Omaha daily bee., 1922-05-14

features wreathed themselves in . heavenly
smile. Sweet revenge and sweeter reward had
floated to his ears in single speech.
Hes rotten. I'll say" declared Fat" grump-
tly
At the words fresh rage got UP In the heart
OF Joe. rage and . further thirst for revenge
that parched and CONSTRUCTED his throat like q
consuming fire. while kindly fate Immediately
afforded the opportunity for retaliation The
fidsety young freshie just behind Fat" for
whom the soup was destined, not noticing the
near approach Of the first item Of the luncheon
chose this particular fraction Of time in which
to half rise and readjust his chair. In 20 doing
his shoulder either came in violent contact with
the ministering hand Of Joe. or seemed to-
Anyway. the soup plate was tilted and sent .
small Niagara Of rice-tomato fluid cascading
in a hot douche down the back Of the Franklin
neck and inside the franklin semester shirt.
thereby. in fact debarring that garment from
being semester shirt 1T al, since 1t would now
lose its right to that title through having to be
laundered At q time when the semester was
only we'll under way.
WOW! What In blinking blazes? I'm scald.
ed" These and other phrases ideas and ejacu-
lations did Milton Franklin erupt a. he leaped
violently into the air.
"You-you clumsy idiot!'' he cried, and lifted
his hand to strike. A rather mighty hand It
was: for despite his fatness, Franklin was some
Of arm.
But already Joe Hancocks next strategy was
developing. His glance was bent upon the fid-
getty, embarrassed froshie who, guilty or not
guilty was to furnish the alibi demanded by the
exigencies Of the walters situation.
Nov. see what you did," he exclaimed. fotly.
when you sit down, why don't you stay down?
II you're going to get up under plate Of soup.
why don't you ring bell or something? You
better apologize to Mr.. Franklin now"
Him apologise!" snorted Fat" sarcasm and
anger mingling mot him! You! And apologies
won't let you off, either"
Actually Fat" was drawing back that brutal
fist Of his and going to swing 1t against the
smooth but now slightly tanned cheek Of Joe
Hancock: and Joe. full Of fight. was ready for
him. He was younger by year-he was slighter
by 20 pounds-but all that trundling Of wheel
barrow loads Of bricks had given him arms Of
steel and It Is possible that when he swung his
fists it would have been a. II he had a brick in
each hand and that one Of these, landing con-
yeniently on the rotund target Of stomach
which Fat" presented first, and the other fol-
lowing to the chin, might have made wreck Of
Milton Franklin. But nothing Of this kind hap
pened, for instantly the little girl was standing
between them, straight, taller than she had ever
appeared before her cheek glowing her eye
expressing indignation. resentment and blazing
rebuke
Control yourself. Mr.. Tranklin!" she said.
with dignity. II could see It was pure acci-
dent Mr.. Hancock was not in the least to
blame"
IAN accident?" queried 'sFat," incredulously
mot much 1t wasn't any accident. This fellows
taken dislike to mo. sail" But "Fat's' fist
had ceased to menace. The tirrs eye had cowed
him. or elapsng seconds had given him time to
cool off.
why Mr.. Franklin! How could you say
that?" reproached the girl, ana Milton began
to feel ashamed for his brashness and to be
more Immediately conscious Of the embarrass-
ments Of his physical condition.
Besides, the head waiter was on the scene by
this time, rebuking Joe. staring severely at the
fidgety freshman, and assisting. by the sacrifice
Of many paper napkins, in wiping off the neck
Of Mr.. Franklin's person and the back Of his
coat. But no amount Of wipings and no sacrifice
Of napkins could make Mr.. franklin presentable
for the street or the lecture room. He had to
depart ignomnousy for his rooms bath and a
new set Of garments from the skin out He
went dripping soup from two heels and with a
lowering glance at Joseph Hancock.
Gloating and exultng in the discontinue
of "Fat'-and before her-Joe, unaware how
soon he was to turn new page in the book of
his knowledge Of womankind, started out to
have happy afternoon with his bricks. Never
had the toll seemed 30 light Never had a
panorama of such entertaining memory pictures
reeled before his mind. Whenever these reached
their climax, with "Fat" red-faced and deluged,
sputteriug and squawkiug. Joe was compellsd to