The Coolidge examiner., 1932-09-16
Old Fool.
q,
BY PHILIP L. KETCHUM

dow, and he heard Tony bang the
door and call out greeting, but he
didn't move. -. &, -; j..
Tony said: 81 got tagged . for
over-parking today. Jim, That's
the third time this month" -.-.-
Jim nodded and went on looking
out the window.
Tony" he said, i've had bad
news" His voice was curiously fat
IL didn't hear a word you said.
I'm sorry"
Whats troubling you, Jim?" he
asked. Anything can do? You
know how | feel about you"
Yes, | know, Tony. But you
can't do anything. Nobody can"
For a moment, Jim Peters hest
tated.
"Shelia's dead"
"Whatl'' The younger man re-
coiled as though from a blow. "You
you don't mean" L..
Jim Peters nodded and turned
back to look out the window.
at was an automobile accident"
Jim said at last. "She was alone,
driving out the Robuck road. A
truck struck her car at Sixty-sev-
enth. 1t happened-just like that.
"Where-where did they take
herr" Tony asked.
Jim Peters turned around. "They
took her home, Tony. I've just been
there. couldn't stand it. | had to
come away"
Tony nodded. He stood up. His
face was drained white of blood
and he seemed unsteady on his feet.
This is awful, jim. Awful-for
you"
For you, too, Tony. You liked
her"
"Yes-I liked her"
Both men were silent. They
looked at each other, hardly know
ing what to say.
Its all over" Tony breathed.
Jim Peters nodded. Yes, it's all
over. You know how feel, Tony.
| feel just like you do-and you feel
just like me. For you loved her.
too, didn't your"
Tony looked down at the floor. His
shoulders dropped. what difference
does that make now?" he groaned
And how could /? You loved her
first, Jim. And you've been like a
father to me-"
Jim Peters nodded. THAT just 1t.
was too Old" he whispered. And
looking out of the window, he said
aloud:
TONY, don't you want to see herr
Her mother Is all alone with her.
ought to go-but / can't. viii you
go. Tony?"
Tony Caldwell nodded. ''I-I'n
go, jim" He crossed the1room and
opened the door. He closed ii be
hind him softly.
After Tony had gone. Jim Peters
stood for while looking out of the
window. Then he crossed the room
to the telephone and gave a mum
Der. A moment later he said:
"Shelia, is that you? This
is Jim. Listen. Tony is on his way
over TO your place. He has, some
crazy idea about your being dead.
Yes, dead. Oh, just be
good to him. Shelia, and promise
me one thing. . Don't tell him
| called you. It's. just
joke"
He hung up the receiver, abruptly,
and hurried into the next room.
Most of his things were packed. The
trunks could be sent for later, of
course. and the few things that he
needed most he threw into suit.
case. Once he paused to look into
the mirror and to examine his face
quite closely. He had never admit
ted that he was getting old. 1t was
only when he realized that Tony
loved Shelia that he had suddenly
become conscious of his age. Tony
seemed just like a kid and he had
never felt the difference in their
ages. But there was a difference
Shelia was twenty-five. He was al
most forty.
Outside he caught a cab and was
driven to the Pennsylvania station
He climbed out, walked inside, and
bought ticket. He started for the
gate, reached it, passed through and
started down the trains when he
heard his name called and turned to
look back.
A girl was trying to break past
the barrier. She was running to.
ward him. arms outstretched, face
radiant. And then irrespective of
everyone, she was in his arms. sob.
bing. and calling him an old fool.
"Shelia." Jim Peters asked, "what
are you doing here? Where's Tony?
Didn't he"
The girl nodded against his chest.
"He told me, Jim. But Tony, he's
just Tony. And you're-you. And
your story was so absurd. IL"