The Chickasha daily express. (Chickasha, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1899-current, 1915-11-13

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came back to tell him SO with nerv.
Gus anticipation of some further dis
closure. But Eifelrode only thanked
her and glided away. 1t was just his
manner.
The boarders all got used to him in
time. They discovered that there was
really no mystery about him. He had
been manager for branch of a Chi
cago paint firm In good-sized Illinois
the city to become superintendent OF
the factory. He had a mother, a
brother and a married sister in New
Hampshire, was independent in his
politics, member of the Episcopalian
church and had taste for music. One
could hardly wish to know more of
man.
Still, that manner of his always
seemed to CRATE on Mrs. Callonby.
She was widow-a very attractive
one, too. She was of lively dispo-
sition and outspoken-somewhere
about thirty, probably. Electrodes
place at table was next to her and
she naturally came in for most of his
confidential asides. Only she declined
to treat them as confidential, 1t was
little more than a week before she
began publicly to diyulge the nature
of his whispered communications.
"Oh, you needn't giggle," she said
one day to the Starker girls, across
the table. 1T wasn't anything of
tender nature. Mr. Effelrode has just
been telling me that he likes the bis
cult and gravy that Mrs. Grandine
gives US with our chicken. There's
really no secret about II"
Effelrode colored little and looked
embarrassed.
Don't blush, Mr. Effelrode." said
the widow. Its nothing you really
need be ashamed of. | don't mind
Mrs. Grandine's knowing that l like
them myself Thank you. just one"
That discouraged Effelrode for
time. but before the meal was over he
again murmured something in the wild
ow's ear. She replied In clear, pene
trating tones. Thereupon Effelrode
looked offended.
Il don't care" said the widow when |
someone demonstrated with her later
on. 1T may be his way, but l don't
like 1t. 1t makes one look ridiculous. |
/ think it time that someone took hip |
in hand. I'll do it if nobody else viii"
Effelrode did not give her a chance |
for some days, but she smiled on him
and he forgave her Nevertheless |
she persisted in announcing to all and |
sundry the substance of his remarks |
when they were addressed to her in |
voice below the ordinary conversa-
tional pitch. 1t certainly had an eff.
feet on Effelrode. He began to speak
up, as Mrs. Callonby said approvingly, |
like a little man, though he had his
relapses.
One evening when he seemed near
ly cured he came into the parlor, |
where Mrs. Callonby happened to be
sitting apart from the rest, took seat
beside the lady and with his old fur |
tive look around the room said some
thing to her
Yes, 1t Is rather warm in this room /
tonight" called Mrs. Callonby in an
explanatory way.
Effelrode rose Immediately and
strode over to the elder Starker girl. |
He did not speak to Mrs. Callonby for
two days, but when he did he repeat.
ed his whispering offense, or rather
was about to do so.
"Oh. speak oS." said tho indomit.
able widow.
Shall II" asked Eifelrode. quite de.
family. Il meant to toll you first
but If you insist"
All in a moment Mrs. Callonby
seemed to lose her customary self-pos-
session. She arose. "Oh. we'll, il it's
a real secret this time.' she said, and,
taking his arm, walked over to the
the lights were not
burning. There she stopped What is
it," she asked
Il want to ask you to marry me-