Middletown transcript., 1905-08-19
AT THE END OF THE CORD
BY HOWARD MARKLE HOKE

that had been advertised LOT SAFE, anu
having closed the deal to his satisfaction,
he began to stroll through the pleasant
village until the next train should leave
for the city. Thinking Of the many other
transactions Of the same sort he expected
to make and of the triumphs he hoped to
achieve in business by reason OF recent
legacy from wealthy uncle, he was
trudging vigorously forward when he
heard sobbing, and a short distance from
the mouth OF lane he saw red-whte-
and-green kite tangled in the branches OF
an apple-tree, and boy looking up at it
as if the catastrophe had robbed his life OF
all happiness then and Of all hope OF it
thereafter.
In his own boyhood, kites or ANYTHING
else mechanical or scientific had no charms
for Whitney, and he had not found any IN
them when he grew up, but the lads dis
tress went straight to his heart, and he
was soon pulling at the white cord. Be
yond the swaying of the limb and the
untimely fall OF few rambos, there was
no result. Then he promptly climbed the
fence, and in ten minutes restored the
kite to the boy who childlike, was max
ing off with it without thanks when
Whitney stopped him.
ssHere, kid" he said, "I'll help you fly
it, but we'll 60 out into the street where
there is more breeze"
The kite rose bouyantly into the June
air, and just as it did so hand was laid
on Whitnev's arm. He found beside
him a trim little man Of about fifty-tive,
with iron-gray hair curling from under
his broad-brimmed straw hat, and a
piquantly youthful and genial smile upon
his face, which was cean-shaven and rosy
with health.
Il saw it all, my good sir" be cried,
land it did my heart good. "
"Oh, that was nothing at all" Whit
ney answered. II suppose you are the
boys father? r.
mo, ! am not" the little man an
swered, with twinkling. Il am Christie
pher Finn, and if you have ever heard Of
my work with kites, you will see why !
am 50 delighted with the way you helped
the lad"
Now, manlike, Whitney did not wish to
have a stranger think that he had been
touched by boys mishap, and, having
no idea that trifing pretense could have
any other result than momentary pleas |
ing of the old gentleman, he replied that
he had not only been wild over kites
when he was,a boy himself, but that his |
enthusiasm was still flying in spanking |
breeze.
81 cannot tell you how glad | am to
hear that" Christopher Finn said, with a
boyish laugh. 81 meet a fellow kiteman
SO seldom that my meeting with you is a
rare good fortune. How would you like |
to come and look at my kites y
Still seeing no reason why he should
not use up his time in pleasing the old
gentleman, Whitney said he would like
nothing better, and they walked together
out into the country. They came pres
emily to an UNCOVERED stone house, Of
ample size and architectural beauty, set
in extensive grounds about a mile from
the village, and Christopher ushered
Starlamb into the gateway with tile elated
ceremony Of honoring distinguished
guest.
As they walked up stone path, Whit
ney made discovery that lifted the in
cident from mild boredom into steady
and exhilarating current Of human inter-
est. In gown Of fluffy pink, young
woman sat in willow rocker upon the
wide porch, and presenting to the pages
of book face that would have more than
repaid the author of them for his toll.
Whitney hoped very much that Christie
pher would forget his kites and present
him to her, but, having no eyes for any
thing SO commonplace as yonng woman
in pink or any other becoming tint, he
hurried his guest around the house to
detached building that proved to be his
kite-shop.
There he was delightedly pointing out
to Whitney the comparative bouyancy
and drifting qualities Of sugar, triangular,
octagonal and tetrahedron cells, when a
voice called Father from outside the
open doorway.
Christopher scowled, but Whitney had
observed pink light in the doorway and
made hopefsl guess as to who was re-
fecting it.
II am expecting caller this morning,
Mr.. Starlamb, and shall have to Co."
Christopher said, reluctantly. But
trust you will not 60 away until / have
shown you my big new kite upstairs.
Will you wait?
"Of course I WILL" Starlamb accepted
eagerly, noting that the doorway was still
pink with promise. Il would not think
Of going without seeing your new kite.
1t would be severe disappointment"
They went out and with a few words Of
explanation, Christopher introduced his
daughter as casually as he would have
used any other ordinay expedient but
Whitney needed only one glance into
Elizabeth Firms alert countenance, and
only one flash Of her black eyes, to know
that she was very far from being ordinary
as an expedient or in any other capacity.
She extended her hand to him in very
frank and friendly way and inquired if
he would be pleased to walk about the
grounds until her father should return.
He was about to accept in the sprighty |
and capable manner OF the real Whitney
Starlamb, who by wealth, position and
experience was amply able to hold his
own with the prettiestand liveIiest young
woman, but he checked himself in time
To the Firms he was not the real Whit |
ney Starlamb at all, but Young kitenlan
who was supposed to have his mind con-
stantly fixed upon scientific riddles and
to regard strolling with young women in