The weekly Iberian. (New Iberia, La.) 1894-1946, 1921-11-12
The Two
Henrys
BY FREDERICK HART.
1S>SSSz<.
y. Iy2I. by McCIure Newara rnr S..ndicat

IL was Henry Bottoms habit, when
released from his office by the stroke
OF haitpast twelve, to 20 to The
aquarium III Battery park and watch
the seals and SEA lions at their noon
day meal. He enjoyed the sight Of
the sleek creatures playing about in
the water; and their carelrtc abap-
don took his mind for the moment
OIL the problems Of waste ana spill
ways ana barrages and aprons when
occupied his working hours. FOl
henry Bolton was Il rising consulting
engineer with leaning toward ny
draulics, and his work kept him thor
oughly occupied so that the moment
OF relaxation in the aquarium came IS
q welcome relief.
One hot noon, as he was enjoying
the cool drafts of air that played
about the tank where the seals we've
kept, he was startled to hear femi-
nine voice, very near to him, call out
sharply Henry" He was the more
amazed, for his list of girl acquani-
ances in the city was practically nil.
He turned and took off his hat, pre-
pared to see some friend Of his from
his home town. But the gIrl beside
him, who had just spoken, seemed not
to be looking at him. But even as he
turned away she called again Henry
How are you today?"
II beg your pardon" he began.
But are you calling me?"
The girl turned and showed him a
face that he was not to forget-;i
sweet mouth, nose tilted ever so
slightly, and two deep brown eyes
altogether such face as he had some
times seen in his dreams.
'You-you called me by name" i,e
stammered, land l thought"
She interrupted with Al little burst of
laughter.
"Ohv she cried when she recov-
cred her breath. is your name Henry,
too? l was calling to an old friend OF
mine who knows me-here he comes
Henry
Bolton followed her glance and saw
a smooth brown seal flop into the wa
ter and shoot across the tank with
one flip Of It's tail. He was conscious
of embarrassment, and then he saved
the situation by laughing with the
girl.
II must confess" he began, that
my name Is Henry. And when you
called l thought some one l knew was
here, so turned and spoke. / he
paused and then ventured on. i am
very fiattered to have you choose such
| q gOOd-lOOking namesake as that.
And truly the seal, as 1t played In the
water, was thing Of beauty. Il am
! very fond Of that particular seal my
self" he went on, as she did not reply.
II come here every day to see him
| fed"
$50 do l." rejoined the girl. Then
she glanced at her watch. Heavens
| / must get back |" And before he could
say anything more she had gone.
Henry Bolton contemplated the seal
| for q moment In silence. The animal
returned his gaze calmly. Henry, old
man." said Henry Bolton to his name
sake, II think you're very lucky to
have such pretty godmother." Then
| his face clouded.
"ConfOund it, I may never see her
again. Henry, the seal. looked at
Henry, the man, and the man was sure
| that he saw a solemn wink. You re
right, old boy" said the man, entnusi-
astically. "She said she came here
every day, didn't she? Well see her
again. after ALL" And he departed fol-
his office, whistling noisily and very
much of-key.
He did see her again. The next day
| she was there and acknowledged his
presence with the slightest Of mods ano
| smiles. Henry Bolton, undiscouraged
returned her salutatiOn anG made nj
effort to progress further, a fact
which pleased the unknown girl. Eacl
day they met at the seal tank. and al
II ia humanity impossible fOr two young
| people to have a common ground Of
interest without becoming fairly wei
| acquainted it was not long till they
knew each others names.
"Alice Farwell," said Henry Bolton
to himself that evening, as he sat con
fronting a very important problem
that must be done before tomorrow
THAT'S a pretty name. l like that
name-and like her, too! Well
he meditated while and returned tf
| the calculations before him.
Their mountaineering grew anC
deepened into warm friendship. They
had lunched together several times
and he had taken her to the theatel
twice. She seemed to enjoy his com
many. and he frankly took pleasure IL
hers. He congratulated himself OF
having found such friend.
And then, one day in the autumn
| she was not at the tank N the aquari
nm. He waited for an hour, but shf
did not appear. He thought notbin;