Reporter and farmer. [volume] (Webster, Day County, Dakota [S.D.]) 188?-1946, 1913-01-02
Ge
Blond Giant:
It is Not Safe to Jump at
Conclusions
By CLARISSA MACKIE,


Of the train boy and settled comforta-
bly, back in his seat. The book opened
of itself at one Of Eunice Ward s
charming little love stories, and Mark
scanned the columns eagerly for the
paragraph that introduced the inevita.
BILE man in the case. He was vexed
with himself even as his eyes fell upon
the offending paragraph
As usual in Eunices latest stories
the hero was everything TO be ad-
mired-manly. lovabIe and big and
blond and handsome.
Mark slapped the pages together and
cast the magazine from him. staring
moodily at the heeting scenery He
was rather below the medium height
dark and pale and square jawed and
very American. Quite the opposite of
Eunice Wards ideal as depicted IN her
stories. OF course the big fresh faced
English type must be the sort of men
Eunice admired. for her heroes were
all Of that description.
The train drew to stop before a
little terra Gotta station, and Mark
gathered up his traps and FASTENED
out into the October sunshine.
He had cherished vague hope that
Eunice might be there to meet him
once in the earlier stages of their ac-
quaintance she had come for him-but
no. Mrs Raymond, his hostess, sat
alone in the motor smiling a warm well
come
"Eunice was coming, too" she said
as they sped along the oiled road to-
ward Windymere, but at the last mo-
ment Mr.. Punderson reminded her Of
promised walk. so she went with
him"
"Who Is Mr.. PundersonT" asked
Mark grimly. Not Percy Rainier Pun
derson, the poet chap"
Yes; and you will like him so
much" returned Mrs. Raymond enthu-
siastically, her dark eyes flashing one
glance at his stern profile.
"No doubt" said Mark dryly. Hes
an Englishman. isn't he?"
"Oh. yes"
Big and blond and something Of
giantw There was an unconscious
note of anxiety in his deep voice.
why, yes-in way" laughed Mrs.
Raymond as she gave him her hand
alighing. Il didn't know you men no
dced each others looks much"
"We don't as a rule" returned Mark
deliberately. but we observe and ad-
mire poets as we do women. you
know"
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
dressed for dinner his fine forehead
was creased with a dark frown as he
went over the months Of his acquaint-
ance with Eunice Ward. He had been
bosom friend Of Dick Raymond's be-
fore that gentleman's marriage and
since then had been frequent guest
at Windymere. Eunice was Mrs. Ray
mond's cousin. and it was at Windy
mere that Mark had met and fallen In
love with her among the winding paths
Of that most fascinating Of homes.
The presence OF Percy Rainier Pun
dsrson at Windymere was significant.
Mark had heard Of him as a dreamy.
soulful individual. and he could not as
sociate Mrs Raymond's description Of
the Englishman with the dropping.
anaemic poet his Imagination had con.
jured.
Eunice gave him a cool little hand
and feeting glimpse Of sea blue eyes
that were hidden at once by thickly
fringed white nds
I'VE had about given you up" she
said reproacktully. You've promised
to come down every Saturday for the
past month and now. the first week in
October. our expectations are at last
realizedy' The mock regret in her
tone quite hid something that Mark
was too miserable to recognize.
1--WE been very busy" he said abb
sently. land In town the weeks do slip
away. You have not been dullr' His
eyes involuntarily turned toward Pun
derson's broad back.
"Not at allv she cried hastily. MT.
Punderson IL quite as ardent pedes
TRAN an | am. and together we have
tramped over every road In Mereton,
coming home with the most appalling
appetites."
II hope you win walk with me-" said
Mark. speaking more wistfully than
he knew.
"Of course" she replied quickly. Il
know the lovellest place In the country.
side. We win start tomorrow morn
Ing while the others are at church"
The prospect Of having Eunice all
to himself for several hours put Mark
In the best Of spirits and during the
course Of the evening he came to like
the big quiet blond giant who seemed
q living representation Of the heroes
who marched through the pages Of Eu.
lice's stories.
An they struck into a long amber
lighted wood road the next day Mark
turned and looked at Eunice. she step.
ping easily beside him She wore a
simpie walking skirt OF white serge
and a white knitted coat. with a white
felt hat perched on her golden hnir
She looked very young and very fair.
but he thought her voice lacked TIA
uaual huovaucv Than q .,>.,,.x.a a.