Americus times-recorder. [volume] (Americus, Ga.) 1891-current, 1923-11-26

ihCu ny uIlIGdSO4luS l61T. Auu uS
was luckier than most. He had
been the conf1dant Sf men in love,
with hope deferred or blasted, and
although he had been sympathetic
enough, and convinced that men
had a far deeper capacity for suf-
fering than women, still had his
pity been tempered by certain
contempt. Those had been tho
times when he had flouted the idea
that he was basically romantic;
and that he had never made jack
ass of himself over any woman
had induced a feeling Of superiori-
ty that had expanded his ego. Now
he was convinced that his capacity
for love put theirs to shame, and
he was filed with pride at the
thought. Still-he wished it were
Saturday night.
He was crossing the room to his
solitary table when he saw Jim
Oglethorpe enter. His first inn
pulse was to avoid him. The res
taurant was well-flled and he could
easily take a table in a corner
with his back to the room. But
dining alone was a melancholy
business at best-and tonight! II
Oglethrope brought up Madame Eat
tiany's name he could change the
subject or state bluntly that he had
his reasons for not wishing to dis
cuss her." AS he stood hesitating.
Oglethorpe caught sight of him and
almost ran across the rooms his
face, which, had looked heavy and
worried. glowing with pleasure.
"Jove, this is luckr" he exclaim-
ed alone? So am |. Got in this
morning and found Janet had
dinner on for those Internally noisy
friends of hers. Got something to
think over, SO. thought Fd come out
here. This is really luck, as I was
going to hunt you up tomorrow
Let's sit here. | want to talk"
He had led the way to 4 table in
a remote corner, secluded, so far
lie beckoned the head waiter, who
agreed that it should remain Sc
Guided Then ne asked ClaYering
to order the dinner. and, folding
his arms, stared out of the window,
his face sagging once more. He
was still a young man. not more
than f0rty.fve, but in spite Of his
1--we Of outdoor sport he showed q
more consistent love Of eating and
drinking in flabby muscles and
pouches under the eyes 1t was an
amiable, rather weak but stubborn
face that had been handsome III
youth when his eyes were bright
and clears skin covered firm mus
Giles. and il would be handsome
again when years had compelled
him 10 diet ard his already faded
hair had turaed white; his fea
lures were regular and hisnfgure
wellknit under its premature accu-
mutations.
lie produced flask from his
pocket when the waiter had dis
creetly turned his back. and their
ico-water might have passed for
cold tea
"Think I'll come to the point" he
said You know he we'll enough
not to mind anything say"
Clavering glanced up from his
oysters in alarm. There's just
one question won't discuss" he
said sharply.
Oglethorpe stared You don't
mean to say you're interested in
her? So much the better! And it
strikes me you can't have any OBJ
lection to discussing her with. me.
I'm her father, amt ~"
Her father-are you talking Of
Janet?"
Who else? I'm worried as the
devil Have been ever since I got
in this morning I'd telegraphed
was coming, and when l got to
the house Molly told me that
mother. wanted to see me at once
and posted down there. 1t was
about Janet, and you know more
about it than | do"
Il suppose know what you
mean But it turned out all right.
70 happened to meet me, not
man who might have annoy
OF course she shouldn't
aiken such a risk. but what
Oh do with these fappers?
re all in league together aud
~ might as we'll let them go their
.tile pace. Il won't last. They'll
soon be older, and l don't suppose
you intend to play the heavy father
and lock her "
NO, b. "a ike damn well to
get he lied Mother told me
Pr /; ST ms she made
r." ierrys last night. making
r' III some lady you had with
as conspicuous as herself.
= g. Vane was there and carried it
lraiSht to mother. Mothers no
fool and had already got on to this
younger generation business and
given fanny one or two tongue
lashings. but she never dreamed it
had gone as far as it looks. Roam
ing the streets alone at one in the
morning! She'd undoubtedly been
drinking last night-Godl I've a
notion to take a switch to her.
And ! suppose she was pretty well
lit the night you picked her up.
I've never seen a hint of it. JAN
ny's spoilt enough. Her mother