The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1917-06-07
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Copyright. 1917. by W. G. Chapman.)

the target inanimate, yes!" observed
Rolfe Dexter.
There was a somewhat nettled and
bitter intonation to the words and
Dexter's friend directed a quick,
searching look at his face. Dexter,
however, pursued the theme no fur
Their. They parted and he went his
way, his chin on his breast, his eyes
glooming, his whole presentment that
of a man having grievance and nurs-
| Ing 1t.
He and his friend had just passed
the home of Eleanor Tying. Where the
lawn ran down to clear, wide long
expanse stood Eleanor and some girl
| friends. They were superbly equipped
with bows and arrows, archery outfit,
target and high spirits were all in ac-
cord with eager contests of skill.
Eleanor had noted the two passers-
by. She never looked at Rolfe and
bestowed a mere crisp nod upon his
friend. The latter had admiringly
commented on two center shots Eleanor
had comprised before they got out of
sight of the fair garden spot.
"She won't have another opportu-
nifty to ostracize me-" sollloQuized
ROlfe determinedly. ut seems that
she has decided to blot me out of her
life. All well and good. / will go
back to the dull old city law office and
forget her"
Forthwith, on his arrival at home,
Rolfe sat down promptly and wrote his
young law partner, Bert Ravens, that
he might expect him back next Mon
day morning for good. In q way, up
to week previous Rolfe had decided
to marry Eleanor, locate in Spring
field and give up his old ambition to
metropolitan fame and wealth.
1t was no wonder, for Eleanor had
been loving flancee. Everything had
gone smoothly until at a lawn party
one evening Rolfe had made a good
deal of certain Daisy Worden. 1t
was because Daisy was an old flame of
Rolfe's that Eleanor took offense. Iii
turn Eleanor Immediately accepted as
an escort Ross Evans. If there was
anybody in Springfield whom Rolfe
disliked 1t was this shallow, presump-
tious fop. Rolfe escorted Miss Word
en- to her home, and the last Rolfe
saw of Ross the latter was languish-
ing about Eleanor with all the airs of
a successful rival.
They met the next day, Eleanor and
Rolfe. 1t was fatal to the true soulful
ness of both that each was headstrong
and resentful. A chance imputation
of disloyalty from Rolfe was a spark
to the finder of Eleanor's quick tenn
per. Her snappish retort made him
say more bitter things. The next morn
ing ne received by mail the engage
ment ring. Holly excited, Rolfe prompt
ly returned to Eleanor her letters and
some keepsakes she had given him.
They had not spoken since.
1t took two days to realize the wreck
of all his happiness, and Eleanor near
ly cried her eyes out over the result
of her wretched pettishness. Neither,
however, would make the first adj
partnership, Rolfe naturally turned to
Daisy. They were good deal togeth-
er, but Rolfe very soon realized that
no one could fill the void in his life,
and Miss Worden was rather bored at
the attentions of an escort always de-
pressed and plainly showing that he
cared nothing for her at heart.
Eleanor followed the system of all
piqued maidens. She fllrted unmerci-
fully with Ross. The latter took this
as homage, but for marvel he did not
infringe on this new friendship. In
fact, both he and Daisy had a speclous
secret mutually understood, and the
existence never guessed at by either
Eleanor or Rolfe until q climax came.
1t came in time, it seemed, eventu-
ating on the evening of the day before
that upon which Rolfe had decided to
leave Springfield forever. All day long
Eleanor had strolled about the garden
in sadly dispirited frame of mind.
Some friends had come over for bout
at her favorite pastime, but Eleanor
was in no mood for archery. She eX-
cused herself on the plea of n sick
headache. Her solitude increased aft
or her friends had left, for her father
and mother went away late in the aft
ernoon to be gone on an automobile
trip to another town. Eleanor was ly-
ing on couch in her room upstairs
when the housemaid intruded apollo
getically.
"Would you mind, Miss Eleanor, If
| took the evening Off instead of my
regular one, Friday l have cousin
to my folks, and I'd like to visit with
her."
mo, Mary" replied Eleanor, 81
shall not need you. In an hour or so
will lock up and go to bed. l am all
tired out"
Heartslck, she should have said, but
of course she would not tell Mary that.
Eleanor heard Mary close the front
door after her as she left the house.
Then she went to the open window and
sat down by 1t and sat staring out at
the fast fading landscape. And then
her glance became fixed on lighted
window, not a hundred feet distant.
The Dexters lived the distance Of one
intervening lot from the Tying place.
And that light Eleanor well knew was
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