The Lamar register., 1916-11-29
The RUNAWAYS
BY LOUISE OLIVER.

John Hobson stopped in the shadow
Of the hedge and put on his shoes.
Then, looking furtively back at his
own darkened house and toward the
dim outlines of houses that belonged
to his neighbors, and assuring himself
that his flight was unnoticed, he crept
cautiously down the gravel path to-
ward the street.
John Hobson was running away. He
could stand it no longer, and, having
been harassed beyond endurance for
the last few days because his wife had
taken 1t into her head that she must
have an electric motor, he had taken
the count and quit.
But, although John was retreating
from trouble, IL was only temporary.
He meant to come back. But not be-
fore he had given Henrietta the scare
of her life. He had been too good to
her, he saw 1t all now.
Besides, Bostwick had written that
alumni week was going to be II big af-
fair and urged his attendance. So,
after all, he was only doing what he
had perfect right to do.
Just over the hedge, parallel to his
town path, ran the gravel walk of the
Crinkles. And John, picking his way
gingerly to avoid disturbing the tiny
stones, suddenly heard stealthy
movement that was not OF his own
making. Instantly he OWNED it to be
on the Crinkles' walk. Who could be
sneaking around his neighbours prop
erty at three o'clock in the mOrningI
Not Billy surely, for Billy had no
cause to resort to subterfuge so far as
his wife was concerned. John sighed
as he thought Of Mrs. Billy's perfec-
ton.
Crkl There 1t was again. John
tiptoed close to the hedge mad looked
over. Could he believe his eyes? Billy
Crinkle was certainly sneaking down
the path toward the street.
Great guns Billy's running away
Now what do you suppose he means?"
"BIll's making for Marshalltown,
same as am, by Jove, and he's skip
ping on the :45. I'll bet a doughnut."
Hello. there! That you, BIlIyT' he
called.
Billy stopped. Hello. Johnl What
on earth are you doing here at this
hour Of the night7"
Same as you, guess. Going east
on the 3 :45T"
you guessed right"
Decided at the last minute to join
the boys" explained John finally.
$50 did l." laughed Billy nervously.
ooh" returned John, 81 don't sup
pose I'd have given in at all only Hen
rietta Insisted She wouldn't give me
minutes peace last night. And SO l
started packing at midnight and here
l am"
"Uh, hum" Billy acknowledged
doubtfully.
Billy Crinkle found It hard to ex-
| plain mis- surreputiOus departure, for
he was only guilty of seeking a sensa-
| ton. He knew Maud would not only
| have consented to his trip, but would
have driven him mad with affectiOnate
little attentions prior to his departure.
She would have packed his bag with
everything he needed just when and
where he wanted them. But as 1t was
he hefted his bag from one hand to
llle OllltI Win SORT Ol hANuEt JbAs
knowing that he had packed the con
| glomeration it contained in two min
utes and a half by his stop watch and
| got in everything he didn't need and
nothing that he did.
In plain words, Billy was tired Of
perfection and affection. He hoped by
n few days of anxiety on Maud's part
| to receive the thorough rating he de
served when he came back-anythlng
but eternal, smiling affection.
"Well," he broke the silence, 81
might as well tell you why l came at
this hour of the night. l was afraid if
I'd suggest coming Maud would just
raise general bedlam. So, as l didn't
want to worry her, slid. See -
John stopped short in his tracks.
Look here, Bill, that's hard to swul-
low. can't imagine Mrs. c. being any
thing but perpetual dyed-in-the-wool
angel. l don't believe she could get
madH'
"Madl Your Henrietta isn't one,
two. three to her when her temper's
up"
"Henriettai What do you mean?
Shes the sweetest, most amiable girl
you can imagine, and If she hadn't
a.. ,.rF,, che 10 gh.rI buya Loft