennie
good night" and, going home,
promptly forgot all about the mat
ter.
Not until there arises an author
who can do full justice to the his
tory Of the working girl, will the
world know the truth about the
girls dressing room. It is the bust
ness girls sanctum sanctorum.
There she may retire singly or in
groups, to powder her nose, read
her own or somebody else's love
letters, and exchange condolences,
secure from mere male Interrupt
ton.
Here at SIS, a month after her
interview with Clarence re the mat
ter. Of lunching with Jean, we find
Jennie. She had occupied the dress
ing-room the most of the day. with
first one girl and then another.
Now it was Roses turn. Rose was
10 and romantic. That Jennie
should ask her for advicel 1t was
thrilling! Eyes wide, she listened
gpavely.
Said Jennie, the while she pow
dered her nose: Honestly. / don't
know what to do You see, I've al |
ways gone with Clearance and III
know he thinks lot of me, but. Oh. i
l don't know, Jean is SO. so-You
know" she finished helplessly.
Rose nodded wisely. She had mot |
the slightest idea what Jennie
meant but she did not intend to |
give herself away.
Jennie sighed. Rose asked SYM
pathetically:
How dies Clearance feel?
Awful. He raised Cain when I |
said / couldn't see him SUNDAY.
Asked me il Jean was coming ont
Then he told me he would give mel
until tomorrow night TO decide be-
tween him and Jean. He says IL
aust be one or the other. that &c |