The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1930-01-23
She Was Tired
of Jim
By H. LOUIS RAYBOLD

er had made it impossible for Jim to
lay aside enough to justify the as
sumption Of new burdens. o.!
, At first they had made plans for a
somewhat indefinite future, but of
late they had grown-Marie especial
1y-to seize the present and let the
days that were to come take care of
themselves.
And then one sunny afternoon when
ian advance spring breeze perfumed
the air they had quarreled.
eyes, like you, Jim," walled Marie
finally, "only-only I think 1 am tired
of being engaged. Yes, it's dreadful
to say, but how much better to find
out before we are unmarried. So
here's your r-ring!p
Stupidity, Jim held out his hand for
the shining bit of jewelry. "Of course.
DEAR" he said soberly, "it's worlds
better. rll-I'll try to take it sensi-
bly,. Now, let's go home"
If, after Jim had left Marie, he
wondered if any other man had been
the cause Of her detection, he tried to
stifle the suspicion. To be sure, any
girl would have grown weary long ago
of this monotonous waiting. Well, his
sole duty now certainly lay with his
brother.
As far as Marie was concerned no
other man than Jim had ever claimed
even one tiny thought. Yet there was
another man in the offfng-a tall,
sleek. not unattractive youth, who had
many times eyed Marie admiringly as
they assembled together in the eleva-
tor to their respective places Of en-
ployment. And that man, Bert Rog-
ers, had decided to meet Marie. Six
days after Marie's engagement to
Jim was broken he accomplished his
wish through the agency of a fellow
Stenographer of Maries.
And on the day after he met Marie,
Bert drove her in his small but mile
devouring roadster far up along the
Hudson. There was nothing slow
about Bert.
Marie, left at loose ends Of her own
making, found life far more exciting
now than it had been with Jim. Jim's
money had been limited. Bert's ap-
peared to be ample.
Seats at the latest comedy; supper
at the most exclusive little restau-
rants; summer picnics on distant
beaches; midnight dances at softly
lighted. CLASSY floored dance halls
Marie went the pace and didn't stop
to wonder when-or where-it would
all end.
Arrived the night of the infantry
ball, the one annual extravaganza
she and Jim had permitted themselves.
Bert tossed tickets for it into her
lap as they sat together on a grassy
bluff overlooking the Sandy Hook
panorama.
mot crazy about it," said Bert in
his blase way, 'but we might as well
take it in"
Other years Marie had not fused
unduly about her clothes. Poor old
Jim had thought that whatever she
wore outshone the costumes of all
the others. Bert, Marie realized, was
considerably more critical. There
fore she drew on her rainy-day bal
aHce and proceeded on a shopping ex-
petition.
Bert's flowers were lavish and
snowy, and, Marie couldn't help but
think. not nearly as fragrant as the
modest bunch of violets which had
always come from Jim. 'Pinning them
On, she sighed as she gave final sur
vey in the mirror. Would Jim ever
have recognized, in the sophisticated
image which met his gaze, his little
Marie?
For some reason or other, nothing
went just right. Bert could not dance
at least, not in that sturdy, swing
ing way she had learned to love in
Jim. Also, she didn't care for the
silly compliments Bert whispered in
her ear as he held her rather too
closely. Jim never would talk as he
danced.
"Odd,, after ALL" thought Marie to
herself, to be dancing with the man
who was giving you the time of your
young life, and recalling the man you
had grown tired of.
The crisis came at intermission.
Half concealed by a screen of palms,
Bert threw his arm around Marie's
shoulder. That instant, Marie knew.
Knew that it was Jim and not Bert
who could bring her happiness in the
future.
"Take me home at once, Bert" she
insisted coldly. And Bert, inwardly
sneering at the girl who wouldn't
'play up" as he called it, was forced
20 acquiesce.
Although the hour was late when
Marie found herself at home and
alone, 1t was not too late, she told
herself. nervously, to find out If Jim
was still free-free to become bound
again. Quivering, she stood at the
telephone.
"Yes-yes-it's Marie. Oh, Jim,
could you come over for five minutes?
Something to tell your
Fifteen minutes later Jim stood in
the doorway, and straightway forgot
that a waiting taxi outside was run
ming up a steep record. All he realized
was that Marie was holding out both
arms.
"Do you mean you aren't tired of
me, after all, dear?" Jim wanted
to be sure.