The Springdale news., 1905-03-03
T HE EPITAPH

lCopyright. 1904, by T. c. McClurel
 It was quite like Taber Another man would have marched stiflly down the path and banged the front gate. But Taber still sat on the top step of the piazza and placidly surveyed the changing colors on the clouds in the west
 Agatha Vane was annoyed. She had expected her words would crush him or at least rouse him to unreasoning wrath Instead he had looked at her i quizZically and said, "Of course you're quite sure of this?" i'll a questioning tone which implied his disbelief, after which he sat i'll dogged silence OH the top step, apparently pondering over 1 the matter in the calmeSt of manners His eomposure irritated the girl l From her low rocker behind the vines she studied the back of his head and his broad. square shoulders She sud denly discovered that the head was very shapely and that the shoulders suggested comforting manly strength, and with this discovery-oh daughters of Eve-she cudgeled her brain for some cutting phrase which would penetrate the armor of his self control and wound his pride.
 Taber, all unconscious of this. idly watched the sky and thoughtfully blew clouds of curling smoke into the still air
 Presently he drew from his pocket pencil and a number of old envel- opes, on the back of which he began to write rapidly. Now and then he paused to read the scrubbed lines and chuckle softly.
 Agatha grew momentarily more an- gry. One little foot tapped the floor and she bit her lip.
 What are you doing?" she demand ed at length
 Writing said he laeonieally.
 'Writing whatf" she asked
 "Epitaphs." said he I'm trying to compose suitable one to fit the oc- casion. Wait moment See if any of these will do'
 He deliberately assorted the envel- opes and turned halfway round on the step that he might make the best use of the fading light in the west In solemn voice he read: | fa hn If | b1 died from the effects of chill. aged two years, three months and eleven days.''
 Agatha was silent.
 Heres another" said he cheerfully. He lifted the envelope to the light and read slowly:
 Under this stone rests Love, who, after a precarious existence of some two years. departed this life Aug 25. The only wonder is that he managed to hold out as long as he did"
 He glanced quickly at the girl Her lips curved scornfully.
 Sorry it doesn't meet with your ap proval,' he observed. Perhaps you'll like this one better: Here lies Love, monster Jealousy"
 There was long silence.
 Isn't this last the most truthful of the three?" he asked
 ''Jealous"' she said. Do you imag- inc for moment I'm jealous? Your conceit does you credit
 Taber smiled imperturbably.
 Il hoped you were" he said simply. Indeed" she exclaimed. Why on earth should I be jealous?'
 Well" said he slowly, as if he were pondering a matter of the gravest i'm port, she's a rather stunning girl, and her getup-isn't that the proper term ? is a wonder. besides which. you know. she is well fixed financially in her own right. Agatha, if you had gone auto mobiling with a man as fascinating as the Mortimer girl is should have been green with jealousy. You might do as much for me-" he ended in hurt tone.
 If that is your defense'- she began. "Defense" he said "Oh. pardon me. but you misconstrue I'm not making excuses for myself. but for your lack of interest in my doings. It is surpris- ing, most surprising. Agatha"
 Agatha laughed scornfully.
 Ingenious to the last" she observed. Taber sighed.
 Il see plainly that my epitaphs are misfits," said he. Love was slain by an automobile and girl with red hair. The girl with red hair seems to be the fatal part of the combination"
 He looked thoughtfully at the sky for several moments. Then he rose