Smyrna times., 1931-05-13
WEEKLY SOCIETY STORY FOR
EVENING ROUND THE LAMP
READING TO WHILE AWAY
TIME AFTER DAYS CHORES
'Halligan Won Millie Tilden," An
Interesting Short Story Writ
ten by Richard Roe

~ Millie Tilden decided that she
was destined TO be an old maid.
But" she reflected, ''it isn't as II
I'd never been asked. Tom did,
and he would be good enough for
anybody if he wasn't so dull"
Millie had saved five hundred dol
lars for a purpose which she
wouldn't tell, but after a birthday
she decided TO spend it in going on
a trip. She had a friend, Helen,
and after much deep discussion and
consultation of bank books, they
thought they would attempt a trip
to California in Miles three
weeks vacation. So Millie went to
the central ticket office in search
of information. She came back en-
thusiastic and excited.
Helen, there is the incest man
up there. He hunted up everything
and put down the price and added
it up, and he says we can do IT
easily on five hundred if were care
full. He has sandy hair and gray
eyes, and he took such an interest
in the trip-why, really, it was won
derful. | asked his name so we
could get hold of him again, and
ne said 'Halligan, just like that,
Well" she ended with a laugh.
you know l always did love the
Irish"
Helen and Millie went to the Of
fee together and asked all the ques-
tions over again. Then they went
home and thought up more ques-
tions to ask the next time.
AIillie lived in a little town called
Stonebridge, and came into the city
to work by train. One morning
she nearly collapsed to see Halligan
get on at her station.
"Gh, Helen" mourned Millie, "the
things / told that mantle whole
history of my life and how much
money I've got and, oh, everything.
Why, it will be all over town"
They were on the way to see Hal
ligan again and Helen was severe
with Millie. "NOw, don't mention
Stonebridge," she said. unless he
speaks Of it first"
AIillie, still suffering from shock,
assented meekly, but when she saw
him she felt suddenly that she could
not live another moment without
knowing the truth.
MIR. Halligan," she plunged in,
t"do you live in Stonebridge?'
And HalIigan, the amiable and
polite, answered curtly: You know
| do" and returned to a discussion
Of trains with Helen.
Poor Millie was limp and a few
minutes later when Helen left them
to make a lengthy telephone call,
she tried to defend herself.
Il did not know you lived in
StOnebridge," she said.
Il have lived there all my life"
said Halligan quietly.
"Well. then, did YOU recognize
us when we came in?" demanded
Millie.
i've known you by sight for
years." he said.
"Oh," said Millie weakly.
Presently Halligan offered her
yard or two of ticket to sign and
ollt 1lluCi.
Halligan looked at it. Il thought II
was Mary" he remarked, and then
turned a vivid red.
"Why, what do you mean?" be-
gan Millie amazed.
Poor Halligan. "About a year
ago." he said, getting still redder.
II stood behind you when you
signed your Communication ticket NJ.
Tilden' and / thought the NJ stood
for Mary. You had on a blue hat
with q pink rose and q blue coat
with a gray collar. You got ink on
your glove and said"
Il did not" interposed Millie
hastily, and then they both laughed
and Millie was pink, too.
"What ] can't understand" she
said, lis why l never knew you in
a little town like Stonebridge."
Halligan lifted his head and
looked at her. MY mother used
TO wash for your mother" he said.
"I've been to your back door with
the basket many time"
Blue eyes stared straight into
gray eyes for a long minute, and
then both pairs crinkled up with
laughter.
The girls went away-after sew
eral more conferences with Halli-
gan-and the trip was a huge sue
cess.
1t was at San Francisco that
Helen suggested sending Halligan a
postcard just to prove their grati-
tude for his efforts. "Of course.
he's probably forgotten u.s." she
said.
"Oh, do you think soY' asked
Millie, and for several minutes she
sat and looked into space while
Helen efficiently dashed off cards.
The three weeks passed and the
trip ended. Helen went out of
town and didn't see Hillie for three
months. When she got back she
heard a rumor that Miiiie was GO
ing to be married. She hunted
Millie down to get the truth.
Millie nodded "Yes, next month.
and we've got the sweetest little
place with a fireplace. OF course.
all my money went in the trip and
so we'll have to get things
slowly"
''But, Millie," interposed her
friend impatiently, "who are You
going to marry?"
And then Millie opened her eyes