The central record. (Lancaster, Ky.) 18??-current, 1912-06-07
Letty's
Strategy

morning, Lefty sat on the brow of q
rocky hill that looked down upon a
narrow winding river. She had come
here to be alone and meditate-spme-
thing very unusual for Lefty, because
she was an athletic young woman with
tendency to do things and not to
dream them. She was considered a
mannish girl, but something very femi
nine had come to her of late. She was
/ in love with Griffith Kennedy.
At first this undfsguised affection
had amused Lefty; gradually she had
come to like it. And now, she admit
/ ted, she craved it and yearned for it.
Two or three times she knew that
he had been on the very verge of a
proposal, but obstacles had arisen to
prevent his speech. She had been
content to wait She knew the psy-
Geological moment had only been post
poned; but last night at dance, he
had held that pretty, frivolous, cooling
voiced Maude Nelson very close as
he guided her carefully over the
crowded floor.
At this sight fierce jealousy had
crept into Letty's heart, and she had
come out here alone to have It out
with herself.
"That silly, little, scheming thing
shall not entrap him!" she resolved.
"Why is it men care for that clinging
vine sort!"
Her memory then reverted to the
first time she had been conscious Of
his working up to a proposal. This
had been late in the preceding Au-
tumn when they were walking in the
country. A runaway team had come
plunging toward them. Lefty had for
gotten Grif's very existence. She was
conscious only Of the white, terrified
faces of the women and children in
the wagon. She had rushed on ahead,
met and stopped the horses, holding
them firmly until Grit came up to
them.
Everyone had praised her GOODNESS
and bravery, but Grif had been
strangely silent. After that she had
thought him i'll at ease in her pres
ence.
The next time had been in the Win
ter when they were skating on the
river. Grit had begun haltingly, hut
midway in his exordium she caught
sight of a little boy struggling in the
water. She shot ahead and made a
quick rescue. Griffith had been close
second and carried the child to near
by house, but his ardor and his fingers
were alike frost-nipped.
Now, after witnessing his fond pride
in Maude's helplessness, Lefty longed
for the postponed proposal with all
her heart.
"I'll fight her with her own weap-
ons," she automatically decided, "and
after this I'll never make rescue in
Grif's presence. If he can't stop run
away horses and snatch children out
of airholes, they shall meet their fate.
Next time I'll faint or something"
This point decided, she started to
walk home. In the meadow lot, she
saw Grit approaching.
"Now is my chance!" she thought,
as they neared the field. 81 must pre-
tend I am afraid to climb the fence
and pass the COWS, and then he will
feel himself monarch Of all he sur
veys."
AS her lips parted to utter the pro-
test she saw woman running through
the field. A bull was in hot pursuit.
Alas for the plans Of bulls and Let.
ty! At once she grasped the situa-
ton. The bull would overtake the
woman before either she or Grit could
reach the scene Of action. This time
Grif anticipated her and was over the
fence rushing to the rescue. There
was only one thing to do. She must
divert the bull.
With a ringing cry she hurled her
red parasol into the field. 1t landed
between the bull and the woman, in
the path of the Infatuated animal
which charged upon the gorgeous ar
ticle fiercely and effectively. Grit
rushed the woman over the fence to
safety, and Lefty stood silent, imper-
vious to the woman's gratitude and
Grif's praise.
Presently the woman went on and
Griffith and Lefty continued their way
in silence. They entered the cool.
olive depths Of the woods, and sud-
denly Lefty did a feminine and un-
premedldated thing. She burst into
tears-bysterical tears, partially in
duced by derision at the failure Of her
plan.
Instantly Grifs arms were about
her.
"My darling, what is ftp" he cried.
mo, Lefty! I won't let you go! You
can't put me of again. I will tell you
that love you, Lefty. Do you care
at alp"
1t was easy sailing, then, and the
course of true love ran very smoothly
and pleasantly.
"Tell me. Lefty. why you cried?"
he demanded presently.
ooh, Grif-I don't know was so
afraid the bull would get you. and"
"He would If it hadn't been for your
presence of mind. 1t is that and your
bravery that make me love you, Lefty.
You are so different from the other
ordinary, tiresome, flippant girls"