1935-12-20 — Page 11

THE CHINA MAIL, FRIDAY, DECEMBER 28, 1935

Yarn Of The Ponies

(Continued from Pape 9)

"There's no use kidding our selves, old pal” he said, "and-wr might as well come to an under- standing right now. We're both in love with May. Am I right?"

Tom sighed.

"You can say it again. Bill. How right you are ***.

Bill shrugged his shoulders. "There's only one thing we can du, then." he went on, and that's! to leave it all up-to May herself. Suppose you and I shake on a bar- gain. When she gets back we'll ask her to choose. If you're thr lucky guy. I'll step right out of the picture. But if I am, T'll expect you to do the same.

"In other words, it's six. and even for both of us Are you willing to settle that way 7**

Tom thought for a moment and then agreed. When May returned. they asked her the question im- mediately. Her reply came just as swiftly. Without the slightest hesitation she picked Bill

"I thought you knew it all the time. Tom," she said "I've bees in love with Bill ever since I came to work for you two. The only thing that worried me was that he was going to wait five or 10 years. to tell me.

"I like you lots, Tom, but liking isn't loving. Now why can't the three of us always be the same. pals that you and Bill were before we met? Bill and I are going to be married but we can't let that Interfere with our friendship, car

The blow hit Tom harder than you might imagine. Strange as it may seem, he didn't even attempt to take it good-naturedly. He stood up, clenched his fists, looked from Bill to. May, grabbed his hat, and rushed from the office.

And he left behind him two lovers who were just a trife wor- ried

A few days later Tom phoned: Bill and arranged to meet him in

a nearby restaurant. As soon as they were seated, Tom came right; to the point.

I don't have to tell you, Billi that I'm sorry for the way. I acted the other day. But the thing hit me right between the eyes. 11 knew she liked you, but I always thought I had the edge. When I found out how wrong I was just couldn't take it standing up-like I should have."

Bill attempted to say something. but the other man stopped him quickly.

"Let me say what I have to 525 Bill," he continued. "and then you can talk I've got to get this off my chest-and the quicker the better.

The way things stand now.. J can't go on with our partnership.. I'd be thinking of you and May all the time, and it would be just a little too tough. I simply can't go on with it.

"I hope you and May get all the breaks you deserve. But without me Count me out We'll figure the best way to split the business; well shake hands--and we'll call it a go.”

Naturally, Bill attempted to argue He pointed out this act and he pointed out that one. But Tom could not be shaken. Bill finally gave it up.

se

"As long as you feel that way, Tom, I suppose there's no arguing with you. But I really think you're making a big mis- take *

They turned to a disenssion of the split There were plenty of good customers on their list, but Mrs. Clarke was their best bet. They began to talk about her, and Bill finally offered a definite pro- position

..

"Tell you what I'll do, Tom,” he proposed. You lost out with May, and. I'm willing to lose out on this angle. Give me Mrs Clarke as my starting point, and I'll turn over all the other customers to you. I'll have to develop an entirely new hist, which means that I'm prac- tically giving you the business. But with Mas: Clarice on the line, I imagine I can get along until the new customers, roll in. How does it strike you2′′

Tom: Ilked

There Shonka

their

-WB-1-16 YOU'LL JUST

LET ME-

EXCUSE ME-

I DIDN'T KNOW

THAT'S

WHAT I

CALL LONG-

· DISTANCE 'PHONING

YOU WUZ 'DHONIN'-

WHAT? YES-1

SAI

WILL HE

LEVER-

FINISH?

Rosie's

BEAU

GEO MCMANUS

I'M GOING TO MOVE

OF THIS APARTMENT

BANJOS

BEEN

W FER

Bringing Up Father

CHE PARION. ME-I DIDN'T KNOW YOU WERE ON~-~- THE PH

O HOURS

BUT-Y

SE

YES-YES

I THINK.

I'M SORRY-I SEE YOU ARE STILL BUSY

ON THE.

'PHONE-

my

I BEG YOUR.

PARDON-I “DIDNT KNOW

BUSY-

YOU WERE

YES-

R HIM TO

YES-MISS JIGGS- YOUR-FATHER.

IS IN HIS OFFICE- BUT. IS STILL BUSY ON THE’PHONE

PLL COIN,

ANYWAY-

I

FOR GOODNESS SAKE- DADDY- WHO IN THE

WORLD ARE YOU TALKING

TO FOR THE LAST TWO HOURS?

I'M NOT TALKIN' TO ANYONE- I'M LISTENIN TO YOUR MOTHER

-HSIN

WA

USAY YOU HAVE - SURPRISE FOR =-ALL RIGHT- RCHE DARLING- BE WAITING OR YOU TO CALLI HIS EVENING-

WON'T SHE BE SURPRISED WHEN SHE FINDS OUT I CAN PLAY THES BANJO?I'VE BEEN TAKING LESSONS FOR THREE VE: WITHOUT KER KNOWING TT-

IT'S THE GYPSY IN ME

THE EAR

PLEASE CECK THIS

WHEN

CALLION MISS