Judge — August 27, 1921 — page 14: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

abroad. At the Foreign periodical counter he found Miss Deering, moved by a like curiosity. “Why, Mr. Benham!” She put out her hand and scanned him. “How well you look!” “Same to you, Miss Deering—if you are still Miss Deering!” He hated to let go of her hand. “Of course I am! What are you doing in New York?” “Just enjoying myself. Sort of vacation. Never been here, and wanted to see if the town is as big as they J “Do you live in Texas still?” “When I’m home. But I may get stuck on New York.” He was en- couraged by the welcome in her eyes. His natural diffidence left him long enough to add: “Stopping at the Hotel Pennsylvania. I wonder if you wouldn’t just have supper with me there to-night?” She hesitated a moment. “For old time’s sake perhaps I ought to! Where shall I see you?” “Tl be waiting for you at the ladies’ entrance at six o’clock.” “Very well. I'll come.” And she took his hand again as she left him. Benham was so elated over the engagement that clocks seemed to stand still. Walk- ing up the Avenue he absent- ly kept his watch in his hand. And he was at the hotel, all eyes, at four o’clock. His ner- vousness increased when he saw her enter. In the mean- time he had reserved a table in a corner by virtue of a tip that would have bought more than one dinner in Texas. “I’m a little green about ordering a meal in such a hotel,” he said as they took their places. “I wish you'd order just what you want, Miss Deering.” “But how about yourself?” “Me? Anything you order’ll do. I’m not hungry.” The dinner ordered, Miss Deering, to make conversa- tion, as Benham seemed toguetied, recalled incidents at the hospital. “You don’t seem to be the same person,” she said. “You’re so quiet! You know you were a difficult pa- tient!” She laughed. “I was a grouch. Devilish mean. I know it. But there was a reason for some of it.” And then in a burst at which he was himself amazed: “I was jealous of that chap Chal- mer!” “Oh!” She was suddenly serious. Drawn by R. B. Ft AND IT'S ONLY THREE MINUTES BEFORE TRAIN-TIME! “I thought you and Chalmer were going to marry—after the war!” “Oh!” Her expression did not commit her. “T suppose you've seen him since?” “Quite often. But not personally.” She smiled again. “How’s that? I don’t under- stand!” “I’m a movie fan. He’s a motion- picture actor, you know.” “Huh! Of course you admire him.” “Not particularly, even as an actor. I’ve no use for handsome men. Why, he has been married twice already! And do you know, I had forgotten his first name until I saw it on the billboards!” Benham perked up. “And you for- got mine too, I’ll bet!” “Oh, no! Yours is Tobia: “Then you couldn’t have disliked me—I mean because I was ‘a difficult patient,’ as you said—and as I was.” “Do you think I would be here if I disliked you? I have always ad- mired you greatly because of your bravery at the front.” “I say, Miss Deering, we’re going “4 to get better acquainted, I can see!” “Why not?” “Well, then, I wish you’d tell me your first name.” She mused a moment, and her eyes met his again. “I’m afraid I’m not living up to my name, Tobias!” “But what is it, please?” “Prudence.” “T just 1l-like that name. Pru- dence!” Benham was red again. “Mis-ter Ben-ham! M-i-s-t-e-r B-e-n-h-a-m!” A paging boy entered with a wire. Benham thrust up his hand, and the boy came over to them. Benham opened the telegram and after read- ing it, handed it to Miss Deering. It was this: “Benham No. 4 just in, flow- ing naturally five thousand bar- rels. We're going to name it ‘Tobias’.” (Signed) Sylvester Benham. “But what does it mean?” she asked. “It’s oil. It may mean five million dollars.” “Oh, what a lot of money!” “Money doesn’t mean so much to me just now. Do you know what I’m going to do?” “What?” “I’m going to wire my fa- ther to name that well ‘Pru- dence.’” Reckless Pruning By Puiuip B. STRONG O JUDGE wants to trim the taxes Which the people have to pay! Don’t you know, Sir, that’s half treason? Yet like an ad. I read to-dav You may answer, “There’s a reason” — Say! Yes, I own I’m with you wholly, That four-thirds you please me, quite; Since the scheme at present ruling Surely leads to sorry plight, Based on neither skill nor schooling— Right! For indeed ’tis reckless prun- ing As I know you will agree, Thus to saw the very limb off Of the taxed one’s money- tree, Where he sits, and with it him off— See? eae Sei x