Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1922-04-06
OPAL
BY JACK LAYTON

II wish" said Terry glsncing smil
ingly down his cigar, that you could
meet Opal and give her lesson"
If she is the champion little heart
breaker that you describe" his friend
replied, I'm afraid I'd be taking the
lesson instead of giving it, I'm not
inyulnerable, Terry"
well, you're at least lady killer"
Terry retorted. "All the fellows in
college conceded that, and Opal is
altogether too Indifferent to the pain
she inflicts. 1t is evident that | have
been one of her yictims-and am eager
for retaliation, which, |, myself, can
not give. The girl laughs at my suf
| ferings, for there is no denying that
still care. Great guns but she did
lead me a merry dance-and | en-
joyed it; it only ended too briefly"
Terry sighed. Some Jolt" he ex-
claimed, when that new Trayers fell
low came along
Pretty grl?" asked the friend
| Thomas Campbell.
Pretty" Terry considered. "Well,
l don't know. OF course as howlingly
in love as | am, | ought to rave over
her beauty"
Willing to believe all you say"
Thomas agreed doubtfully, land I'll
turn on my fascination Lead me to
the young lady"
Terry hesitated Its rash / am
he said forlornly "But my case sure
can't be worsted, SO go in and win.
But when you have won--I beg of you
snub the girl hard. Don't yield like
the rest of us"
II was TerryS married sister who
did finally bring about the meeting
| which ended unexpectedly for all.
She was giving a party in her sub
| urban home. and Terry and Thomas,
opal Reid and others were guests
Thomas had watched eXpectantly the
dancing throng, where Terry the
| broken-hearted. was also diSporting
cheerfully. In turn, Thomas decided
| that first this pretty girl, and then
| that, must be the dangerous Opal at
last In despair he went to his hostess
Terry wanted me to meet Miss Opal
Reid" he said but he's too busy en-
joying himself to present me. VIII
you tell where I may find her?'
Mrs Moore smiled "Of course YOU
would want to meet her" she said
''they all do. Well. I'll tell you q
romantic way she is out in the Ian
ten-lit garden, away back under the
arbor tree. You may tell her that l
sent you with wrap if you choose
Here" finished Mrs Moore is the
wrap" she slipped scarf from her
shoulders
The silent garden was q fairyland
hover Thomas stepped lightly a'ross
grass and into the arbor. A white
chad figure awaited him He presented
the scarf with his explanation, and
he little blue-eyed girl allowed him to
drape it about her shoulders. Then
she sat down on the circular bench
and Thomas sat down, too,
Miss Reid did respond in friendly
conversation. But she was, as Terry
had said unusual
Geeting smile that showed a fetching
laughing dimple; dimple much in
contrast TO the gravity of the Shy blue
eyes She certainly was all uncon-
scious of her attractyeness-th
sweet little Miss Reid
But Thomas forgot the party. For
got that he was expected TO take Miss
Sturtevant in to Supper-forgot indeed
that such an institution as refreshment
existed he wanted only to tell the in
terested young woman at his side, OF
all past and present experiences which
concerned himself The motor trip
through the mountains. the business
deal which he had landed 5kilifully
the lonely fishing cabin where he
thought out things and wrote in a
shabby diary, he promised eagerly
that he would show her the diary.
The hours were slipping, but Thorn
as was not tired-nelther was his
listener.
Il must see you tomorrow" he in
sisted at parting. and Miss Reid
agreed that he must.
Thomas drew up suddenly on his
homeward walk He recOllected that
ne had not gone into Mrs, Moore's
home to make his adieus He re-
hected that Terry had exacted of him
that Opal Reid was 10 be snubbed
hard
Thomas swung about and retraced
his steps. The little white figure was
still in the arhor Miss Reid jumped
up at his approach.
81 didn't feel like going gack 10 the
rest of them--after you she ex-
planned confusedlS
II love you" he said recklessly, 4
admit it, 1t was love at first sight,
and shall never care about anything
else in the world again, but yourself.
And ii you are going TO treat me as
YOU have your other victims Opal
Reid. then I'd better say good-by right
here--and now"
The white figure came close to him,
the grave eyes were reproachful, but
the dimple danced.
why Tom. the conquerer!' laughed
Nancy Reid, Il do believe that you've
IL s-fE