The Press., 1921-09-29
The Pothooks and
 Hangers By HAROLD SINcLAIRE
(@ by Mcclure Newspa per syndicatel

Jimmy had come early. 1t was reg ular lesson night, but the Shark wouldn't appear for perhaps half an hour. Plenty of time for Jimmy ill
 which to learn his fate and-well, he hadn't decided just what he would do 1 after that; that is, in case she wouldn't
 marry him. So he sat in the little parIOr of LOuise's home and waited. Presently she would come in briskly, her brown eyes demure, her lips smiling. She always made you think of sturdy little wildfower in the woods in spring time. And Jimmy, young lawyer though he was, knew that his heart would skip a beat and his ruddy face take on a still deeper hue as he faced her. He tried to be patient, and as the minutes passed memories came sweet and bitter-in their turn.
 Around that library table in the center of the room he had sat three nights a week with Louise and-yes- Terry Gerard the Shark-who was the particular fly in Jimmy's Oint- ment. Why did he need cOmmer- cial education, anyway-his business didn't require 1t. Jimmy's did; at least, so he had represented to Louise when he had begged her to teach him the art of shorthand.
 So around this table the three had sat-Louise and her two mismated pu- pills, for they hated each other as much as they loved their teacher. Both had invented their need of a knoWl- edge of shorthand in order to be near the object of their affections. The only difference in their methods was that while Jimmy didn't try to learn, cOncealing his indifference to the best of his ability, Terry made the most of his lessons and consequently was able to read whole pages of curlicues without a break.
 "Red headed shark" grOwled Jim my, gritting his teeth. He smOOthed his own glossy dark hair and scOwled. That shark was to be reckOned with, he was bright and, yes, good looking and Louise seemed to like him. Of late he had imagined that she pre- ferred him. Only yesterday he had
 
 ly in low tones when no one was near. Well, the suspense would soon be over. He heard her coming down the stairs, and his heart skipped that beat according to prophecy, as Louise entered in anticipated fashion.
 While he was holding her hand, which had been extended in welcome, he looked at it idiOtically, as if he had never seen it before.
 "Why, Jimmy" said Louise, looking at him in surprise:
 Jimmy gulped.
 "YOu promised to write my answer today"
 And so have"
 Didn't get it," gasped Jimmy. Mail service punk. Was it yes or nO?
 silly" she answered, diving into her pocket 'I didn't say I'd mail 1t to you. Weren't you to come this evening to take your lesson? Well!"
 She handed him notebook, open, pointing to a neat array of pOthOOks and hangers that adorned the page.
 "That is my answer" she told him sweetly.
 He looked at it helplessly. "Je hOshaphat !" he exclaimed. For the first time he envied that shark. He could have read those marks. Poor Jimmy couldn't, and he didn't know whether to sink with despair or take his teacher in his arms!
 It was at "recess" the night before l that 1t happened. The Shark had left | early, Louise had told him goodnight | in what seemed to Jimmy most un- | necessarily interested fashion, and Jimmy had forthwith laid his heart l and fortune at his teachers feet. In a sweetly businesslike manner she | had promised to write him her answer.
 And there it was in his hand and he couldn't read 1t!
 'That is your answer" repeated Louise.
 "Yes," Jimmy floundered miserably. She was looking out of the window now. Jimmy set his teeth and. began ! to study those awful marks with vengeance.
 A gasp escaped him. There was familiar chicken track in that first line. It was the one phrase he had learned very early in the course, think ing some time to use 1t craftily, "I love you" He recognized that when he saw it. It was there! He looked closer. Yes, 1t was there, but what | was that silly little mark preceding the word love? It didn't belong! He | tried with his finger to remove it-it | might be an eyelash fallen there. But l it stayed. and Jimmy's brow grew moist with the dawning of an awful l thought. Suppose that little fool l curved line should be the negative to that sweet phrase! Did she or didn't l she? That was the question. It was | time to use some of that craftiness.
 Pushing back his damp hair and l calling to his aid sickly smile, he | pointed to the disturbing curlicue.
 Teacher" he said in a wheedIing | tone which he sometimes used teas ingly, teacher. you made this char | acter little lame. can't quite make | it out" He held his breath.
 That" answered Louise, turning to l him patiently and spelling the word 1 sis 'd-o-n-'t'-half length. you know, to add t."
 Jimmy stiffened and the notebook l fell to the floor When Louise left it l there and turned away again he ex- pOded. Black despair reigned. bu, rage gained mastery of his tongue.
 'I hope you're satisfied" he said tnickly. You've made all kinds of d fool of me-dellberately, too"
 Louise raised her finger warningly and listened. 'I think Terry's com ing" she said. Hes early
 Jimmy swallowed and looked for his hat. He was certain now-the Shark had won. LOuise's smile showed that. It was radiant and her face was shin ing with glory that only love can bring.