Western liberal. (Lordsburg, N.M.) 1887-1919, 1913-01-10
Ole
Blond Giant
II b Not Safe to Jump at
Conclusions
By CLARISSA MACKIE

VI ltseiI hL one or EuniCo Wards
charming little love stories, and Mark
scanned the columns engerly for the
paragraph that introduced the inevita
bic man in the case. He was vexed
with himself eve as his eyes fell upon
the offending paragraph.
As usual In Eunice's latest storIes
the hero was everything to be nd
mired-manly, lovable and big and
blond and handsome.
Mark slapped the pages together and
cast the magazine from him. staring
modify at the heeting scenery. lie
was rather below the medium height.
dark and pale and square jawod and
very American. Quite the opposite Of
Eunice Wards ideal as depicted In her
stories. OF course the big fresh faced
English type mus be the sort OF men
Eunice admired, for her heroes were
all OF that description.
The train drew to n stop before a
little terra Gotta station, and Mark
gathered up his traps and bnstened
out into the October sunshine.
he had cherished a vague hope that
Eunice might be there to meet him
once in the earlier stages OF their &C.
Quaintance she had come for him-but
no, Mrs. Raymond, his hostess, sat
alone In the motor smiling q warm vel
come.
"Eunice was coming, too" she said
as they sped along the oiled road to-
ward Windymere, but at the last mo
ment Mr.. Pundarson reminded her of
a promised walk, so she went with
him"
who is Mr.. Punderson7 ~ asked
Mark grimly. mot Percy Rainier Pun
derson, the poet chapT
Yes; and you will like him so
much" returned Mrs. Raymond enthu.
siastically, her dark eyes flashing one
glance at his stern profile.
mo doubt" said Mark dryly. Hes
an Entiishman, Isn't her"
"oh, yes"
big and blond and something Of a
Gfantr' There was an unconscious
note OF anxiety in his deep voice.
why, yes-in a way" laughed Mrs.
Raymond, as she gave him her hand
alghdng. II didn't know you men mo-
decd each others looks much"
I'VE don't as a rule" returned Mark
deliberately, "but we observe and ad-
mire poets as we do women, you
you will like Mr.. Punderson," pre-
dicted Mrs. Raymond, as she directed
him to his room.
Mark Ellsworth was sure that he
must detest Punderson the poet. AS he
for dinner his ine forehead
creased with a dark frown as he
vent over the months Of his acqualnt- :
lnce with Eunice Ward. He had been J
bosom friend OF Dick Raymond's be- I
ore that gentleman's marriage and !
ince then had been a frequent guest {
t Windymere. Eunlce was Mrs. Ray
nond's cousin, and It was at Windy I
that Mark had met and fallen in 9
ove with her among the winding paths &
I that most fascinating OF homes. Z
The presence Of Percy Rainier Pun ?
erson at Windymere was significant. :
lark had heard Of him as a dreamy, :
oulful individual, and he could not as !
ociate Mrs. Raymond's description Of
he EnglishmRn with the dropping, :
naemic poet his Imagination had con-
l
Eunice gave him a cool little hand y
nd a heeting glimpse Of sea blue eyes
hat were hidden at once by thickly .
white lids. !
I'VE had about given you up" she !
aid reproachfully. You've promised .
o come down every Saturday for the .
'ast month and now, the first week in !
october. Our expectations are at last l
The mock regret In her
one quite hid something that Mark =
vas too miserable to recognize. ,
1--WE been very busy" he said abb :
emily, "and In town the weeks do slip :
way. You have not been dull?" His !
yes involuntarily turned toward Pun. g,
broad back. D
Not at ALL" she cried hastily. "Mr. T"
anderson Is quite as ardent a pedes- e
Han as | am, and together we have
Rmped over every road In Mereton, :
'ming home with the most appalling J
ppetites." =
II hope you will walk with me-" said ,
lark, speaking more wistfully than !,
, knew. u
"of course" she replied quickly. II "
the loyellest place in the country -
We win start tomorrow morn |"
while the others are at church." 7
The prospect Of having Eunice all =
himself for several hours put Mark =
the best Of spirits and during the v
'urse OF the evening ne came TO like
70 big quiet blond giant who seemed y
living representation Of the heroes :!
marched through the pages Of Eu- y
ce's stories. ~
As they struck into a long amber 70
Ihted wood road the next day Mark
rned and looked at Eunlce. she step Q.
ng easily beside him. She wore o.
mple walking skirt OF white serge OF
d a white knitted coat. with a white ~
Il hat perched on her golden hair. =
70 looked very young and very fair, "a
Il he thought her voice lacked It's
ual buoyancy Then It occurred to Pc
- 49,