The Press., 1904-02-25
Cupid Ammo
Domini
By RICHARD
BARKER SHELTON
Copyright, 1905, by 7. C. Mcclure

Clifford Worthington Todd was lone
some. Indeed as he sat disconsolately
on the veranda rail swinging his short
legs he could not remember a time in
the whole course of his eleven years
experience in this vale of tears when he
had been so utterly alone.
Three days before his father and
mother had started for Ohio to attend
the wedding of DR.. Todd's favorite
niece, and Clifford Worthington, given
his own choice of accompanying them
or remaining at home with Aunt Eli
nor, had chosen the latter course.
As a general thing, to stay at home
with Aunt Elinor in charge of the
household was about as near paradise
as one could hope to get. Aunt Elinor
was young and pretty. and full of fun
and, moreover, understood you. She
wasn't forever saying, Clifford, it is
time for your nap" or Clifford, what
dirty little boy! Go and cleanse your
self at once" She would go to walk
with you in the pine woods, and she
didn't mind how many pine needles
you threw over her. She would go out
in the bay with you in the naphtha
launch, and she could run the engine
as well as Tarpey. She would read
most delightful stories to you from a
book with red and gold binding, and
she knew just when you were hungry
and smuggled you plate of tarts from
the cook. In Clifford Worthington
Todd's eleven-year-old mind Aunt Eli
nor held first place. yet as he sat on the
veranda rail he gave utterance to his
most lurid oath, prolonged and dole
full "Oh. geer'
Yesterday afternoon a schooner yacht
with glistening black hull and trim
white sails had come into the bay and
dropped anchor opposite the Todd cot
tage. A gig had put out from her, and
q tall gentleman had disembarked at
the little pier which ran out from the
Todds' back lawn. This gentleman had
seemed to know Aunt Elinor very well.
She had introduced him to Clifford
Worthington as Mr.. Caverly.
The three had sat on the veranda,
and Mr.. Caverly had taken great inter-
est in Clifford Worthington's conversa-
ton. When Mr.. Caverly discovered
that Clifford Worthington was pos
sessed Of some guinea pigs and that the
said pigs were roaming about some
the woods at the end of the road, Mr..
Caverly evineed sudden interest in
guinea pigs. He gave him so cents to
catch them and bring them to the We
randa for inspection.
Clifford had had a wild chase after
them, but finally. after he had brought
them back, struggling and squealing
and himself perspiring, he had bumped
into Mr.. Caverly, who was making
across the back lawn to the pier. At
the corner of the house stood Aunt
Elinor, her face white and what looked
like tears in her eyes.
AS Clifford Worthington reached her
he heard her call: ''TomI Oh, Tomw
But Mr.. Caverly strobe straight to the
pier and was rowed to the yacht. Aunt
Elinor had gone upstairs, and Clifford
Worthington had spent stupid after
noon with the Seymour boys, which
ended in fight.
This morning had been no better.
Breakfast was a sorry affair, with Aunt
Elinor sitting opposite, choking with
every mouthful of toast and dabbling
her eyes with her handkerchief. After
breakfast she had said:
81 think you'll have to do without me
this morning, old chap
Her tone had a forced cheerfulness
about it more doleful than groans.
Still dabbling her eyes. she went up
stairs, and Clifford heard her lock the
door of her room. 1t was all very dis
heartening.
For a time he sat on the veranda
Then he decided to seek Tarpey. Tar
pey was an eighteen-year-old mulatto
gardener, man of all work and engineer
OF the launch. Clifford found him prop
ped up in the shade of the boat house
reading some paper covered literature.
Tarpey rose as he saw Clifford, made
some remark about fixing the pansy
bed and strobe leisurely away, leaving
the book behind. Clifford picked 1t up
and began to read 1t was filled with
the adventures of Blackboard, the pi-
rate, and his trusty lieutenant Yard
arm Bill. 1t was bully reading, and by
lunch time Clifford had read the book
nearly through and was burning for
adventure.
Aunt Elinor came down to lunch with
very red eyes. She said they'd spend
the afternoon in the woods, but Clifford
said he had rather finish something he
was doing. Aunt Elinor looked re
lieved.
After lunch he sought out Tarpey
and divulged his scheme Tarpey laugh
ed and secuted it. Then Clifford showed