The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1906-01-05
WHERE
BY
ENDgCOTT BARRY
FITTED "-''''
Copyright. 1905. by Z. s. Mcclure

Offering suggestions; his dancing was
Il cross between a prim walk and an
awkward skip; he sat on horse with
as much grace as he would have strad-
died an elephant. Moreover, his lack
Of conversational powers had given
him a reputation for taciturnity that
was far from hattering.
why OH earth Mrs. Saunders should
ask him down for the month | can't
sec" one Of the young women confidcd
to bronzcd young fellow as they sat
together i'll vine made nook of the
bread veranda one evening.
"Ch. that is the easiest part of the
equation" he returned. What sticks
me is why the deuce he accepted the
invitation" Nhcrcat they both laugh
cd
Hes the deaths head at the FEAST
said She.
ooh, he's harmless enough" her com
panon said easily. He doesn't at
tempt to do things unless some one sets
him up to it. He'd never have gone in
the water this morning if Vandecken
hadn't kept at him for an hour to come
along with US. He's game i'll Il way,
though. We didn't know he'd got be-
You'd his depth until he was half drown
CO. Thought he was splashing about
for tie fun of it. Not Il zip did he
make"
1T makes You awfully uncomforta-
bic to have such an incompetent per-
son about" said she. I'm always i'm
agining things when he's late at lunch
con or dinner"
providence has a watchful eye for a
certain class of Individuals" said he,
and thy both laughed once more.
Meanwhile at the other end of the
verGnda. Endicott sat on the steps with
Miss Wilmot If Endicott had been a
different SORT Of chap he would doubt
less have made desperate love to the
lady. But Endicott knew his limita-
tons, and, therefore instead Of telling
her ali that was III his heart. he sat be-
side her on the top step. twirling his
hat watching coyortly the changing eX-
preSsions come and go on her pretty
face, and wished most devoutly that he
were less of a duffer.
He was Z big, heavily built young
follow, with 1 frank, boyish face and a
laugh that was very attractive in its
genuincness. if you ever managed to
get we'll enough acquainted with him to
hear it, Miss Wilmot had heard 1t
many times when she was alone with
him, and it told her much of the real
man that lay beneath the awkward
rcticent exterior.
Just now Endicott's troubled gaze
was fixed on some ragged bits of red
cloud, the aftermath of gorgeous sun
set.
81 think I shall leave in the morn
ing" be said uncaSily.
But YOU haven't been here a week
| yet" she said in surprise
81 know" said he, but somehow 1
don't seem to fit. If a fellows going
to be success ut a house party he
should do many things well. Now,
do everything badly. 1 simply slow
up everything l enter into and spoil all
the fun for the rest"
Nonsense" she declared.
Its So" he maintained. I'm just
duffer pure and simple, and there's an
end of it. SO long as l stay, of course,
out of courtesy to me, they'll drag me
into all these things, even if it does
spoil their fun"
"You shan't talk So" she said.
Come, it's time we were getting ready
for that moonlight sail"
IF there's 50 much as q ripple on the
water I'm sure to be sick" he observed
gloomily. That makes it very cheer
| full for the rest"
You have an attack of pessimism,"
she laughed as she arose. Salt water
| IS the best cure in the world for that
malady."
They went down the veranda togcth-
or. At the door they found Mrs. Saun-
| ders talking eXcitedly to her guests,
who were grouped about her.
ITS DREADFUL" she was saying. "Alt
the servants have left, even to the sta
ole boy, and they're strictly quaran-
tined. Poor Mrs Browne is frightened
nearly to DEATH
What is it?' asked Miss Wilmot as
they came up.
why, the youngest Bovine child has
diphthcria.'
At the door they found Mrs Saun-
| deis.
Endicott was stroking his hair
| thoughtfully.
"rhose the people that own that new
| place back by the pincs?" he asked.
yes" said Mrs. Saunders. Dread
| full, isn't it? Her husband is in the
west, and she's nearly frantic. There
| isn't Il soul about here that they c.n in
| duce TO go there"
When tie party started for the pier
Endicott stepped up to Miss Wilmot.
Il don't believe I'll 50 back tomOr-
row." he whispered. Perhaps l can
fit, after ALL
"Of course you can," she said and
| thought 10 more of his words until
| they had reached the end of the pier.
| 1t was then they found Endicott was
missing After much shouting and a
| hurried search about the Immediate
vicinity they started out without him.
1t was nearly II when they returned.
| Mrs. Saunders met them on the We
randa.
where do you suppose Ted Endicott
has gomez" she cried.
"Where?" chorused several voices.
"To the Bownes. He is going to stay
there until they can get trained nurse
from the city"
Endicott stayed even longer than
| u IL, u
died. Then when the quarantine of the
house was ut an end he came back to
the Saunders cottage to get his traps
before he went back to town.
The house party made hero of him.
= The men spied him coming up the path
md carried him, protesting loudly, or
ers into the hall, where