The Colorado statesman., 1911-02-04
Man Wanted
By Harriet Lummis Smith
Copyright, 1917, by Associated Literary Press.

= X.
rats compared with which ours is 9
| positive affectation. and there is nc
man in the house. So after waiting q
couple of hours for Puck to finish him
| appealed to you"
Up to this time Moulton had done
little of the talking. Now he took a
hand. He expressed his pleasure in
being able to assist two ladies in such
an emergency, and he spoke with a
fuency and feeling that surprised him
self. Then he seized brass poker
from little stand near the fireplace
and advanced upon the enemy.
The poker was uplifted but did not
descend on any scampering rodent
Moulton's look of ferocity gradually
changed to one of perplexity.
'T'm afraid that he's gone" he said
dejectedly.
"Gone!" walled Miss Ethel, in ac-
cents OF heartbreak.
Gone" repeated Ethers grandma.
with a severity indicating that in this
case Moulton was somehow to blame.
He certainly is not under the ta-
ble," Moulton replied firmly. "Pll
take a look about the room. He may
be hiding in some corner"
A careful search, however, revealed
no traces of the intruder 'He is not
in this ROOM" the older lady said
tragically. Where is he, then? Am
never again to know any peace in
my own house?"
81 know l sha'n't close my eyes to-
nj Etha1 coid xuffh tho
of despair.
Moulton protested against this ex-
treme view. He thought it would not
be hard matter to get rid of the rat
You want to set trap and"
But that's the trouble" Ethel In
terposed. IF we should ask Lucinda
to set a trap I'm sure she'd give warn
ing Immediately"
Perhaps" began Ethers grand
mother, surveying Moulton with in
terest. "since Mr-er-Moulton has
been so kind, he would put us under
further obligation"
I'm sure, grandma" protested
Ethel, blushing divinely. that we
have imposed on Mr.. Moulton suffi-
GENTLY"
Naturally, Moulton took the oppo-
site view. He was to call the next
evening, bringing a trap so disguised
as to furnish no cue to the wary eye
of the timid domestic. He was also
to bring the cheese. He left at late
hour in n beatific mood.
After an evening spent in setting
the trap and making advances in the
60. - al nr,I no. Il . n
Moulton spent several listless days.
Then one morning the servant walked
him with the information that he was
wanted at the telephone. Moulton
slipped a bathrobe over his pajamas
and went to answer the summons.
Hello. Hellol Is this Mr. MouI-
ton?"
An ecstatic gasp was her only an
swer but 1t seemed enough "Oh,
Mr.. Moulton," she burst out Hes
caught"
rs it possible? congratulate
you"
"Yes-but won't you come and help
us? Now we've got him we don't
know what to do with him."
"I'll come Immediately, that. is, just
as soon as I'll be there very SOON"
mot too soon, Mr. Moulton I
haven't mean l don't want to hur-
ry you
The rat was speedily dispatched and
Moulton remained to breakfast When
an eligible man eats breakfast with
charming girl the rest is mere for
mality. And these two young people
reached an understanding in record
time.
But Moulton was not allowed to
forget to what he owed his happiness.
When he asked Ethel's grandmother
for her hand the old lady replied with
customary frankness:
Ethel is really too young and silly
for marriage" she said. "And I've
always had prejudice against west
erners. AT the same time, ! am 60
ing to give my consent. Ever since
that rat episode I've felt that we need
ed a man in the house"