The Tomahawk. [volume] (White Earth, Becker County, Minn.) 1903-192?, 1925-10-01

got that there was anyone but HIM
self listening to this bewitching.
black-haired beauty. Breathless, all
ears and eyes, he hung upon every
word, delighted in every gesture.
Again and again the girl responded
to enthusiastic encores, until finally
she begged for rest. ITS just dear
Of you people tc be so kind and ap-
preciative, but I'm most awfully tired
now. Please let this be the last one;
it's about Molly and Jimmy Baker, and
mamma has tucked them into their
two little beds and kissed them good
night. So you mustn't make any
noise when I get through, cause you
might disturb them"
And then she took the part Of little
Molly, listening, in the dark bedroom;
also Of bold little Jimmy, frightening
Molly with q story of big, fierce lion.
During the reading she cried out, In
the terror-stricken lisp of little Molly,
Jimmy, Jimmy, what's that over IN
the corner" Pausing an instant for
Jimmy's answer, her eyes fell upon
Mr.. Smith. And so absorbed was he
that he hunched up his shoulders and
roared. His vocal effort was a good
imitation Of the terrifying challenge
Of the king of beasts. On a lonely
desert, or in a dark bedroom, it would
have inspired unspeakable dread; but
there, in the brightly lighted church
its effect was otherwise.
Everybody heard the noise, and ev'
erybody roared-with laughter. Ever
the girls quick answer for Jimmy
could not save the situation. Poor
Jack! A burning crimson mounted
swiftly to his cheeks and enveloped
his ears. And ere the first poignant
pain Of embarrassment had passed the
reading was ended. People on all
sides were rising to their feet, express
ing their pleasure in a storm Of ap
plauSe.
Jack stood in misery by his chair,
his legs begging him to run, his judg.
ment commanding him to remain. And
George Thompson, a-grin with glee
patted him on the back. ooh, I say,
old man." he laughed, don't look so
sheepish; you're lion, you know"
Then the girl, hurrying from the
platform through the congratulatina
crowd, stood before him. "Oh, 1t was
perfectly splendid Of you to come to
my rescue when I was so sorely. In
need Of something scarey," she said.
1T made everything so much more
realistic"
Mr.. Smith was greatly relieved. ITS
mighty good Of you to put 1t that
way" he answered, "after I made such
a-beast Of myself Let's go out on
the steps; somehow l feel that all
these people are wondering If I'll do it
again"
And so, during the interval before
the ice-cream-and-cake part of the
program, they stood together under
the stars.
Tonight" said he, "has been the
happiest Of my life. I WONDER" he
added, thoughtfully, IF 1t is the Gus,
tom in Louisville, KY, for a girl to
accept fellows company home from
a church social?"
Beauty Is not an inherent quality.
But let the incandescent glow Of SEN
timent shine upon a shoestring or a
chrome, and then say, If thou darest,
that 1t is not beautiful.
George Thompson had never thought
upon these things, and George was
puzzled. Why had Jack sat quietly
in his chair for full hair hour, gaz.
ing contentedly at something he held
in his hand? And what was the some
thing? He had fondled 1t; had held
1t close to his eyes, had contemplated
1t dreamlly at arms length. And now,
before the wondering gaze Of George,
he pressed it tenderly to his lips.
George was in bed, supposedly
asleep; but cautiously, silently, he
pushed back the covers, and leaning
carefully forward, looked over his
roommate's shoulder. In Jacks hand
was something white. But George
was more puzzled than ever.
For 1t was only a little strip of
cardboard, with nine words printed |
neatly thereon.