The Tomahawk., 1925-06-04

Sauc Tie ueSlTc tO lOOk neT DeSt anu
to enter into the spirit of the occasion.
To appear to be not jealous was not
enough. She would root jealousy
from her heart.
So when the time came she curled
her hair and arranged 1t with all the
art that she could command. She put
on a soft, white summer gown and q
picture hat with roses. She was
drawing on her long gloves when
Richard arrived.
Il was prepared to use force, II
found you backing out. I have some
news to tell you about myself-some-
thing that's made me very glad, and
l want you to be glad with me-"
Her heart sank. Was he going to
tell her Of his engagement to Bertha?
She turned pale face-to him.
Cant you guess, Mary?"
But she was dumb. He leaned to-
wards her and took both her hands
in his.
"Ive got the position I wanted In
the office with Jenkins & Bart-and
it's kind Of partnership, Mary. It's
easily worth twenty-five thousand
year."
She drew long breath of relief and
looked at him with shining eyes.
"Pm so glad-so glad"
You can't be so glad as l. because,
my dear" he hesltated. Her sudden
little flame of JOY again sank.
you see didn't want to speak until
I was sure"
Even then she would not believe. She
had turned her head away. Was it
Bertha-oh, was 1t Bertha?"
you see I've loved you always
why Mary
Then she turned rapturous face
toward him.
How they reached the appointed
place she never knew. She walked on
air, surrounded by ring of gold that
enclosed one other person. In her hap
piness she called upon the sunlight to
see, and upon the west wind to wit
ness; on the flowers in the garden to
bear her company. Her eyes shOne:
A bright color came to her cheeks.
Richard, excited and triumphant,
looked at her adoringly, seeing in her
at once the woman Of his future and
the playmate Of his childhood. They
would show themselves at the contest
for minute, just to be philosophical.
Then they would go for heavenly
ramble in the woods.
The judges had decided to make the
award after mingling informally with
their tOwnspeOple, so there was no
ceremony, no drawing-up Of the con-
testants. People strolled about or
talked together in groups, as at gar
den party. Here and there girl was
seen whose heightened color betrayed
her consciousness Of being under scru-
tiny, for it was generally known that
the courteous judges, chatting casual
ly with their friends and acquaint-
ances, were all the while cleaning i'm
pressions which would be Of service
in making the decision. The occasion,
on the whole, did not seem favorable
to the setting-forth Of feminine
charm. Even Bertha, by becoming
self-cOnscious, had lost something of
her usual grace. Katherine's pretty
bow of a mouth showed disposition
to straighten, and Dora's infantile
nose failed to save the day for her.
AS for the young women whose charm
depended on pink ribbons, they had all
apparently chosen the wrong colors,
and knew it when too late. Only those
hopelessly out Of the running seemed
to be really enjoying themselves.
Richard and Mary stayed on longer
than they had expected. Both had
many friends, and JOY, even unexpect-
ed, Is powerful magnet. But at last
he put an urgent hand upon her arm.
Come DEAR" he whispered
1--WE might as well wait now. They're
going out--the judges. I want to know
whether it Is Bertha or Katherine
well know when we return-and
what do we care!"
But .yon were so enthusiastic last
week."
81 was only diverting myself during
a tedious period Of suspense"
1t was expected that the judges
would not remain out long, but half
hour went by, and they were still de-
batting in the little summer house to
which they had withdrawn. A feeling
of uneasiness began to make itself ap-
parent. Bets were cancelled. and re.
arranged again. No one seemed as
confident as at the opening Of the con-
test. At last the judges were seen to
rise, and then, two by two, they came
across the lawn, and took their places
on flower-decked platform. A sud-
den hush fell over the assembly. The
chairman waited until everyone had
come within hearing distance Of the
stand before making lis announce
ment, then. after reading the clause
In the will, he said:
1.-THE difficulties in the way Of fair
decision can hardly be appreciated by
those not members of the committee