The sun., 1908-10-18

Va .0ONOA Is WI OOCR
who cannot stop to eat II. and just at the
moment Rufus Daboll could not stop.
In his oonsternation he did not even wish
TO stop. but Il was because he did not
think q 10.
1nvoluntarily clutohing with both
hands the rich repast for which he had
exchanged his lofty serenity In the en-
pyrean. he started with appalling rapid
ity toward his seemingly inevitable doom
In the abyss below-a mere atom OF
cosmio dust caught In the resistless
grasp Of gravitation and ht food for the
laughter Of gods.
The events Of his past life came back
to him with lghtninglike rapidity
while he fell, as they are said to come
to those who are drowning, and among
the many things he recalled SO hastily
one mental picture shone resplendent.
1t was a glorifed vision of the oosey
corner at Tie rear OF the parlor of the
boarding house In which Miss Maize Jep-
son was tho star boarder. Here among
the cushions he beheld himself In all the
dignity OF his Sunday clothes-lavende
trousers, frook coat and purple tie-beside
his lady love In equally elegant attire.
shielded from the gaze Of the other
boarders by a large and showy screen
which the landlady had thoughtfully
purchased when Miss Jepson announced
her expectation Of soon being engaged.
The desire to reenact this tableau once
more before his imminent extinction
became 80 intense that although articu-
late utterance was impossible at the
moment. he formulated the wish distinctly
in his mind at the instant he struck the
surface OF the sea.
The next moment Miss Jepson coyly
murmured "This Is 80 sudden but for
time Rufus Daboll said nothing. The
sweet calm OF the cosey corner was ex-
tremely grateful after the tlmultuous
experiences Of the morning and he wished
for nothing but period Of quiet.
Suddenly Miss Jepson Strengthened up.
prodded by a puzzling recollection.
sWhatever was the matter with you
this morning. Mr.. Dabollf' she inquired
sternly. as one who would hot be likely
to believe the answer.
Rufus Daboll hesitated. At length he
said:
sits queer story. DO you believe in
goddesses, Mazief'
Not Oh the stage. DON'T was the
prompt response. "I've seen EN- In some
o. them spectacular drammers.'
EMO more did till this morning. said
Rufus Daboll. .but do now. I've had
proof
And he began a detailed though some
what incoherent account Of all that had
happened to him since he was 30 strangely
awakened Absorbed In his narrative
he prattled on excitedly without MOTTO
ing the growing amazement and incre-
dulity Of his listeper.
Only once did he pause In his recital.
It was when he was describing his escape
from the police. and he was about to say
that he wished Miss Jepson could have
seen him as he scared away to the sky.
Fortunately he remembered before say
ing this that his Greek costume had dis
appeared as he few out the station house
window, and he checked himself.
Not until he had finished his story did
he realize the impression he had made
on Miss Jepson.
Regarding him icily. she said: SIS that
alli"
Her manner rather than her words
made il difficult for Rufus Daboll TO reply.
but with q fatuons smile he said: Il
should think that was enough for one
forenoon
Il should think so. indeed retorted
the lady as she rose in outraged dignity
from among the sofa cushions.
Drawing herself up TO her full though
uncomfortable height. she continued
with crushing scorn:
Il don't know whether you are dippy
or only just plain soused. Mr.. Daboll.
but can assure you that it's all of be-
tween you and /. This Is tho very end.
Farewell orever.'
And she swept away with real matinee
grandeur.
This blow, falling on Rufus Daboll
after all his other mishsps. completely
unnerved him. Too little versed in
feminine intricacies to realize that any
hope remained, he abandoned himself
to despair.
.oh, Maize. my love-" he walled pit
eously while abe listened with keen
delight on the other side Of the screen.
-Mazie, dear. unsay those cruel words.
1t cannot be the end. 1t must not be
oh Lord, wish / was dead