Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-05-21

of meadow ground, with the woods on one
side of 1t and low stone fence between
1t and the hill sloping up toward the hotel
We approached and dropped both balls
on the green. l took my putter and Jimmy
went back to Aunt Maria instead of stand
ing by the hole.
II glanced at him as he moved away and
caught him giving the western man one
long, solemn wink. 1 noticed, too, that he
was fumbing at the strap of the pocket in
the caddy bag. l had put my clubs in the
mans bag, so that one caddy could carry
for both of u.s.
Il gripped my putter and sized up the
hole. Suddenly heard shrek behind me,
and whirled around. For one instant / saw
Aunt Maria stand petrified by terror. A
big blacksnake was writhing at her feet,
and Jimmy was hitting at it heroically
with a cleek. There was another wild
Shrek. Aunt Maria discovered her legs.
So did We She grabbed her skirts firmly
on both sides and hoisted them with fine
disregard of conventional prejudice. Then
she started for the hotel. You would never
believe she could strike such pace, Bobby.
1t was phenomenal Her white stockings
simply twinkled over the green. The UNI
brella was abandoned at the start. Her
hat went at the end of the first ten-rod
dash. She cleared the stone fence like a
bird and flew on up the hill, letting OFF
dimiuendo shrieks as her breath gradually
gave out. Jimmy ran after her, yelling as
though the snake were in hot pursuit. They
disappeared over the brow of the hill. My
cndpeTOn na6 altogether Idlleu was
left to my fate
Nancy paused.
Bobby made no remark.
Il suppose" said Nancy, reflectively,
after a rich silence-'I suppose a western
man never loses his fine direct simplicity
and assurance, even when Harvard and
Heidelberg have done their worst for him.
On the whole, l believe I like it. 1t seems
to relieve one of all responsibility In dealing
with him. Now, a man born to Harvard
or Heidelberg might make the fatal mistake
of asking permission on starting discus
SION
Bobby's under jaw suggested bad temper
Nancy's funny stories often AFFECT him that
way She has reduced it to a science.
"Of course he proposed"
Nancy smiled sweetly.
"Oh, yes, indeed-very nicely. 1t would
have been pity to miss it. ! didn't accept
him. l had a mighty longing to do it. just
in order to see how severe a shock western
nerve would stand, but l feared compiica-
tons. We went back to the hotel most
AMIGA bly,. Jimmy met US on the steps. his
grin was thing to conjure with
je put in?' he asked.
1.-The western man laughed
"It was Miss Reynolds hole, Jimmy,
he said.
He went away on the noon coach. Aunt
Maria came down to see him OF and found
him so radiant that she lapsed into murky
gloom but she cheered up after Teddy led
her aside and told her that the enemy mad
proposed and been refused Teddy~was in
a position to know. Still, after talk with
Jimmy, his spirits scared superior to ms
misfortune. He even confided to me that
he'd have given another fifty to see the
blacksnake loft Aunt Maria over the fence.
Where's Cartwright now?" Bobby asked,
irrelevantIy
Married. He fell victim to an English
widow just when Aunt Maria was IN the
thick of the fray. Pathetic. wasn't it,!
No one keeps you for me when I'm
away" Bobbys tone suggested distinct
sulkness. Il suppose you had all sorts OF
proposals while you were south this WIN
ter"
Eleven Nancy announced, promptly:
'Horrid awkward number, wasn't it? L
couldn't make it twelve without encourag-
ing the elevator boys hopeless passion.
Still. the season isn't over yet, and
Call it twelve, Nancy
Bobby was smiling again, but his eyes
We're in earnest.
Narcy's little air of gratitude was touch
ing.
Now that's sweet of you" she said. eff
fusively; III feel so much more comfort
able about the record but, Bobby She
leaned toward him contidentialy. Her lips
and dimples were mocking, but there was a
soft little light in her eyes. Bobby often
wondered whether she looked at the other
men so when she refused them.
Bobby" said the laughing lips, you are
very generous and very brave; does it ever
strike you that you are also very rash?'