Jasper County Democrat, Volume 22, Number 21, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 11 June 1919 — The Girl In the Case [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

The Girl In the Case

By A. W. PEACH

»Lt. 1»1>. by the McClure Newspaper Syßdloata.) Ames had long been the butt of the men rooming in the Rand apartments —termed the ’’roost for roosters odU" by the would-be humorist of the inmates. He was so homely that a man could, in the phrase of another humorist, look at him once and ever after feel satisfied with his own countenance. Antes took the Joking good-naturedly —in a way that seemed to bint that he had something up hte sleeve; but that something never appeared. He was a drummer, traveling through the southern states; and his visits to the apartment, where he retained a room, were always at the holiday season when social festivities were at their height. It was Ames’ hard luck to be forced to sit around while the others discussed their plans and made their preparations for dances and celebrations of a like nature. He was Induced to go to a few, but it was plain that he did not enjoy himself. The girls looking upon him were inclined to let him decorate the chairs. He was a poor conversationalist except with men; so the other sex never learned to know his sunah(ny nature. The conclusion wus reached that he was doomed to be a bachelor for life. Beattie put It thus to him: “Jeff. v\e’ve done the best for you we could, but you’re simply non grata to the girls. I’m sorry for you; now take me, for instance —” And he went on to laud himself. It was all done In fun. but keen eyes saw Ames’ face change; and It was plain that -at last he had become

wearied of the old joke. He drew from his vest his watch and casually snapped it open. “I’m tired of hearing you fellows shout about your girls and feel sorry for me. Now, here’s something for you —look over that picture, and if you can match that face with a prettier one, I’ll pay for the dinner,” he said quickly, but smilingly. Laughter greeted him, but the watch was passed around; and each face changed as it came to look upon the face. Starr, who was the last of the circle, was startled as he saw the fair girlish face appear to his gaze. He guessed that her eyes must be dark —probably a brown; her lips had the curve that is ever inviting; and her hair was coiled in heavy masses. He handed the watch to its smiling owner. “Jeff, you have one on us. Now, there’s just one thing for you to do;, you must have her at the big dance!”

A chorus of approval greeted him, Out Ames shook his head. “Bring her here for you handsome chaps to run away with —well, hardly!” Question after question was asked him, but to each he had a smiling reply ; and with each answer he was able to settle up some old scores. Finally, he said: “You’ve referred before to the chap whose mustache was so red that when he appeared on the street people thought his nose was bleeding; and you’ve put me in his class. Just mark it down that a handsome face isn’t all there is to it.” There the matter rested for a week. Ames had a sweet revenge, for the rest of the men were determined to see the One Giri. At last, however, Beattie, with his usual lack of tact, got results. “I don’t believe there is any such girl —she’s a fake!” he announced. The others in the room saw Ames’ face redden and then whiten. -The silence was a bit oppressive until Starr said quietly. “Bring her to the dance and show him up, Jeff.. We’ll make him stand the dinner if you do 1” Ames seemed to read in their faces their doubt —the doubt that had risen at this suggestion in Beattie’s thoughtless statement. . HiS"' homely face broke into its pleasant smile. “She will be there; and, Beattie, I want you to make good when I have shown you up.” Then he turned and left the room.

The rest felt sorry for Beattie, for a dinner to that hungry crowd was usually a serious affair, as far as a man's pocketbook was concerned, if not In other ways. As to the question whether or not Ames would appear with the Mysterious Girl, there was some doubt. Those who knew him well realised that he meant business; the others were confident that he would fall to appear, During the next few days Ames was often asked about the girl; and hte answer was always easy and confident. “He has something up bis sleeve, all right.” Beattie said, "but no girl as beautiful as that would ever tie up with a man with a phiz like Ames’.” The night of the dance came. The orchestra played their preliminary concert and then swung iuto the dance music, but no Ames and the Girl appeared. At 9 o’clock Beattie smiled, at 10 o’clock he was grinning, at 11 he was ready to laugh, when he turned in time to see coming In the door the tall figure of Ames and with him a slight, wrapped figure whose face, peering smilingly over the collar of Tier cloak was indeed the winsome face of the Girl la the watch. “There’s where I lose two weeks’ salary,” Beattie groaned to Starr. “You deserve to lose more,” was the answer as Starr hastened to Ames, intending to be at least second applicant for a dance. Ames' triumph was complete. When he swung into the lilting music of the next dance, the eyes of the hall were upon him and her. She danced beautifully, so much so that she more than made up for Ames’ awkwardness ; and he seemed to be Inspired to the extent that hte large feet assumed a rhythm unusual to them. Her picture had perhaps been a bit complimentary; but she was beautiful —of that there was no doubt; and every one of the doubting males who danced with her made up his mind that he would get in on Beattie’s dinner. The evening ended with no Issue in doubt When Ames bade them good night and escorted her from the hall, It was admitted that he had won a triumph ; and the only despondent face in the gathering was Beattie’s. The next day in Beattie’s room, where the clnns had gathered to “rub it In,” appeared a hallboy with Beattie’s mall. Sourly silent to the remarks going his way, he opened bls mall, read the first letter with wondering eyes and then turned to them. “Say, will you listen to this? It’s from Jeff. ’Dear Beattie—The bet’s Off. The girl I brought is Norma Hale —one of the dancers with the musical play, “Gay Eyes.” I cut the picture from a photograph of the chorus. I hired her to come with me. The money looked good—l know I didn’t bore her. You shoved me into this, and I guess the joke—if it is one—ls on you. Yours, Jeff.’ ” “And the dinner, too,” Beattie added solemnly.

With Him a Slight, Wrapped Figure.