The Yale expositor., 1905-03-10
T HE EPITAPH


copyright. 1901. by r. C. McClure.l
1t was quite like Taber. Another
man would have marched stifiiy 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 unreasonlng
wrath. Instead he had looked at her
quizzically and said, "Of course you're
quite sure of this% In a questioning
tone which implied his disbelief, after
which he sat In logged silence on the
top step, apparently bordering over
the matter in the calmest of manners.
His composure irritated the girl.
From her low rocker behind the vines
she studied the back of his head and
bis broad, square shoulders. She sud
denly discovered that the head was
very shapely and that the shoulders
suggested comforting, manly
strength, and with this dlscovery-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 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
CRY. One little foot tapped the floor
and she bit her lip.
what are you doing?" she demand
ed at length.
Writing" said he laconically.
Writing what?' she asked.
"Epitaphs," said he. I'm trying to
compose a suitable one to fit the oc-
casion. Wait a 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:
Sacred to the memory of Love, who |
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 n precarious existence of some |
two years, departed this life Aug. %. |
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 APP
prevail" he observed. Perhaps you'll |
like this one better: Here lies Love,
foully murdered by the green eyed
monster jealousy"
There was a long silence.
isn't this last the most truthful of
the threeT he asked.
"Jealousp she said. "Do you mag |
inc for a moment I'm jealous? Your
conceit does you credit"
Taber smiled imperturbably.
81 hoped you WERE" he said simply.
'Indeedw she exclaimed. "Why on |
earth should 1 be Jealous?"
"Well," said he slowly, as If he were |
bordering matter Of the gravest I'M |
port "she's q rather stunning girl, and |
her getup-isnt that the proper term?- |
is n wonder, besides which, you know, |
she is we'll fixed financially In her own |
right. Agatha, II you had gone auto |
MODELLING 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. |
"Defensev' he said. ooh, pardon me, |
but you misconstrue. I'm not making |
excuses for myself but for your lack |
of interest in my doings 1t is surpris-
ing, most surprising, Agatha"
Agatha laughed scornfully.
Ingenious to the last" she observed. |
Taber sighed.
81 see plainly that my epitaphs are
misfts," 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 |
from the step and stood by the girl.
Cant you be the least bit JEALOUS
of herT he asked.
NO" she said shortly.
"Nor of me?" he pursued.
"Nor of you," she said.
"And you meant all you said about |
our not being suited to one another"