The Kennewick courier-reporter. [volume] (Kennewick, Wash.) 1914-1938, 1923-06-28
Tried the Gold
Fish Test
"a. 1928. BY Mcclure Newspaper syndica,e.l
By JANE OSBORN

GO, 1923. by Mcclure Newspaper Syndicate
When Bob Granger went to work
In Benton about the least important
article in his trunk, so it seemed to
him then, was q small white envelope
holding q note Of introduction from
his Cousin Jane to an old school friend
of hers named Sarah Smith. The name
hadn't fired Bob with any enthusiasm
and all Cousin Jane had said was that
she was a mice girl''-nothing about
soft brown eyes, the dimple that came
with every smile, the figure Of an elf
queen. "You might have thought from
the way you spoke" wrote Fob to his
Cousin Jane, that Miss Smith was
just like any other girl. / wasn't
especially keen about calling, but Sun
day afternoon there was nothing else
to do and guess l was homesick.
Anyway, went around to call on her
at her boarding house. was SO sur
prised when saw what peach she
was that l guess l acted like boob
for few minutes, but maybe / didn't
make such bad impression after all.
She's asked me to come ANY Sunday
afternoon. I shall certainly turn up
next Sunday
Bob did go the next Sunday, and the
next day he got a letter from his
Cousin Jane. I'm glad you like
Sarah" she wrote "She is nice girl,
and I'm sure told you so. Some.
times l think she's just as attractive
as IL she were really pretty" Bob
snorted at this. "But don't get ex-
cited, Bob, though Of course l know
you know ever so many prettier girls
and haven't thought Of Sarah In super
latives. You know she's engaged.
might have mentioned it, though it
hadn't been announced Perhaps she
mentioned 1t herself. Tom Yates Is
his name. an old friend Of the family.
She'd known him so long and they'd
always gone around like brother and
sister. so. we really were little sur
prised when they became engaged. But
don't say anything about 1t. Just
thought you might like to know"
Bob was looking very gloomy when
he finished the letter and his big
heart seemed to be pounding harder
and quicker than was its wont. He
sat In blue funk for full ten min
utes and then came to the conclusion
that IT wasn't fair for a girl to go
around being engaged without wear
ing an engagement ring. and he'd
looked the first thing and found her
left ring finger unadorned.
Bob Granger had made up his mind
not to call again the following Sunday.
but there had been a half promise.
II may have to go keep an engage
ment with one Of the girls know in
the Office" Sarah had said. 81 half
promised. But II you're walking
around this way you might stop. Ny
room Is around on the side with the
bay windows globe Of goldfish In
the window II the shade is drawn up
80 you can see the goldfish I'll be
home waiting for you. If the shade
Is down you'll know I've had to 60 of
with Molly and then you needn't
bother to CALL"
Even In the face Of the realization
that Sarah was engaged Bob had cher
ished these words, and he had stopped
every day in front Of shop window
downtown where pets and goldfish
were sold and had gazed vacantly at
the nnny creatures a. they swan
around and around In their watery
prison Goldfish suddenly assumed
enormous proportions in Bob's mind.
Twice that week Bob had run In
his car straight from his ONCE to the
street where Sarah Smith boarded.
He wanted to look for the window
with the goldfish. but always It was
too dark
The next Sunday he started out an
hour before the time sukgested for
his call and drove aimlessly ont In,
the country and back again 80 as not
to make his call too early. As he
approached the stately old house
where Sarah boarded he almost hest
tated. Suppose the goldfish should be
In eclipse. That would mean that Sa-
rah had not postponed her other en-
gagement. II she cared at all for him
she surely could have arranged. Bob
drove directly OeIOrS TIC uOuSO UcAOIe
he allowed his eyes to look up toward
the bay window at the side. The sun
was shining on that side Of the house
and It's rays fell on the sides Of the
goldfish. making them CLEAN like pol
ished copper There was no mistake
about It. Sarah was home waiting
for him. It seemed like good omen,
and yet he must remember that she
was engaged to that miserable Tom
Yates, whoever he was.
/ Bob waited In the formal old draw
Ing room and Sarah appeared without
keeping him waiting many minutes.
IRA like to receive you In more coy
quarters" apologized Sarah. "But
have no sitting ROOM" Bob suggested
that they take a ride In the roadster
and Sarah said that was what she
had been limiting to do.
II was dying to ask you to take
me on q little ride last Sunday" Sa-
ram confessed, but didn't dare But
now we're such old, old friends