The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1909-01-08
THE CURE OF FABIAN
Marcia Brinss Ii Abouf

Fabian impatiently paced the piazza
IL was $40, and the breakfast bell has
not sounded. But not because he wa
hungry did Fabian anataematize tn,
cook
He was awakened with little appe
title. but ever since he had begun e
order his life he had had breakfast a
s. II had been the sole recommenda
tion 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 Ia.
bians fetish. Habit decreed a two
weeks vacation in August and so he
continued 10 seek a 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 7:15.
Fabian had inquired irritably why not
at or 1880. and had decided in favor
Of Brook Farm, where meals were
was accustomed in town. though il an
noyed him 10 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 twentysix he was still heart-whole.
The delayed breakfast was a far
greater annoyance than a 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
a scream from the road, and he turned
TO see a girl endeavoring TO beat OF
the farm dog. whose muddy paws had
already left theft imprint upon her
dainty skirts.
Something in her pose caught Fa-
bian's fancy. and he went racing across
the grass plot to her rescue, whistling
10 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 dear old thing" smiled the 1
girl as Carlo picked out the shortest I
route 70 the back yard. his tail tucked .
ingloriously between his legs.
Il suppose IL is more my fault than I
his / walk down to the postoffce \
every morning, and he always barks !
his good morning but to-day he
seemed to want to shake hands and /
he I'D not realize how dirty his paws
were You won't punish him. please?"
He's not mine TO punish" said Fa-
bian. absently He was thinking. not
Df Carlo but the girl. No woman had
ever made a strong appeal to him be-
Tore, 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 10
remove the worst OF the muddy paw
prints with his handkerchief. II was
4 clumsy effort, for he only made the
worse, and with a laughing
word OF thanks the girl stopped him.
1T will be all right when II dries"
she said with her wonderful smile.
You are very kind. but 1t really does
rom the village II will be all right.
rs Just a little wash-skirt, anyway.
md trip 10 the laundry will remove
I'll traces Of the dogs impetuosity."
With nod and another smile she
started down the road, and presently
Fabian pulled himself together and |
vent In to his delayed breakfast. He {
vat In trance through his brief meal.
md hurried back TO the piazza.
After breakfast 1t was his custom TO
'ead the morning paper, but he sat
With IL In his hand this morning and
lid not even scan the headlines. He
vas watching the road for the CLINT of I
whited ress, and when It came in
light. far down the road. he strolled :
o the gate with an elaborate assump- :.
Ion OF carelessness, and was leaning