Audubon County journal. (Exira, Iowa) 1884-1993, 1909-05-20
Love All'
ID I G III Al
By ]. Sackville Martin

lSneQ MS racket eXultantlV. Ihe pros
pect of an afternoons healthy eXer-
else set the blood tingling in his
body.
Just inside the netting the tutelary
deity of the place-a Clipped, plaster
Cupid-drew his bow at a venture
from the height of his PEDESTAL Char
lie buzzed a ball at him and laughed
as the fragments of plaster fell off.
Come, on, Edie!" he shouted. Are
you going to be all day."
His howl of protest-for it was
nothing less-evoked vision of
dainty maiden, fair-haired and slen
der, demure in white pique, carrying
her racket
What noise you make!' she said
reproachfully.
You girls take such a lot of time
titivating yourselves" he answered,
detiantly.
"A cousinly Speech she retorted.
Pm sure was very quick"
Just see me knock the plaster off
that chap there said Charlie, buoy,
antly, buzzing a second ball at the
ond shower of plaster fell.
Poor Cupid said the girl. He
ought to have netting put around
him.
"A lot better for the world if he
had" said Charlie, promptly.
"Cynic, Who's wasting time now?
What are you going to give me?"
Fifteen and a licking"
But you're not"
What? Not 1872"
mo. I'll take 10 Not licking"
You won't be able to help it. Come
on"
They took their places on opposite
sides to the net. The service fell to
Charlie Gently he sent the ball
across.
If you insult me with another serv.
ice like that" said Edie, ignoring it,
81 won't play, so there"
"All right then, take that" Char
lie sent in an express. Got you that
time, l think
TRY it again"
81 will. Take that. Oh, pretty"
DO you mean me?" asked Eide,
! calmly,
I'm dashed if I do, my dear l
msant your return"
Yes. 1t did make you look bit
silly, didn't it?"
Think look silly?"
You did"
CAN right my fair cousin,
I'll make you look sillier before I've
finished with YOU
and L. murmured the damaged
Cupid. unheard, will make you both
look silly before | have finished with
you. I'll teach you to spoil my plas
ter"
Service, return, and rally went or
through the afternoon. Charlie was
hot; Edie flushed and painting. Hel
hair was no longer the perfection OF
neatness, but it's stray curls framed
her face adorably At length, as she
rushed across the court to take {
short forehand drive, she stumbled
and putting out her hand to save
herself, fell with her palm agains
the pedestal upon which Cupit
stretched his bow.
ooh, oh dear" she cried. "Pv,
hurt my wrist
whats up now" said Charlie
standing over her and looking at tn
flushed face upturned to his witt
1 lively admiration. You're not reall,
4 hurt, are you?"
Il am. It's that statue
4 III
pid." growled Charlie. Sure your
not shamming?"
I'm not You can look if you like
q See my wrist"
Charlie knelt down
y Its frightfully swollen, isn't it?
Il she said, extending it.
q Its an awfully pretty wrist" h
q said, taking it tenderly.
1T isn't. It's swollen"
81 never knew it was so prett
Il before he continued.
Its the swelling that makes it tha
81 shape" she explained. 1T will G
a down in time"
Eide, you little humbug, it ism
Il swollen at ALL"
She tried to snatch her hand ava,
81 must say you haven't much syn
parhy," she said. Let it go if there
nothing the matter with it
There is nothing the matter wit
it; that's why Pm keeping it,
z Il can't see what my wrist is
you"
5 NO? Suppose 1 was to ask fc
8 the hand?"
n "Charlie!"
4 "Yes?"
you What do you Why do yo
y Oh, don't you think we had be
: ter go on with our game?'
. Couldn't allow it, my dear. You
3 wrist is sprained. Besides, yc
= haven't answered my question"
. you shouldn't ask such silly cue
9 tons"
Q rs it a silly question:"
2 Yes"
= "And Why"
r