The Elbert County tribune., 1906-11-01
THE END OF
THE GAME

In a direct line with the seven
teenth hole of this particular golf.
links there is a most alluring patch'
of shade under a group OF hardy OLD
naples. The grass grows rank and
tangled. Tiny crickets are apt to
take flying leaps from tall spears of it
and land on your face if you have the
hardihood to stretch out at length on
the ground. as this man was doing.
He was tanned and wore scotch
checks and he was scowling.
Anyone would have understood why
the man scowled If he had glanced at
the young person sitting against the
biggest maple. She, too, was tanned,
but the crimson of her cheeks shone
through the brown and her eyes
were the kind that danced. Also she
had a particularly heavenly express
sion which showed that she had been
enjoying herself tormenting the man.
Anyone could see that fellow Ste
vens was crazy about you." persisted
the man Indignantly. Tit was con-
spicuous'"
Was it?" asked the girl. meekly.
You see, / wasn't far enough re-
moved from the center of the situa-
ton to enable me to get the general
effect. One loses the perspective be-
ing right on the spot, don't you
think?'"
Il don't know what you're trying to
say" said the man. little sulkily.
Only don't see why you let Stevens
make such a donkey of himself"
The girl let the light of her eyes
shine upon the speaker. 1t is not
always so easy" she said meditative-
ly TO prevent man doing that"
Meaning mel" retorted her COM
panion. hotly. I'D like to know II
I'm not justified in objecting toto
such little episodesl Haven't a
right"
Not the slightest in the world.
broke in the girl in smooth little
voice.
The man hit at an inquiring grass
hopper with golf stick and looked
miserable. well, it isn't my fault if
i haven't" he went on. 81 think so
much of you that forget the feeling
isn't reciprocated. And 1 can't stand
seeing other fellows interfering.
Why do you do it, Letty?"
Your remarks are so compL sAted..
objected the girl. Il thought IL was
Mr.. Stevens to whom you were object
1ng-and now it seems that I've done
something, too. When men come nm
to talk to me at parties do you want
me to put out protesting hand and
say, Away with you, Back! Back,' or
something like that? I'd do almost
anything for such an old friend as
you, Sam!"
He aimed another blow at tho
grasshopper. "Oh, enjoy yourself:"
he SAID, grimly, Il know am furnish.
ing the material, but / can't helm IT
l can't hide my feelings. Now with
you-why. nobody on earth can tell
what you really think or feel"
"lsu't it wonderful of met" said the
girl, admiringly.
But, persisted the man, you act
ed as though you didn't mind Stevens,i
hanging around. Why, anyone would
have said you liked it,"
Il did," asserted the girl.
The man sat up abruptly. His hair
stood on end from the effects of the
grass and he sat looking at her while
varying emotions swept across his
race. Il think it's time for me to
quit, he remarked, rather sternly.
m going away. l can transfer to
Denver just as well as stay here In
Chicago and I'm going to do 1t. ri
try to forget YOU
The girl looked little alarmed for
he spoke as though he meant it but
she laughed again.
You won't like it." she said, "And
you can't forget me-
AT least / can give an imitation Of
= man forgetting you," he said.
The young person against the tree
put on an elaborate expression of sor.
row. How we all shall miss you !,
she said in society tone of yoice
| But ne did not fight back as he lad
done for the last two years when she
teased him.
"Therell be Stevens" he reminded
her, picking up his clubs.
She raised her eyebrows. 'I don't
know that Mr.. Stevens represents the
sum total of human happiness to me-"
she remarked. Aren't you going to
play the eighteenth hole? Why are
you putting up your clubs? You
aren't going to start for Denver on
the next train. are your"
See, here! Do you want me to
stay in Chicago?" he asked her thun.
derously. "Yes, this is the eleventh
time I've proposed to you, Lefty. And
I've done it differently each time.
too! It's my inventive genius that
the president of our company especial
ly commends In mel"