, 1923-05-31
He Won in the
Next Drive
By JANE OSBORN

1T doesn't make a bit Of differ
ence," with a bored sigh from Clara
across from her. mo one plays de
cent bridge at these benefits"
One or two hands went around.
But it doesn't matter-I mean
whether you have a good score or not
from Mildred at one side. 1.-The COM
mittee hardly spent anything on the
prizes. I've seen them-really not
worth playing for. Pardon me, Mar
garet, but did you play that ace?"
Yes, l guess So"
But you really couldn't blame the
committee" from Irene, the fourth.
"They had to keep down expenses.
They'd planned on raising a thousand
dollars n thought of course they
could get donations beforehand to
amount to half the amount. Put down
Otis ~Trunbridge for two hundred at
least, and he only gave twenty-five. He
said he was through with drives
vowed he'd never give another cent for
a drive as long as he lived"
I've heard he's usually so gener-
GUS" commented Margaret. "And of
course this isn't like a hospital or q
children's home"
to plant trees in the parks-don't your"
from Irene, but no M answered. No
one was especially interested.
"Of course, l don't know this Trun-
bridge person." from Margaret, as she
was shuffling the cards at the end of
the hand. but l imagine that the per-
son who went TO get the donation
didn't go about 1t right. Mr.. Trun-
bridge has loads of money. The COM
mittee ought to have SEM the prettiest,
youngest member in the organization,
and instead I'll bet that Mrs. Benson
went. She couldn't wheedle a man If
her life depended on it. I'll bet she
argued with him, when what she
should have done was to vamp him."
You don't know Mr.. Trunbridge,"
said Irene, with finality. Hes young
and all, but he can't be wheedled. I'll
wager that even you, with all your
southern ways, Margaret, couldn't get
a donation out of him for anything in
town, not even the hospital. now that
he's vowed he'd never give to another
drive. Trunbridges don't change their
minds-least Of all Otis"
"Poohl I'll bet 1 could" boosted
Margaret.
"Tn bet you a new hat you couldn't"
TITS a 60" was Margaret's quick re-
Spouse. 81 need a hat desperately"
So 1t started. Clara. Mildred and
Irene remembered the conversation
with their charming young southern
guest, but they. thought very little of
1t for a fortnight.
In the meantime Margaret had made
covert Inquiries as to Mr.. Otis Trun-
bridges place of business and his Of
flee hours. From nine to twelve, she
learned, he was to be found In his Of
flee at the Trunbridge mills, the source
of a large proportion of the very large
Trunbridge income. But he did not
like to be disturbed. In fact. she was
told. though he sometimes granted in
terviews to strangers he had a way of
getting rid of unimportant callers be-
fore they had had n chance to state the
object of their call.
Margaret arranged to arrive a few
minutes before nine. She thought that
in this way she might give Mr.. Trun-
bridge opportunity to see her as he
passed into his Office. Perhaps IL he
saw her, If she had a chance to look Mt
him just a little ap%pealingly. he would
grant her Interview. Margaret was
right. T%runbridge arrived at nine TO
the dot and saw the lovely Margaret
sitting in an attitude OF patient wait
ing on a very straight chair In the
outer office.
IF that young lady wants to see
me-" he said to his s%tenographer rather
hastily. "let her come in at once. Has
she been waiting long? Those whiting
room chairs are mlserably uncomfort-
able"
SO Margaret was ushered into the
presence Of Otis T~runbridge. who mo-
toned 70 a comfortable chair at the
side OF his desk as she approached. lie
felt charmed by her prettlness. but Just
ms much he felt shocked by the incon-
gritty of d girl like Margaret in sur
roundlngs such as the office Of the
Trunbridge mills. He hoped ~ferventiy
that she had not brought n letter of
Introduction from some one with a re-
quest for a job in one Of the Offices.
a girl like that simply couldn't
But Margaret did not keep him long
In suspense.
Are you very vexed with me for
calling so early-when you must have
50 much TO do?' she began with charm
Ing show OF embarrassment.
"Why-why. no." stammered Otis.
feeling somehow that he ought to say
thet he was vexed. just on general
principles. Then he looked into those
limpid eyes and added, "If there's any
thing l could do for you. I'll do my
best"
I'm out begging" said Margaret.
confdentially. II was asked TO come
70 100 nm nLnnt annLIn. n.nA.n.