Iron County record. [volume] (Cedar City, Utah) 1893-1982, 1922-07-14
JACK FROST AIDS
ny RUTH W. BAKER


~ she could not love two men equal
ly wellf She could be happy with
one, Of that she was sure, but, alas,
Jim's voice had great power TO thrill
her
The sound Of his step on the stair
could cause her heart TO beat suffo-
catingly. Last night, at the country
club dance, both men had asked the
right 10 place on the third finger Of
her left hand the shining circlet which
means but one thing. She thought
whimsically that II was unfortunate
that she could marry but one.
The girl was no coquette. She In
stinctively sbrnnk from the thought
of bringing unhnppiness TO anyone. But,
which one should she marry7 Chan
ming was coming this afternoon for
his answer, and she was no nearer 10
knowing what that answer was to be
than she had been the night before.
Restlessly she wandered from room
to room, readjusting u chair here, q
curtain there. She moved across the
room to the window. There she stood
watching the children who were slid
ing on the icy walk. Their hearty
laughter rang through the clear, frosty
air, and Pauline smiled In ready sym
patty. She would have liked to have
Joined in their sport.
A familiar figure rounded the corner
and she caught her breath. II was
Jim Oh, surely he wasn't coming to
see her now Surely he must remem-
Der that he was not to come until
evening He must not be there when
Charming arrived Hastily she rang
for her maid.
Hester" she said, II am at home
TO no one but Mr.. Claiming"
every well, Miss Pauline"
The girl turned again to the window.
The man was rapidly approaching the
house and she noted with sense of
pleasure the air OF distinction about
him. She remembered how proud she
had been of her handsome escort last
night. Claiming was dear, but he
lacked the assurance, the clever wit
that made the other man stand out
from his fellows. A wave Of pity swept
over her, and instantly she knew that
she had made decision. She was
sorry for Claiming because she must
hurt him by marrying Jim
As the hurrying man reached the
stone steps one Of the children, with
squeal Of pure Joy, slid along the
sidewalk and lost her balance directly
before Jim. Pauline. watching from
the window, could not suppress her
laughter. Tie dignifed James, Of all
people. to be sitting. crimson with
embarrassment, on an icy sidewalk
directly before her house, A mo-
ment later her mirth changed to con-
sternation. then quickly to anger, for,
having struggled 10 his feet, Jim had
seized the innocent cause Of his TX.
nominous tumble and was energeti.
cally shaking her.
"Now run home, every one Of you"
he cried furiously, and like frightened
Mnbits the children scurried around
the corner TDHRsN4NRQWae1~>-
Pauline held her breath as che
watched him straighten his hat, glance
furtiyely and somewhat sheepishly al
oh, I hope Hester feiaasSbeTs,s she
whispered, as she drew back still fur
Their from the curtained window. ~
never want to see him again That
poor little girl"
She heard the door open, then close
and Jim went slowly down the
Steps again. She felt no thrill now as
she watched him. In % half panic
stricken way she was thinking, "And
might have married man who didp't
like childrenw
As the minutes went slowly by she
began 10 fear that Charming, too,
might fail her. At last he came, but
not exactly as she had expected him,
for he almost-no, actually-rushed
into the room, holding In his arms a
child whose grubby fists were making
strange marks on tear-wet face.
~ knew you wouldn't mind II
brought the little shaver In, Pauline"
was Channing's greeting. "You see,"
he hurst Into hearty laugh, 1--WE had
a little mix-up on the Ice, and when
we got untangled this chap seemed TO
he ON the casualty list. thought some
witchhazel might fix him up all right"
With shining eyes, Pauline ran up
stairs for the bottle, and together they
bathed the bruises. Soon the child
slipped on Channings knee. II gotta
go home now" he announced. A mo
ment later, with slice Of cake In each
hand, he was ushered tremendously
out the front door.
Pauline turned 10 Claiming. 81
think you are the incest man ever
knew" she exclaimed.
why, Pauline" stammered the sur.
prised Claiming "Do you-will you
that Ii, may l."
"Yes," interrupted the girl, with Il
happy laugh. 81 do, and win, and you
mayr'