Tombstone epitaph., 1915-02-07

the way his clothes were cut He
 stayed through the whole game. and
 never took his eyes off Rudie. 1 just
 know he was a scout for the Cubs"
 Probably a hardware drummer. or a fellow that Schlachweiler owes
 money to-"
 Ivy began to pin on her hat A
 scared look leaped into Papa Keller's
 eyes He looked little old. too and
 drawn. at that minute He stretched
 forth a rather tremulous hand.
 'Ivy-girl." he said.
 What" snapped Ivy.
 Your old fathers just talking for
 your own good You're breaking your mas heart. You and me have been good
 pals. haven't we?"
 Yes" said Ivy. grudgingly, and
 without looking up.
 Well now, look here. I've got a
 proposition to make to you. The sea
 sons over in two more weeks. The
 last week they play out of town. Then
 the boys'll come back for week or
 so. just to hang around town and try
 to get used to the idea of leaving us.
 Then they'll scatter to take up their
 winter jobs-cutting ice. most of em. ,
 he added. grimly
 "Mr. Schlachweiler is employed in a large establishment in Slatersville.
 Ohio" said Ivy, with dignity. He re
 gards baseball as his profession. and
 he cannot do anything that would af- feet his pitching arm"
 Pa Keller put on the tremolo stop and brought a misty look into his eyes
 Ivy, you'll do one last thing for ! your old father, won't you?"
 Maybe" answered Ivy. coolly.
 Don't make that fellow any prom | ises. Now, wait a minute, Let me | get through. won't put any crimp in | your plans. I won't speak to Schlach- weller. Promise you won't do any, ! thing rash until the ball seasons over. | Then we'll wait just one month, see? ! Till along about November. Then if you feel like you want to see him"
 But how"
 Hold on. You mustn't write to him, or see him, or let him write to you during that time, see? Then. if you ! feel the way you do now, I'll take you ! to Slatersville to see him. Now, that's | fair, ain't it? Only don't let him know | you're coming"
 "M-m-m-yes," said Ivy. Shake hands on it" She did. Then | she left the room with rush. headed ! in the direction of her own bedroom | Pa Keller treated himself to a prodi- ! gious wink and went out to the vege- table garden in search of mother. The team went out on the road, lost five games, won two, and came home ! in fourth place For a week they lounged around the Parker hotel and l held up the street corners downtown, took many farewell drinks. then. slow ! ly, by ones and twos. they left for the 1 packing houses, freight depots. and gents furnishing stores from whence they came
 october came in with a blaze of sumac and oak leaves Ivy stayed home and learned to make veal loaf and apple pies. The worry lines i around Pa keller's face began to deep en Ivy said that she didn't believe that she cared to go back to Miss Shont's select school for young ladies. October 3l came. Well take the S:I5 tomorrow" said her father to Ivy Ali right" said Ivy
 Do you know where he works 2" asked he.
 No" answered Ivy.
 "That1l be all right took the trouble to look him up last August" The short November afternoon was drawing to its close (as our best talent would put iD when Ivy and her father walked along the streets of Skaters vile. q cant tell you what streets, because I don't knowD Pa Keller brought up before narrow little shoe shop.
 Here we are" he said, and ushered Ivy in. A short, stout, proprietary fig ure approached them smiling mer- cantile smile.
 What can I do for you?" he in quired.
 Ivy's eyes searched the shop for a ! tall, golden-haired form in a soiled baseball suit
 Wed like to see a gentleman named l Schlachweiler Rudolph Schlach- weller" said Pa Keller. Anything very special?" inquired the proprietor. "He's-rather busy just now Wouldn't anybody else do? Of 1 course, if"
 No" growled Keller.
 The boss turned Hi, Schlach- weiler," he bawled toward the rear ! of the dim little shop. ''Yessir." answered a mufhed voice. Front" yelled the boss. and with l drew to a safe listening distance. A vaguely troubled look lurked in ! the depths of Ivy's eyes. From behind the partition of the rear of the shop | emerged a tall figure. It was none oth- CT than our hero. He was in his shirt | sleeves. and he struggled into his coat as he came forward, wiping his mouth
 with the back of his hand, hurriedly, and swallowing. 1 have said that the shop was dim. Ivy and her father stood at one side, ! their hacks fo fhe U~ht Rudje came