Putnam patriot., 1913-08-15

NAf AC htSp hSi AA0AA AOoinS out; and if this wasn't the last day, l don't know whether I'd have prom ised you or not. Samson was pretty good. but that mask annoyed him. So you see-but honestly, Ab- bolt. doesn't all this make you feel just a wee bit different about mel" "It makes me want to kiss you, Fran"
 'It makes you'-she gasped-"want to do-that? Why, Abbott! Nothing can save you"
 I'm afraid not he agreed. The car was swinging at the highest reach of the wheel. The engine stopped.
 She opened her eyes very wide. "Td think you'd be afraid of such world | famous lion-trainer," she declared, drawing back. Some have been, I assure you"
 I'm not afraid" Abbott declaree, drawing her toward him. He would have kissed her, but she covered her face with her hands and bent her head instinctively.
 "Up!" cried Abbott. Up, Samson, up!"
 Fran laughed hilariously, and lifted her head She looked at him through her fingers. Her face was a garden of blush-roses. She pretended to roar but the result was not terrifying; then she obediently held up her mouth. After all," said Fran, speaking somewhat indistinctly. you haven't told why you ran away to leave poor Fran guessing where you'd gone. Do you know how love you. Abbott?" "I think I know"
 ''I'm glad-for could never tell you. Real l6ye is like real religion-you can't talk about it. Makes you want to joke, even if you can't think of anything funny to say-makes you chatter about anything else, or just keep still. Seems to be something down here-this is my heart. isn't it? hope I have the right place, I left school so early-seems even when l re- fer to it I ought to-well. as I said. make a sort of joke. ."
 But this is no joke" said Abbott, kissing her again.
 "Yes." said Fran, happily, I've can talk about it in that way. Isn't Bill Smookins dear to keep us up here so long?"
 It was a good while later that Ab- bolt said: AS to why I left Little burg: Bob knew of a private school that has just been incorporated as a college A teachers needed, one with ideas of the new education-the edu- cation that teaches us how to mako books useful to life, and not life to books-the education that teaches, happiness as we'll as words and fig- ures; just the kind that you didn't find at my school. little rebel Bob was an old chum of the man who owns the property so he recommended me, and I went It's a great chance, a magnifi-. cent opening. The man was so pleased with the way I talked-he's new to the business, so that must be his excuse that am to be the president"
 Fran's voice came rather faintly- "Hurrahl But you are to be far. far above my reach, just as prophesied Don't you remember what l said to you during our drive through Sure. Enough Country?"
 And that isn't all," said Abbott, looking straight before him, and pre- tending that he had not heard. Tn that town-Tahlelah, Okla.,-I discov- cred, out in the suburbs, cottage the dearest little thing-as dear as as MT Smookins; just big enough for a girl like Fran. rented 1t at once-of course, it oughn't to be standing there idle-there's such a fragrant flower gardenI spent some time arranging the grounds as I think you'll like them. I didn't furnish the cottage, though. Women always like to select their own carpets and things. and"
 Fran's face was a dimpled sea of pink and crimson waves, with starry lights in her black eyes for signal lights. "Oh, you king of hearts," she exclaimed And shall we have church wedding, and just kill 'em7"
 Abbott laughed boyishly. "No-you must remember that your connection with show-fife Is at an end"
 "But-and then-and so," cried Fran rapturously, I'm to have a home after all, with flower gardens and carpets and thinss-a sure-enough home-Abbott, a home with you! Don't you know, it's been the dream of my life to-to-"
 Abbott was inexpressibly touched -Yes, l was just thinking of what I heard you say. sses-to belong to somebody"
 Fran slipped her arms about his neck. And what somebody. To be- long to you. And to know that my home Is our home. :"
 Abbott, with sober sense of his unworthiness, embraced her silently
 From far below came a sudden sound, making It's way through the continuity of the street-uproar. It was the chugging of the engine.
 The wheel began to revolve.
 Down they came-down-down-
 Fran looked up at the moon. Good by" she called. gaily. The world Is good enough for mel"