The Calumet news. [volume] (Calumet, Mich.) 1907-1938, 1913-10-02
HEM BIDDLE'S
HOBBY
1t Lost Him His
Bride
Nv SATHApINE GDAN
BY KATHARINE GRAY

W iltu lHt INC ''"''
referred 10 nemenway Biddle. Mr.
| Blddle was the editor of the Banner,
and in the great shed back of the
| printing office was anchored his big
| balloon.
On clear days after the paper had
gone to press Mr.. Biddle might be seen
tinkering away at his balloon or else
in the act of soaring over the heads Of
his neighbors in the car attached 10
the gas inflated craft
Hem Biddle himself scared skyward
because he liked the strange sensation
of hanging between earth and heaven
with the ever present element Of dan
ger attached thereto As a counter
irritant 10 editing a country weekly
newspaper he believed there was moth.
ing like il, excepting always Amabel
Paine.
At this particular moment the Ban
ner had gone 10 press ana was in the
hands of its eager readers. Hem Bid
die was scaling the airy heights. and
Amabel Paine was swinging in Il ham
mock under the apple tree in her front
yard.
Amabel's eyes, blue as the sky above,
were fixed dreamily on the green can
opy of leaves overhead, There was
one spot where she could see the sky
Suddenly across this bit Of sky there
raced IA black blot.
"Oh, bother" pouted Amabel. all ut
once remembering that she was en-
gagged To Hem Biddle. 1t was rather
disconcerting TO recollect ii. for ut that
very moment she had been dreamily
reliving few delicious hours spent in
the company of Peter Lamb the pre-
viouS evening.
The gate crcakcd inward, and Peter
Lambs massive form plodded sturdily
down the shell path To the apple tree.
Amabel watched him. delightiug in the
CLINT of sunshine on his blond heaG
and the answering CLEAN in his brown
eyes when they met hers. She blushed
and her eyes hid themselves under
dropping lids as she sat up in the
hammock and allowed her little hand
10 rest an instant in his big one
81 accepted your invitation 10 call"
he laughed rather awkwardy as he sat
down in a big rustic chair and tossed
his hat to the grass. You can see
that | haven't waited"
Amabel's mouth curved deliciously.
Il am glad" she murmured. soothing
the seam of her white duck skirt
I'm that sort When want to do a
thing | can't wait" he went on ear
nestly. IL don't believe understand
the pleasures of anticipation. | know
what | want when I see it. and then
l want 1t right away"
"Yes?" Amabel smoothed another
seam.
Pm going to shock you. Miss Paine"
went on this startling young man in
n determined tone
please don't" she murmured.
1T sounds foolish on such short ac-
quaintance, bat you know | used TO
live in Finchvillc. and we played to-
gether when we were children. Why,
We We W SNhpoi ipEfllltIs lie WOll-
der of it all is that should come back
again and meet you nj the schoolhouse
dance last night and not remember
your name. | suppose | used TO call
you Amy" he ended daringly.
Amabel said nothing, and Mr.. Lamb.
taking n fresh grip on his courage.
leaned forward eagerly. His hand.
some face was quite crimson with EN-
barrassment, but his brown eyes were
pools of flaming determination.
Don't laugh, please, but love you,
Amabel. l want TO marry YOU" he
said briefly.
The girls eyes flashed up with a
startled question in their blue depths
IL was as If she were questioning his
sincerity. His eyes answered her.
Il can't" she whispered sadly.
why not?" His voice was tense.
A shadow passed between them and
the sun.
That" She pointed upward.
why, what do you mean? It's n
balloon. isn't it," he asked I'm n star.
tied tone.
She nodded. There's a man In IT,"
she explained.
His jaw frightened. "Ah! It's the
man, | suppose?"
Il am engaged TO Mr.. Biddle." she
said with dignity.
"Biddle! Hem Biddle of the Ran.
ner?"
yes"
lie got upon his feet. and his white |
lips curved in wry smile. "Just INV |
luck to get here too late. hone Won
VIII be very happy. Miss Paine. Is
Ito be very soon?"
Amabel Redeemed from brow 10 chin.
but she held her head haughtily. 1t
~ is Indefinite" she stammered
Ihank You for your good wishes"
lie was holding her hand tightly and !
looking quite unconscious OF that fact
something small and dark hurt,ed
down through the branches and foil M
Peters feet.
What's that?" he gasped.
ITS miner cried Amabel sbarn,v
Mr.. Biddle often amuses himself NV
dropping messages down to me from
tne balloon as he circles above. His
poetry Is very good" /
Peter Lamb read the lines DISTINCTIVE !