Tombstone epitaph., 1915-02-07


 the best of 'em. She has even been known to cry. Good eye! Good eye' when things were at fever heat The only really blase individual in the ball park is Willie Grimes, who ped dles ice cream cones. For that matter l once saw Willie turn a languid head to pipe, in his thin voice. Give 'em a dark one. Dutch, Give 'em a dark one."
 Well. that will do for the first dash of local color. Now for the story.
 Ivy Keller came home June l9 from Miss Shont's select school for young ladies. By June 21 she was bored limp. You could hardly see the plaits of her white tailored shirt waist for fraternity pins and secret society emblems, and her bedroom was ablaze with college banners and pennants such an extent that the maid gave notice every Thursday-which was up- stairs cleaning day
 For two weeks after her return Ivy spent most of her time writing letters and waiting for them, and reading the classics on the front porch. dressed in a middy blouse and blue skirt, with her hair done in a curly Greek effect like the girls on the covers of the Ladies' Magazine. She posed against the canvas bosom of the porch chair with one foot under her. the oth- CT swinging free, showing a tempting thing in beaded slipper. silk stocking. and what the story writers call slim ankle"
 On the second Saturday after her return her father came home for din ner at noon. found her deep in volume two Of Les Miserables"
 "Whew, TEis is a scorcher." he ex- claimed, and dropped down on a wick eG chair next to Ivy. Ivy looked at her father with languid interest. and smiled daughterly smile. Ivy's fa- ther was an insurance man, alderman of his ward. president of the Civic Improvement club. member of five lodges. and an habitual delegate. It generally was he who introduced dis tinguished guests who spoke at the opera house on Decoration day. He called Mrs. Keller Mother" and he wasn't above noticing the fit of gown on a pretty feminine figure He thought Ivy was an eXpurgated edition of Lillian Russell. Madame De Stael, and Mrs. PaIkhurst.
 Aren't you feeling well. Ivy" he asked. Looking a little pale It's the heat, I suppose. Gosh. Something smells good. Run in and tell mother I'm here
 Ivy kept one slender finger between the leaves of her book I'm perfectly well" she replied. That must be beef steak and onions. Ugh," And she shuddered. and went indoors
 Dad Keller looked after her thought fully. Then he went in. washed his hands. and sat down at table with Ivy and her mother
 Just a sliye- for me, said Ivy, and no onions"
 Her father put down his knife and fork. cleared his throat. and spake thus:
 You get on your hat and meet me at the 2:45 interurban. You're going to the ball game with me"
 Ball game," repeated Ivy. T? But I'd"
 Yes, you do" interrupted her ia ther. You've been moping around here looking cross between Saint Cecilia and Little Eva long enough. l don't care if you don't know a spit ball from fadeaway when you see it You'll be out in the air all afternoon, and there1l be some excitement All the girls go You1l like it They're playing Mashalltown."
 Ivy went. looking the sacrificial lamb. Five minutes after the game was called she pointed one tapering white finger in the direction of the pitchers mound.
 Who's that" she asked.
 Pitcher, explained Papa Keller. laconically. Then, patiently: He throws the ball"
 Oh" said Ivy. What did you say his name was?"
 T didn't say. But it's Rudie Schlachweiler The boys call him Dutch Kind Of a pet, Dutch is
 ''Rudie Schlachweiler!" murmured Ivy. dreamily. What a strong name."
 Want some peanuts?" inquired her father.
 Does ore eat peanuts at bali gamer"
 Tt ain't hardly legal if you don't" Pa Keller assured her
 Two sacks" said Ivy. Papa, why do they call it a diamond. and what are those brown bags at the corners, and what does it count if you hit the ball, and why do they rub their hands in the dust and then-er-spit on them, and what salary does pitcher get, and why does the red-haired man on the other side dance around like that between the second and third brown bag, and doesn't a pitcher do anything but pitch. and wh-?'
 You're on," said papa
 After that Ivy didn't miss a game during all the time that the team played in the home town. She went without a new hat. and didn't care whether Jean Vatican got away with the goods or not, and forgot whether you played third hand high or low in bridge. She even became chummy