The northwestern bulletin., 1922-08-26
A RAINBOW SCARF
BY HllDA L. HARRIS


Somner Brett scowled as he swung
open the heavy hotel vestibuie doors
and stepped into the crowded street.
Evidently the charm Of the sunny
afternoon, which seemed to brighten
the faces Of the passing throngs, had
no effect upon him, for the scowl grew
deeper as he meditated. To Brett, the
thought that he had three whole hours
In a strange city. with only the pros
pect Of a rather dull dinner with Am
brOse Potter, when he could be enjoy
ably spending the time elsewhere-the
Lindale Country club golf links, for
instance-was annoying, and his scowl
deepened into heavy frown.
But, suddenly, all signs Of annoy
ance disappeared and the mans face
frightened with interest. Involuntar-
lily he threw back his shoulders and
buttoned his topcoat.
A golden-haired, blue-eyed bit Of
feminine daintiness was the cause Of
his sudden change Of mood. The col
ors in her silken scarf fairly fascinat-
ed him. In a flash, he called 1t rain
bow" scarf.
The girl stopped at shop windows;
the man paused by nearby shop win
dows. His courage failed him, how
ever, when his vision of loyeliness dis
appeared into quaint little bookshop,
but he lost no time In deciding that
the bookstore probably had just the
volume Of Kipling that he had wanted
for some time.
The girl, who had evidently selected
a book, was murmuring something
about having lost her money, as she
fumbled In her little purse, while the
sales clerk, with suspicious eyes, wait
ed impatiently. Then the girl glanced
at him, a distressed look in her deep
blue eyes, and before he realized It,
he had paid for the book and was
standing out in the street again. And
his rainbow" scarf girl was actually
speaking to him, thanking him for his
kindnessl
II can't imagine how I lost the
money" she said in a perplexed tone.
81 wonder-I wonder If you would mind
very much walking down a few blocks
to the Betty Brown tea-room? / am
going to meet friend there, who will
return the money to you"
Then she smiled. In q fash the man
understood why men wrote songs
about smiles that made one happy.
The walk to the tea-room was ridicu-
lously short, but luck again favored
Brett, for the girl, with a tiny pout of
disappointed surprise, found that her
friend had not arrived.
But the pout changed into a dim
piing smile when a "Waffies and Syrup
sign tempted Brett to suggest cup Of
tea, and the adventure progressed
famously.
1t was not until he met Ambrose,
waiting as stiffly and sedately as only
Ambrose A. Potter could wait, that
Brett came back to earth, and then he
tried to visualize the look Of polite in
credulity that would appear on his
friends face, II he were to hear Of the
afternoons adventure. Brett smoth-
cred a chuckle as he discovered that
he had not heard one word Of Potters
conversation.
"Sorry you're here for so short q
time, Somner," Ambrose was saying,
unfolding his napkin with a precise
gesture. II wanted you to meet Mary"
Oh, yes, Brett remembered. Am
brose, old chap, had got himself a
fiancee with the growing prosperity Of
his hay and grain business. He won
dered If waffies were included on the
menu.
"Do you serve waffiesT" he inquired
of the waiter, who promised vaguely
to "see."
"You were surprised to hear Of my
engagementY Potter asked, as he
fumbled In his coat pocket. He pro-
duced a photograph and, with -four
ish which surprised Brett, exclaimed:
"Meet the future Mrs. Ambrose Au-
gustus Potter"
Brett glanced rather carelessly at
the picture, and then stared and
stared!
"Is that one of the scarfs from-In-
a--she's-wearing? he finally blurt-
ed, mopping the perspiration from his
forehead.
Eyes" complacently answered Am
brose, "shs has an aunt in India"
Bret. sank back weakly in his chair,
but managed to summon enough
strength to stop the passing waiter.
"Never mind the waffles" There
was a savage tone In his voice.
"of course, this little picture doesn't
do Mary Anne"-Brett winced-"jus-
tice," said Ambrose, as he carefully
put the picture back into his pocket.
"She has nice eyes, and rather pretty,
light hair. Speaking Of wafies made
me think Of Mary Anne. I promised
to meet her at little tea-room on
- avenue this afternoon, but was
tied up all day at meeting. Mary
is a dear GIRL" Ambrose went on, but
she's a bit childish and chatters--