Smyrna times., 1931-09-30
WEEKLY SOCIETY STORY FOR
EVENING ROUND THE LAMP
READING TO WHILE AWAY
TIME AFTER DAYS CHORES
'Dot Was a Peach, But-Elaine," /"
an Interesting Short Story Writ
ten by III. Louis RaybOld


spring, tra-la-" carolled Jim
Horton more joyfully than tune
fully as he ranSacked his bureau
drawers, threw what they held into
two gaping suit cases without re-
gard to the proper order of con-
tents "F'lOwers that bloom"
Cut it out" snapped his room
mate, Jerry Ide, GROSSLY. "As you
know, they have nothing to do with
the case. Also. it is particularly
unrighteOus for a man who has
passed his mid-years to gloat over
one who has not. | suppose"
He paused. "Well, hang it all, l
suppose you'll ask Dot to marry you
this trip"
Jim ceased warbling and looked
thoughtful. Easier said than done,
me lad. I'm not fixed the same as
you are. A nice fat job waiting for
you in your dads office when you
graduate. How can | ask a girl to
wait until | get a practice? Besides,
what makes you think | was keen
on Dot? Always considered you
had first innings there"
Thought so myself" said Jerry.
THAT is, until recently, when she's
sort of sheered off from my atten-
tiOnS. Grew up with her and trav-
eled with the same bunch. Would
please our parents and all that
sort of thing Lord, | envy you
running down and seeing her. Put
in a good word for me, if you have
ually.
iii do that little thing" an
swered his friend, as heartily as he
could manage
Spring vacation was some twelve
hours away, and only the poor
devils who had fiunked were
groaning about it. Hours of cram
ming for the make-ups were ahead
of them instead of hours of leisure
Dot was one of the crowd who
came down to welcome Jim and
the others, among whom Jim was
the only comparative stranger.
He found himself at once in
Guided in all pla.s for the com
ing days and every spare moment
was straightway dated up. At
home, in tile bosom of his family,
he began to wish he had been a
trifle more reluctant 10 fall in with
all schemes for inevitably he and
Dot would be thrown constantly to-
gether, and just how much could
he see Of that winsome person with
out falling head over heels in love
with her?
Which went to prove that already
the trick had been turned UnfOr-
tunately, considering that in rash
moment lie had pledged himself to
another'S cause!
On the day before his return to
college an Out-Of-dOOr picnic had
been arranged-One of those more
or less imprOmptu affairs where the
crowd was to be transported by au-
tomobile to a distant beauty spot
considered ideal for the occasion.
Jim. half-hOping. half-fearing what
the day would bring, settled down
beside Dot in her little roadster
and gave himself up 90 the enjoy
ment Of the moment
Later, after the feast which al
ways accompanied an affair of this
sort, the time he had dreaded ar
rived. The crowd scattered and
by some delicate process of choice
and elimination he found himself
alone with Dot. She had seated
herself comfortably on the pine
needles. her back cushioned against
q tree, her slender hands clasped
in her lap, while the gentle spring
winds played with her hair.
Il am going to tell her l love
her" resolved Jim. love her to
death Y
Suddenly she reached out her
hand and picked a tiny white
flower almost hidden in the tree
roots. The flowers that bloom in
the spring." she whistled bOyishly,
and with the refrain came remem-
brance Of his parting promise to
Jerry-tO say a good word for him
with Dot.
He cleared his throat deter
minedly. "Well," he said. back
to the old grind tomorrow. And to
good old Jerry. A dandy fellow, too.
Thinks the sun rises and sets in
you, Dot"
Dot flushed then she lowered
her eyes. rs that so, John Alden ~
she asked, mischievOusly.
Me? John Alden?" he murmured
Fancy! A confirmed old bachelor
like mel" He laughed miserably.
Next morning he burst in upon
Jerry. to find that individual blow
ing smoke rings at the ceiling.
How do, Jim?" he said.
Listen, Jerry" said Jim desper.
ately. Il want to get it right off
my chest. | said the good word
for you to Dot. For heavens sake,
now, get busy and follow it up.
I'd like to see the matter settled
one way or the other"
Jerry stared THE deuce you
did, he exclaimed. "Well, now
l am in the devil of a mess. You
see, while you were going l got a
bid to a dance i'm town and while
there | met an old flame and-weu,
/ fell for her hard. Result, am
engaged for keeps Dots n peach
but wait till you see Elaine! -
Jim's knees wabbled so sud-
denly that he sat down. Then he
jumped up and grabbed the tele-
phone. "Give me long distance. Hello
hello - yes - CedarhurSt S0I-R-