The Spokane press. [volume] (Spokane, Wash.) 1902-1939, 1907-07-11
The Daily
Short Story


on a messy bank below a rustic
bridge, which stretched across a
clear. cool stream Hear them"
she said to herself, as laugh
sounded from the nearby golf course,
hear them laughing out there in
the boiling sun, when they might
be resting in this lovely spot. How
love this place! And" shaking her
finger at an inquisitive squirrel,
how hate golf. hate it, therer'
With her mind relieved she OPEN
ed her book, skipped the description,
began with the quotation marks and
was lost in her story.
Pat, pat. pat! 1t was the sound
of golf ball bounding among the
leaves. Celia raised her eyes just
In time to see 1t roll into the creek
almost at her feet. There was
cracking of twigs.
Pardon me-" said someone
Don't disturb YOURSELF" as the girl
struggled to her feet. How beau
tiful it is down here. Judge you
do not care for golf"
Il" began Celia. There was
something in the strangers eyes
that tempted her to tell the truth,
but habit was too much for her and
she said with more empasis than
the truth would have required, II
love it,"
came late this morning. I shall
see you again." and, lifting his cap,
he was gone.
Handsome was Celia's decision
as she returned to her book TOO
bad he plays golf"
At luncheon they were introduced
"Oh, are you Jsck Leighton" ex-
claimed Celia. Brother Bob has
talked so much to me about you that
feel that 1 ought to know you"
The following morning they golfed
and baked in the sun. The second
morning they baked again.
"Oh, dear" sighed Celia, on the
evening of the third day, my face
is blistered and my cold cream is
almost gone" Then she leaped from
her chair and danced excitedly about
the room. I'll do it, she confded
to the bed post. "I'll do it! Why In
the name of goodness haven't
thought of it before?"
The next morning while she and
Jack Leighton were burning to a
FRAGILE in pursuit of golf balls she
did 1t. She stepped into a tiny hole,
twisted her ankle and fell Imply to
the ground. He sprang forward and
lifted her in his strong arms
"Oh, I can walk, really I can, Mr.
Leighton; please let me down.
Does it hurt much?" he asked
solicitiously, after he had half car
ried her to the veranda
tNo-oo-o, not very much" she
answered truthfully. Il think it is
nothing serious"
well cut out golf for the rest of
the month";" declared the man. with
fine decision, and not so much disap-
pointment as she had feared.
After that both mornings and aft
ernoons were spent In the charming
little glen. He knew a great deal
about nature and told her wonderful
stories about the ferns and rocks
and bits of greenery that trailed
about the ground
you live the woods, don't you?"
she asked I'm mighty glad for
I'm not quite spelling your good
time with my stupid ankle"
You couldn't spoil my good time
If you tried-not in that way" he
said with a smile Then, seriously,
II have a confession to make, I
well. I have been acting the lie. The
truth is I don't go in for golf and
such things. I hate to stew in the
hot sun. I'm sorry 1 have deceived
you.
But" hesitated Celia.
well, you see, I have always
hated any fool game that keeps a
man sizzling when anyone but a ma
tural born idiot beg your pardon,
Celia"
The girl blushed at the sound of
her name.
"And you played just for my
sake"
mot exactly he confessed, meet
ing her eyes squarely, rather for
nv own I love vou Celia and TIL