The herald. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1905-1953, 1922-11-02
HE HEKALD, ALCIEKS, LOUISIANA

own way this winter"
So In day or two II was bruited
about through the fraternity and final
ly all about the campus that Malcolm
Crimson had lost his money but was
taking 1t like brick and not saying
how it happened. Meantime he moved
away from the frat house, went back
only for the weekly meetings and was
looked upon as a "darned good sport"
TO be willing TO take homework Job
rather than chuck college entirely.
Meantime Malcolm GimsOn fell
more deeply and deeply in love. He
decided that the time to tell the
charming Emma of his sentiment was
at the Junior ball. BY Christmas he
had asked her If she would go to the
ball with him and was infinitely re-
neved when she accepted, with the
entire approval of her mother.
Then came a telegram from NAL
collins uncle and guardian, Roger
Smith, who had apparently decided to
travel five hundred miles to visit his
nephew. 1t was disturbing and NAL
colin did not conceal from the Ginner
family that he was disturbed.
I'm asking an enormous favor" he
said to Mrs. Ginner. Hell be here only
a day-while he Is here would YOU
mind letting me pretend that l am
boarding here, not working? I'll ex-
plain it all sometime" Mrs. Ginner
agreed, but later was puzzled over
the request. If the uncle believed
that the boy were not working then il
must be that he had enough money
sent him to make Ii unnecessary; IL
he had the money, what did he do
with 1t? Perhaps he had lost money
gambling or something, and was work
ing to pay a debt of honoR 1t was
too much for the easy-going Mrs. Gin
ner. So she kindly asked Malcolm
to invite the uncle to a family dinner
at which every one, including Mr.. Gin
ner himself, would be primed to treat
Malcolm like a paying boarder.
But something very unexpected hap
pened at dinner that night. Mr.. Gin
ner recognized In Roger Smith his
very dear, old college friend.
IF I'd known that my nephew was
boarding with the family of my old
friend, how happy 1 should have
been"
you certainly ought to have been
congratulated on having a nephew
willingly work his way through col
lege even when he has no money"
said Mr.. Ginner.
"Works his way" exclaimed Mr..
Smith, and then there had to be e1-
plantations. Mr.. Ginner had forgotten
for a moment the instructions of his
wife.
Then all eyes turned on poor, en-
barrassed Malcolm.
"Well, now the cats out Of the
bag" laughed the uncle, why don't
you tell US why you did itr'
Malcolm looked very intently at
Emma and Emma blushed.
Because" said Malcolm. looking
first straight into the eyes Of Mr.. Gin
ner and then at his uncle, because
the first time came on an errand for
a friend Of mine, decided that l want
ed tO-to-take Er1ma Ginner to the
Junior ball"
Wanted to take her to the junior
BALI" Knocked the uncle good ma
turedly. "Why don't you be frank
and say you decided you wanted to
marry her?'
There was little startled cry from
Emma and gasp from Mr.. Ginner
"That is what I might have said. sir"
said Malcolm very solemnly. Then
there was an awkward silence and
then dinner progressed and every one
was very merry.
That evening a little later Malcolm
went on his accustomed trip to the
cellar to tend fires and, Emma fol.
lowing his whispered injunctions. went
with him. Standing in the coal bin
together they plighted their troth, and
five minutes later back in the family
living room craved their families
blessings.