The Bossier banner., 1922-07-13
CHAPTER VII.

CHAPTER VII.
The first little costume dance wae
. tremendous success for everybody
but Tommy Spencer. He danced ones
with Helen, and he thought her tn.
mendOusly kind to him. He had rather
that she had not been. It hurt, 1 liz.
tie, to have her treat him with %
much grave consideration. It seemed
to him that she, too. had quieted some.
what in the. past winter. He found
her eyes fixed speculatively on him
more than once, and he thought them
almost wistful at times.
He slipped out for a smoke after
that dance. Somehow, he wanted to
be alone. and he took a seat in q dark
corner Of the little side porch The
intermissions were rather long, for
lonely person, and In one Of them =
saw Ames and Helen come from tie
house, arm In ann.
Tommy felt pang at his heart q /
he realized what an unusually perfect
couple they we're. This was Louis
XVI night, and both Ames and Helen
were all in white; Helen with her
powdered hair and cleaning shouk
ders, and a wide spreading satin
gown, and Ames particularly tall and
graceful in his pigtail and his knes
breeches. They were ike ghostly
pair from an old tapestry, as they
stepped into the moonlight and Ane3
head was bent low over Helen. He
was holding her hand In his, and ~
was talking to her In q very low
voice, while Helen's head drooped ~
her eyes were averted.
Tommy jumped down from the bals
cony as soon as they had passed, and
A--s---ta-s-vPl'esifA dirantion. He
felt the need Of rapid exercise, and y
walked briskly down through ~
grape arbor and across through ~
flower garden, and back up to ~
fountain. He had just turned the -
ner Of the summer house when " U.
most ran into Ames and Helen. The
tall white cOurtier was standing b
front Of Helen, holding both OF NJ
hands In his, and, just as Tommy
came upon them, Ames bent forward,
Helen upturned her face to hia, ard
he kissed her on the lips.
Tommy mumbled hasty apology
and started to hurry away, but they !
both called after him, and gulpfnt
down the lump which had leaped II I
his throat, he turned and came back.
I'm just bidding good-by to the
prettiest girl in town. Tommy" MI
Ames, in serious tome Helen and
have been tremendous pals and I'm
Iofng to miss all the rest OF you more
han can say"
You're not going away" protested
Tommy, bewildered.
Eyes. l find l can't stand It any
onger," laughed Ames. 'The fun's
III gone. I see the same old freight
'ars backed up on the same old siding
very day, and the same old cburns.
"But -you can't go now" protested
Tommy. 1.-THE business is lust begin
ing to yield 4 profit"
I can find profit any place.
miled Ames. "You see, Tommy, the
hurn business never Interested me.
only cared for the problem OF
tralghtening out its difficulties, and
Ow the puzzle Is solved. The blocks
re all fitted together, and the only
ray to enjoy them any further Is to
ear them all apart again. Better still.
or a rover like me. Is to wander on
nd find new puzzle"
Il thought you were at home here"
rgued Tommy.
II don't think shall ever have
al home.' laughed Ames. II belong
the air, and l have to be free. The
My regret shall have In leaving ID
n my good friends" and he reached
Ut hand to both Helen and Tommy.
Helen slipped her other hand n
ommy's arm.
"What about Helen" Tommy sud
enly demanded. "Ames. when feis
" monopolizes girls entire time
"Why. you silly Tommy" fared
elem, dropping her hand from hi
m. 'Is that why you've neglected
z all winter?"
.Well, you know. thought" STAN.
cred Tommy.
"And you know / thought" breath
ssly interrupted Helen.
"Oh, tut. tut" laughed Ames. The
usic's beginning. Helen, will you let
,mms take you to the rest Of this
ries OF dances?"
Helen and Tommy looked at each
her. then suddenly laughed. Arnes
rned away and lit a cigarette
Helen, That's our two-step," he
ID. "I'll give It to you. Tommy. Run
ing"
He laughed as he watched them
. into the house. arm In arm. He
w = u,rnnfh ~ avs.nlrn - t1b 4 mara s III