The Chickasha daily express. (Chickasha, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1899-current, 1910-02-21


dropping him into the proffered
bucket
"a perfect whopper, Beats mine all I
hollow. suppose there will be a fight
now, tempest in tim
Sibyl started TO answer-then stop
ped. She realized with a gasp that she
was talking to an utter stranger. She
turned fiery red and the harder she
tried to think OF something to say the
hotter the blushed She looked down
at the mud stains on her skirt: then
she made an effort to brush them OF
and smooth out the wrinkles. She
pulled her hat straight and tried 70
gather up the flying strands of hair
Il get so excited she said apollo
getically when ! see bug or crab
or anything like that We used to
catch crabs in the park and-and am
afraid III never grow up"
"And so did We said the man
Wasn't it fun" He reached into his
pocket and hauled outa piece Of string
and some pins.
Il got these and the bucket at the
farmhouse yonder. ! was looking for
bait when | spied the crab you saw
me go after There are million min
nows in that pool beyond the log DO
you want line? am afraid. though,
that | can offer you no better hook
than a bent pin. came unprepared
to fish,
Eyes, I'd love to fish. said Sibyl
They rolled away a rotten log to
look for bait The man stuffed grubby
looking worms and bugs into his Jacket
pockets like a boy.
When they had sat for a time in
silence waiting for bite the man
took out a cigarette case. DO you
mind if / smoker he asked.
NO; wish you would It's restful
TO see a man smoke
They gazed in silence again into the
clear water below them. The bank
over which they swung their feet was
a straight drop to the water
Il need this rest, said he finally
He looked at the quiet girl beside him
patiently holding the Pne over the wa
ter He was enjoying himself i'm
menseIy.
so do l." answered Sibyl frankly,
woth bright smile But I'll tell you
a secret, ran off today"
Ran OFF,
YES. am Sinking my duty | ran
away from trouble A cloud passed
over her face. as she thought Of the
hateful task ahead Of her Before she
realized it, she was telling the whole
story. He listened quietly.
1T Is not fair TO send me 10 try TO
bally a few words out of man like
Grant Hill I get frightened to death
whenever 1 think Of il. have tried so
hard to get along, but Mr.. Branson
gives ME the hardest things he can
think OF to do. Journalism is not what
] thought it-Oh, oh. OH" She jerked
up the line With shining white fish
on the end, and--the bank gave way
They were both soaked and muddy
when they stood again on terra firma
They laughed as they faced each
7 other Then Sibyl realized she was
I cold. There was no sun in the woods
Come, said the man with author
I ity. we must get out Of here. There
are covers in my motor car over by the
road, and III have you back in town
in Is minutes" Without waiting for
an answer from Sibyl he took her
/ hand and they ran for the car, where
( he wrapped up her wet, bedraggled lit
tie figure
When they reached town and Sibyl
was unwinding herself preparatory to
leaving. the stranger slowed up the
machine and spoke for the first time
during the trip home.
Miss Norris" he said, you we're
kind enough to tell me yosr name
Will you pardon my rudeness in not
telling mine2 But you will forgive me
4 perhaps when Ltell you that ii would
have spoiled one Of the happiest days
OF my life You cannot understand
what the companionship OF fresh in
nocent giri means to lonely man like
me-" He stopped
"Oh thank youln was all Sibyl could
think of in her confusion
.. TOO. ran away today he con
tinued, merry twinkle in the gray
eyes. II ran away from reporters.
have been bothered to death all the
week. but forgot to read my horo
scope or would have known it was OF
no use"
He waited for her TO speak. She
was silent A look of terror was
dawning al her eyes. He hurried on
with a smile. Am so very dreadful
after all2H He handed her a card. She
took it with trembling fingers. and hot
tears OF modification started to hel
eyes. she tried to think Of all tbs
awful things she had said. The mar
beside her was Grant HILL
The car stopped She was at home
oh, to get away She slipped to the
ground. not seeing the hand the mar
held out to help her.
please. Miss Morris. forgive me,
he begged You haven't said a wore
about me didn't deserve, so please
do not feel badly about that And 4
yOu still want that hateful interview