New Britain herald., 1926-12-16

With me it's different. There's
 nobody to give boot, except my
 aunt, whether l ever come back or
 not" When. he wanted to know,
 did Jim figure on being called to
 camp?
 | Cant tell. Maybe next week and
 maybe not for a month or two." Jim lit a cigaret and perched on the edge
 of the bed. Of course, he admitted,
 it was hard, this going away stuff.
 "But what's fellow goin' to do?
 Better enlist voluntarily than be
 drafted. And I've got no earthly
 excuse, being in perfect health and
 with nobody particularly dependent on me, for not going"
 No, agreed Dick, one couldn't be a stacker. Just the same, for young fellow in your position it's damn shame! Lord!" he calculated and then drew 8 long breath, If I had a mother like yours 1t sure would hurt like hell to have to leave her."
 Its goin' to hurt me like hell, Dick, to leave Mollie: don't you think it isn't" Jim told him, and there was a little catch in his voice that brought sympathetic moisture to the others eyes. And it's goin' to hurt like hell to leave Prof and the girls"
 He turned away from Garfield, got up and walked over to the win dow. The cigaret stub, shot from his fingers, described a glowing arc in the darkness as 1t descended to- ward the flower beds. By the way" he said, his back still turned, "how do you like my kid pals?"
 Dick Garfield laughed softly.
 Some pals, old man." he made answer after moment, "some pals, I'll say. I've fallen in love with both of 'em-actually in love-"
 Jim Elwell looked at him curious ly and Dick continued. My ac- quaintance with girls is not what you'd call extensive and those I do know are mostly of the flapper type. To meet girls like Rusty and Betty, after several years in big city, is like coming out of a field of sun- flowers into a garden of roses. Your kid pals strike me as being regular honest -to-God girls, one hundred per cent American, which means sweet and wholesome and natural. Any man in the world ought to be proud to win either of them," he finished earnestly.
 Jim chuckled delightedly.
 By heck, I'll have to tell 'em that" he declared with emphasis.
 During the ensuing three weeks the men of the Elwell family ana their visiting helper were busy eight hours a day on the big scenic con- tract. The long evenings. however, Saturday afternoons and Sundays found the young people just as busy enjoying themselves.
 If Dick Garfield had any choice In lis liking for the two girls 1t wasn't to those who stood on the | sidelines. He was Rusty's escort one night and Bettys the next. Jim. of course, remained the same old Jim. Both were his pals, equally be- loved, tmpartially treated. Ana those who looked on saw Dick fol- lowing the same schedule as that laid down by Jim.
 Both boys, realizing that many lonely evening was in store for the twins, treated them like princesses and responded to their every whim. , When Dick left, a shadow seemed to fall for a while on the whole family.
 q couldn't" said Mollie to her husband, tell for the life or me which girl he prefers, If either. Prof, who had asked for her opinion, admitted he, too, was in the dark. |
 Both girls" Mollie went on, like him immensely. I'm sure of that, But whether either is in love with him is another matter. l do think, | however that under other circum- stances his stay here might have re- suited differently"
 Mighty few boys would have