Omaha daily bee., 1922-05-14


this brash Eudsness of eaasperated youth,
One aisht Joe found her sittng ssrsneiy az
his table. She greeted him with the old frank
smile and his heart plunged like wild horse
In his breast Hope dwelt once more In him.
high hope. because no felt that the times were
peculiarly suspicious for him, For one thing.
the bricks were almost wheeled. and, for an
other. tho day OF the annual track meet and field
sports between Pioneer and hransietter unNsr-
sltiss was az hand. "fat" Franklin. a man OF
sporting prociivitiss was bonnd 10 have his In
tersst In romance swallowed up for brief IN
tsrvsl before and after that field day by absorp-
ton In tts event. for fierce was the rivalry be-
tween the two institutions,
On the very day before the meet Joe wheeled
his last brick and declared himself off OF Wheel
bnrYows and bricks for life, hut this contractor
proved that no was man with heart by adj
ing somewhat 20 Joe's stipend.
You did neat job" he confessed Here's .
bonuse Of SIS"
bonus, The word had never had an adequate
meaning TO Joe until that minute. Thank you."
he gulped. his eye lighting with gratitude 40
he perceived how much more iustrous dia-
mond could bc purchased for tiss than for iio.
But when Joe. after shedding overaiis and
doiing for the street, eoasted into tho ofhnE
before Roy Lees jewelry stor. he encountered
the shock OF his life "Fat" Franklin was just
entering the place. Through the window Joe
kaw him purchase giant sparkler, saw him dis
In all his pockets for money. and thereaSer
write something on card-an J. o. U. for
balance. no doubt. And Fat was no sena-
mentaiist. but cold and practical. II. the day'
before loyal PPoncer man would need all the
money he could raise. Fat Franklin had
stripped himself Of funds and mor'eaged his
future allowances. Il was because he had already
rnnde definite arrangements with tho finger
which that diamond was TO adorn.
The world turned black before Jocs eyes. He
crushed the Si26 down deep In his pocket ana
turned sickly away. In front OF him Fats
ehn .urh IL I'd from
car Nerceiy and turned north. when-that his
heart wound might bc torn afresh--here came
Leila Mason. looking. II possible. more sweet ana
winsome than he had ever known her to appear
before.
But Joe could have no grievance against Leila
because he had los ther The sight OF the girl
stimulated while Il pained him. He was even
able to recall that she always came down from
lab" about this time. free for several hours.
and instantly grasped the situation. Fat" with
his car conveniently parked at the corner. ana
his diamond ring in his pocket, was waiting to
take her for ride: and during that ride
Within Joe's soul was the sound of weeping
and wailing and gnashng Of teeth, and the reign
of darkness that outer and terrible a. he
thought of what was to occur upon that ride.
Yet Joe's craven spirit, and pride had
saved many a face.
Hello, Leila" he chirped. bluffng mon-
strously. "Gosh, but you're looking snappy this
aft"
The girl stopped dead to gaze with playful
surprise.
IL this you. Joe. or somebody else?" she de-
manded. 'Gracious grandmother, but It's Joy
to see you on exhibition in the p. m. hours once
more. On what sector OF the educational front
have you been effacng yourself In the after
Moons Of late?"
Joe could only flush.
"Still keeping the dark secret, hey?" she rail-
lied 20. all right; won't tease. I'll Just be
thankful for small favors. Whittier shall We
0A IL Al~.n Gel
Of books.
Something clicked in Joes reeling brain. OBJ
viously. then, Leila had no date to ride with
"Fat." yet Fat" Joe was perfectly sure. had
in his mind = date for ride with her.
Now. there 10 something in the male wooer
that can make hi mendure with stole fortitude
his own excrucating agony while finding a grim
pleasure in tantalizng, at the moment Of victory.
the rival who has beaten him. Joe saw q chance
to spoil Fats" plan for ride and the fxation
Of a diamond ring. and eagerly he leaped at 1t.
He had the time. he had the girl. and yonder at
the curb stood shiny new touring car with
upon It q sign "For hire. 81 per hour" In
Joe's pockets were $125 that were now Of no
use to him whatever.
''What say to . ride, Lela?" he proposed, and
jerked his head In the direction Of the public
car.
"O would love it," she exclaimed, eyes
sparkling.
Joe sazed at those eyes enviously. Looking
at them 30 near. 20 cordial and 80 warm, It was
difficult to realize that he had lost them; yet
within him. carefully concealed. was the knowl-
edge Of the truth, and sorrowfully as one takes
flowers to q funeral. he was paying his last re-
spects.
Outwardly. Joe was game sport.
Jump int he said to Leila, and held open
he door for her
Where to, sir?" inquired the mahout.
"Down the line" said Joe in big way. "Givs
her the gun"
Leila shot little glance Of admiration. It
was astonishing how well he did it. She had
mover felt admiration for Joe before only graft
tude; now she nestled close to his side, looking
up at him with vague, new kind Of emotion.
As they rolled slowly down the street. past
tho service station. there was Fat" Franklin
filling his tanks. Leila did not see him, but Joe
lid and 1t was worth million dollars to observe
Fats start. his stare, the drop of his jaw.
They passed out OF town. and the car swung
On and on over long miles Of polished boulevard
ID surface between . verdant panorama Of field
Ind garden and orchard, Leila manifesting her
enjoyment In many ways
"Going to the track meet tomorrow" in
l,ired Joe.
II think So" Leila answered, but bit doubt
fully.
Joe's mind seized instantly upon this doubtful
note. She thought so 1t had not been settled
definitely then, but she was depending upon
Fat"
Now. it could knock an awful hole in a mans
rocketbook. taking girl to that shindg to-
morrow and seeing her through on it all the
way round. and "Fat'-well, Joe had reason to
know that Just Fat" was quite denuded
Of funds; in terser English. he was broke.
I'm just crazy to go!" the girl confessed with
shining eyes.
From under his lids Joe peered down side
wise and assayed the woman critically, then
asked himself q mans question about this soft
little thing. Would she, engaged to Milton
Franklin. coolly abandon the possibility with
her accepted lover for q sure-thing trip with