The broad ax., 1926-09-11
An Accidental
Decision
By RICHARD ROE

- peratedly, ''it's silly to say that
you don't know whether you like Hal
or Jim better. II sounds feeble-mind-
ed, and anyway never could see how
you could think Of Jim when Hal In
around"
well. don't care. / don't know"
answered Edith stubbornly. Il know
Hal Is better looking and lots more
fun in some ways-and he certainly
spends more money than Jim, but
always feel that you can depend on
Jim through thick and thin"
The two girls were waiting for the
boys to take them to a football game.
When they appeared in Halls car
there could be no doubt which boy
was the one to attract a girls eye.
Hal in his fur coat and with his hat
at a slightly rakish angle exhaled
gayety and success. Jim had no fur
coat and the sweater under his over
coat did not give his somewhat stocky
figure any added grace. Hal claimed
Edith as a matter Of course, and Tes-
sic listened to their merry talk and
frequent laughter with a pang Of
envy. Edith was lucky girl.
The huge throngs of enthusiastic
people, the excitement of the game
and the brisk and sunny day put them
all In a merry mood. They cheered
and laughed and enjoyed themselves
thoroughly.
Jim bought sandwiches made Of the
plebeian "hot dog" and Tessie looked
disguised until Hal seized his and
ate it with avidity and then topped
1t off with sip of lemonade for sy-
erybody from a nearby stand.
Halls dashing generalship showed
itself later when he took them out
Of the crawling line of cars on the
main highway by a side road where
they could speed up and save time.
Dusk had come and the road was
empty. As they passed little house
tiny figure ran out There was a
screeching of brakes as Hal wrenched
at the wheel. but when they stopped
child lay motionless In the road
behind them.
"Oh, my God" groaned Hal, and
Tessie prepared to faint against Jim
until she discovered that he was no
longer there. So she gave up the
idea.
Jim had already reached the child
and Edith was close behind him.
HE Is not dead he said; II can
feel his heart beat"
A man ran out Of the house and
pulled distractedly at the child in
Jim's arms while tears ran down his
face. de mudder is gone" he re-
peated helplessly again and again.
Jim carried the limp and piteous
little form into the house and Hal
thankfully took his suggestion to take
the father In the car and hunt a doc
tor and the child's mother. This
was a. situation In which Halls leader
ship seemed to fail him. Tessie went
with him to supply feminine aid and
comfort-and Hal needed 1t.
Jim and Edith took Off the baby's
clothes and wrapped him In a blanket
few drops of stimulant between the
little lips. Suddenly he stirred and
opened his eyes. Want my ball." he
said, and then feeling another lack
that touched his masculine pride
''Want my pants" Edith laughed
softly, with tears running down her
cheeks. She wrapped him closer In
the blanket, and after a moments
drowsy contemplation Of her he fell
asleep.
Jim found some wood out OF doors
and built up the fire In the stove until
the red light from the open door filed
the room and made giant shadows On
the ceiling.
The warm bundle In her arms and
the baby hand under her chin stirred
strange thoughts in Edith and many
things became clear to her. Women
have yearned over warm, living bun
dies In the freight since the days
when. the fire was campfire. Jim
bent down to put another stick In
the stove and Edith noticed the pow
erful line Of his shoulder under the
sweater and the thick, smooth line OF
his hair against his neck She would
have liked to put her hand on 1t and
there was something thrilling In the
thought
Jim and she In the frelight-and
the baby-she flushed nj the thought.
Jim turned just then. I've been saw
ing up for long time, and I've got
enough to buy house." he said with
apparent irrelevance. They were si-
lent after that, and the freight and
shadows wove q spell around them.
There was an abrupt sound of
brakes and Hal and Tessie burst IL
with the doctor and the baby's mother.
The doctor woke the baby and made
him cry, and after a careful examina-
ton Hal heard with huge relief that
the child was not hurt at all.
halls gayety returned suddenly and
he insisted on leaving generous sum
OF money for the parents. TO Tessie's
surprise Jim gave an equal sum. "Td
Ike to-" he said quietly I'm answer to
Halls protests.
Hal and Tessie sat together on the
front seat going home and sang and
laughed and were wildly happy. Edith
and Jim were very quiet, and present
" she slipped her little ast into his
overcoat pocket and found his hand.
ITS all right about you and me-" abe
said shyly.
But Jim wasn't surprised. II knew