Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1926-09-24
Tom Was Not a
Loafer

BY JANE OSBORN

from over Bayview wayT' que
ried Rodney scornfully, and even more
scornfully-"That loafer"
Alice Harlowe flushed with indIgna-
ton and embarrassment. In the first
place, younger brother, not quite
twenty, had no right to discuss his
sisters friends In such manner. A
few minutes before as they sat, rest
ing after strenuous half hour to.
gether on the tennis court, Rodney had
asked his sister with whom she In
tended going to the country club dance
the following week. Alice had said
as nonchalantly as she could, "Mr.
Sackett," and then had followed Rod
ney's scornful comment
81 don't see why you call him a
loafer," said Alice. Besides, being
loafer doesn't prevent his dancing
very nicely and being perfectly
charming escort"
mo" said Rodney with some ex-
element but being loafer who
never has done n lick OF work in his
life makes man undesirable as
sutton of yours"
"Sllly," said Alice, with blg-sisterly
patronage. but what makes you
say Tom Sackett Is loafer? IL he
doesn't hove any business 1t is
doubtless because he has lot of
money. He's keen golfer, reads
everything worthwhile and knows
everything anyone needs to know
about farm management"
"All know IL that he hasn't cent
to his name. He borrowed money to
get through college and instead of
going ahead with some sort Of profes-
sion or business he's just dumped
himself down here on his rich old aunt
who supports him In luxury while he
goes around acting like millionaire"
ut seems to me you know quite
lot about Tom Sackett,' said the sis
ter "but really, I'm not Interested"
But Alice really was concerned.
For since she had consented TO 90
to the country club dance with Tom
Sackett she had had several very ten.
der letters from him and had received,
on numerous occasions, enormous
boxes Of flowers fresh cut from the
Sackett greenhouses.
Alice had no plans for the remain
der of the day that could not be post
pOned, so when Rodney left her to
go back to his books she found an ex-
cuse to take possession Of the fam
lily car for the afternoon and start
ed forthwith on an amateur detective
expedition.
She stopped to call on the middle
aged splnsters whose house stood
across the highway from the Sackett
estate She knew that no great love
was lost between these sedate ladies
and their more opulent neighbor
As she sat for while with them
she deity led the conversation to the
Sacketts
Strange that man like Tom
Sackett,' said she, SHOULD be willing
to live on his aunt's bounty"
Just waiting around till he lands
his helress," shifted one Of the host
esses. well, whoever gets him. Is
welcome to him."
81 imagine he's pleasant enough"
said the other sister In an effort 10
soften n harsh speech "but he does
seem to be dreadful lOafer."
AS soon as she could politely do
so Alice left and went on to the rec
tory, and from the rather cosby
young clergyman and his wife gath
cred little more opinion of the same
.nI 4 pt. oh. I...lI ..I
Of her brothers. friends walking along
the highway and asked TO give him
lift
Rodney was telling me about
Tom Sackett," she began. Imagine
being willing to give up all idea Of
work just because your aunt has
money"
Yeah" quoth the young man.
"Tom's a nice chap. Don't know as
blame him. Think I'd do the same
If | had n chance. That's swell
place his aunt has" And that was
all the satisfaction that Alice got from
that source.
As she drove up the roadway that
led to her own comfortable home Alice
spled Tom Sackett sitting in his own
or his aunt's roadster at one side Of
the driveway, apparently waiting for
her return He jumped from the car
and stood to help her to alight Alice
tried to be well-bred enough not to
show her sentiments toward him. But
the look Of disappointment In Toms
handsome face showed her that some
thing In her manner had warned him
of her feeling.
He led her to secluded spot In her
own garden and there asked her to
marry him. But before she could ac-
cept or refuse or put him off he OK.
planned his position.
~ borrowed money to finish col
lege," he said; borrowed u from
outside, because my aunt wouldn't
lend lt--she would have insisted on
giving It. Then when / was through
my aunt made me fair proposition.
She offered me a position to come and
work for her for a year--to manage
her estate, and the rest Of the time
to do Just what she wanted me to. In
return was to have my keep and n
certain salary. Well / accepted be
cause ! knew she needed me and
needed the money After have paid
back what borrowed shall have
thousand dollars left, which IS Just
the capital / need to start IN on chat
irrigation plan my roommate and
dOped out. So you See"
you are certainly not a loafer-'
said Alice. "And ! think ! would
have said yes even though you
were"