The Dolores star., 1906-11-02
THE END OF
THE GAME


naples. The grass grows rank and
tangled. Tiny crickets are apt TO
take flying leaps from tall spears OF 1t
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 II 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 yon
think?"'
Il don't know what you're trying to
say" said the man. little sn,kily.
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 a man doing that"
Meaning mel" retorted her COM
panion. hotly. I'D like to know II
I'm not justified in obiecting toto
such little episodes! 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. We'll. 1t isn't my fault it
i haven't" he went on. 81 think 40
much of you that I forget the feeling
isn't reciprocated. And can't stand
seeing other fellows interfering.
Why do you do 1t, Letty?"
Your remarks are so complicated"
objected the girl. I thought 1t was
Mr. Stevens to whom you were object.
ing-and now 1t seems that I've done
something, too. When men come nm
to talk to me at parties do YOU want
me to put out a protesting hand and
say, Away with you! Back. Back!' or
something like that? I'd do almost
anything for such an old friend a.
you, Sam!"
He aimed another blow at tha
grasshopper. '.Oh, enjoy yourself;s
he SAID. grimIf. Il know am furnish
1ng the material, but can't helm II,
can't hide my feelings. Now with
you-why. nobody on earth can ten
what you really think or feel"
"1sn't 1t wonderful of mel" said IN.
girl. admiringly.
But" persisted the man, you act
ed as though you didn't mind Stevens,
hanging around. Why, anyone would
have said you liked it."
I did," asserted the girl.
The man sat up abruptly, His hair
stood on end from the effects Of tbe
grass and he sat looking at her while
varying emotions swept across his
face. Il think it's time for me to
OUT, ne remarked, rather sternIv
I'm going away. / can transfer tn
Denver just as well as stay here In
Chicago and I'm going to do II. ri
try to forget you"
The girl looked little alarmed for
ne spoke as though he meant II. 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 Won .
she said In society tone of voice.
But he did not fight back as he lad
done for the last two years when she
teased him.
"There1l be Stevens" he reminded
her, picking up his clubs.
She raised her eyebrows. sT 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"
"You needn't shout!" she objected.
DO you want me to stay in Chi
cago7" he persisted, in now-or-never
tone.
The young person under the maple
looxed rather desperate at the ho.