Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1922-03-02
HAPPINESS
BY BEATRICE l. cAHlLL.

around in mid-air.
"Huhf What's wrong nowi" grunt-
ed her husband as he slipped into his
dinner coat, giving the collar that little
unnecessary pat which always accom-
panies such performance.
"Why, these hair nets" continued
his spouse as she finally untangled the
cobwebby substance between her fin
gers sufficiently 10 slip II over her mar
celled locks; "the quality. the color,
the size-they're all wrong!"
THE least of my worries, my dear.
Why pick an accomplishing husband
10 infict such tale of woe upon? Ny
mind is occupied with troubles far
greater than n hair net. / tell you.
Nancy, IL that big deal isn't pulled Off
next month my chance OF getting the
managership of the company's largest
office is all Off"
Mrs. Williamson gave an under
standing nod. After few moments
contemplation she turned 10 her hus-
band and said; Listen, George: Mr..
Harkners is the one man who matters
in this deal, isn't he?
yes"
We'll. / earnestly believe that to-
night will afford you big chance. Mr..
and Mrs Harkners are going 10 be
present at the Hills dinner party. Do
you understand the significance, dear?
Now let's do our best. If you once get
a chance for an uninterrupted CONVEX
sation, IL will be an easy matter"
Mr. Williamson considered the mat
ter and smiled.
I'm glad you told me that, Nan, be-
cause II will be a big asset. But you
know these dinner parti~s-nct much
chance for secluded conference"
you wait. just know that / can
arrange it," and, slipping silken
scarf over her couture. the little wife
gave her husbands arm an encouras-
ing squeeze.
While driving through the mass Of
machines that thronged the avenue
nj this time second thought occurred
10 her
"Oh George. forgot 10 mention
to the theater this evening. he seems
quite interested in our pride and joy;
don't YOU think 500"
For answer she received short,
dry laugh.
That's a good one" chuckled the
amused George. Bob Harkners ex-
erts all his youthful ENERGY 10 fas-
climate my daughter, while I'm about
10 exert all my will power To interest
his dad. It's great life!"
At dinner fortune favored the cou.
pie by seating them near the coveted
prize. Conversation ran smoothly and,
fortified by an excellent dinner and q
little of the last stray OF vintage, the
men were in good humor. However,
interruptions were bound to happen,
and no chance occurred where they
could indulge in business arrange
ment.
Suddenly strange thing happened.
Mrs. Hill came into the room after
q short absence and the look on her
face halted all conversation. Spas
medically she announced that Vera
had been sick all day and the doctor
had just pronounced her very Ill with
a contagious disease. The house was
quarantined for ten days.
1t was the ninth day OF their con-
finement and the guests were assem-
bled about the fireplace. Fortunately,
none of them had contracted the fatal
disease, and as they talked, realizing
that the next day they were 10 be re-
leased they laughed over their odd
and rather ridiculous positions. Ev-
cry day the phone had been constant
ly In use, either with business COM
munications, or with young daughters
and some calling long enough TO tease
their parents with wild tales of their
doings; although they really had flown
10 relatives on the night Of the event
full mishap.
Mr.. and Mrs. Williamson seemed
to be the happiest OF the group. In
the preceding days the men had sick
ened Of social discourse and had talked
business most of the time. Mr.. Hark-
ners became well acquainted with Mr..
Williamson and the latter had taken
advantage OF his strange position TO
adroitly sketch the details OF his "big
deal" in a clever. concise way. He
never rushed the matter, knowing that
he had 10 days to get what he was
going after. That morning, I'm the
presence OF the two wives, now great
friends. a short brief had been drawn
! UP by "Will" and signed by "Hark,"
as they affectionately termed each 9th
er now.
The group was just finishing an old
melody that had been popular In their
day when the phone rang.
II was Betty.
"Oh, nother, I'm so excited. and
will you please tell Mr.. and Mrs. Hark-
ners that Bob has been so good and
kind and has tried TO cheer me VI
so much I'm your absence that Just
couldn't help falling in love with him,
the dear, and we're engaged. Wait a
minute, mumsy, he wants to talk to
you and his mother and dad"