The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1909-01-01
THE CURE OF FABIAN


Fabian impatiently paced the piazza.
IL was $40, and the breakfast bell had
not sounded But not because he was
hungry did Fabian anathematize the
cook
He was awakened with little appe-
tite, but ever since he had begun 10
order his life he had had breakfast at
3. II had been the sole recommends
ton OF this boarding place that they
had breakfast at his accustomed hour
instead of 1880, as seemed TO be the
custom in most OF the boarding houses
In Carrsville.
Because Fabian always took the first
two weeks In August as his vacation
he followed this custom, too. though
the break in the even routine OF the
Office annoyed him. But habit was Fa-
bian's fetish. Habit decreed a two
weeks vacation in August. and so he
continued 10 seek resort where the
orderly routine of his life would be
the least interrupted.
This year he had rather fancied Glen
Farm. but they had breakfast at 1915.
Fabian had inquired irritably why not
at or 1880. and had decided In favor
of Brook Farm, where meals were
served at about the hours TO which he
was accustomed in town, though il an
noyed him to have to eat his dinner
IN the middle of the day and a cold
supper at night.
Ever since he had reached his seven
teenth year Fabian had been alone in
the world, and he had fallen into a
rut OF system. His orderly habit of
mind made him a valuable man in the
Office, but his unwillingness to depart
from customs drew few friends. and
at twenty-six he was still heart-whole
The delayed breakfast was a far
greater annoyance than more serious
disappointment might have been, and
he gnawed at his mustache as he
STROBE up and down the piazza He
caught the first jangle as the bell was
lifted from the shelf. and turned to en-
ter the house. but just then there was
n scream from the road. and he turned
TO see a girl endeavoring TO beat off
the farm dog, whose muddy paws had
already left their imprint upon her
dainty skirts.
Something in her pose caught Fa-
bians fancy. and he went racing across
the grass plot 10 her rescue. whistling
TO the dog as he went But Carlo was
determined to make friends with the
girl and paid no attention to the calls
until Fabian's hand rested heavily
upon his collar and the toe of Fabian's
boot emphasized lightly the indiscre-
ton of accosting strange young women
on the public highway.
Hes a deaf old thing" smiled the
girl as Carlo picked out the shortest
route 10 the back yard, his tail tucked
ingloriously between his legs.
Il suppose 1t is more my fault than
his. ! walk down 10 the postoffice
every morning. and he always barks
his good morning. but to-day he
seemed TO want to shake hands and
he did not realize how dirty his paws
were. You won't punish him, please?"
Hes not mine TO punish" said F'a-
bian, absently. He was thinking. not
of Carlo. but the girl. No woman had
ever made a strong appeal to him be-
fore. but he felt dazed in the presence
of this radiant girl with the gentle |
eyes and the smile that made the whole |
landscape seem brighter. He was on
his knees in the road now. trying to !
remove the worst OF the muddy paw
prints with his handkerchief. II was
clumsy effort. for he only made the
smudges worse, and with a laughing
word Of thanks the girl stopped him.
1T will be all right when il dries"
she said with her wonderful smile |
You are very kind. but It really does
from the village It will be all right. I
It's just little wash-skirt, anyway. 1
and trip to the laundry will remove /
all traces Of the dogs impetuosity."
With a nod and another smile she \
started down the road. and presently /
Fabian pulled himself together and /
went In TO his delayed breakfast He 4
sat in trance through his brief meal, /
and hurried back to the piazza
After breakfast II was his custom TO I
read the morning paper. but he sat \
with It in his hand this morning and \
did not even scan the headlines He /
was watching the road for the CLINT OF \
q whited ress, and when II came in |
sight, far down the road. he strolled /
10 the gate with an elaborate assump-
tion Of carelessness. and was leaning |
HUMAN ElCA cNvhM AVIAN