Chicago eagle. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1889-19??, 1917-09-29
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swimming OF CLARA.
BY n. L. sTERRET.



Dear me, viii, why will you be so
annoying? When you're nice, I'm sure
you are very nice, but when you begin
to talk that way"
asked Will Sinclair, as he dug his
heels into the soft earth beside the
fallen tree on which they were sitting.
II simply love you, and I must say So"
THAT'S just It," said Clara English,
pouting. "Theres no doubt you say 1t
often enough. For two weeks you
have said hardly anything else.
Frankly, I'm weary of your swan song.
Please don't begin all over again."
"You are heartless fllrt," said the
young man cOldly, as he rose to his
feet. "YOu have accepted my atten-
tons. well knowing your power, have
led me on, and when admit my love,
scOrn me-"
II like you very much, WILL" said
the girl, lifting her shy eyes. THAT is,
when you are good. But love is not
everything. Oh, know you have
money, but what want is somebody
who will be my master, who will rule
me. I want to be run away with;
elope, or do something. This thing
Of loving and wedding just like ordi-
nary folks is revolving to my soul. Now
when you do something grand, or
smash record somewhere, come back
and well talk It all over. I'm going
In to tea now, so gOOdby."
Will gazed after the 1.-THE, supple
figure of his sweetheart as she walked
away toward the distant farmhouse
where they were putting in their vaca-
ton. He was filed with mOOdiness
and disgust.
He jumped up, and striking his cane
wrathfully against an unOffending
stump. was about to follow In the wake
Of the disappearing girl, when he
heard low chuckle beside him. Turn
Ing, he saw the wrlnkled and whls-
kered face of the farmer grlnning
cheerfully. jasper Stebbins, farmer
and horse snapper, had keen sense
Of the absurd, but also a heart big
enough for two men.
81 heard you maxim love to the GAL"
he said. "An' heard what she said
back to you. Now don't git mad,
young Teller. I'm twice your age an
I've bin through 1t all. Land sakes.
I mind when I was courtln' Mandy,
how she kept me guessin'. That
girls likely colt, but she needs to
be broke. Want to try?"
"What do you mean by spying on
me?' demanded the youth angrily.
wouldn't git huffy, II I was you."
calmly responded the old man. "That's
n gal wuth saving, an she kin be had.
You know she's goin' down to Miss
Berry's past the bend In the lane to-
night arter supper, an you oughter
set out an keep her company. There's
lot of tramps hangin' about these
days, an faint no proper place for a
gal to trail oil alone. II was you
I'd be kinder handy down to the bend
in case there's any racket there"
Good heavens" calculated the
young man excltedly, Us he acted on
the hint and started off ut a run.
After supper Clara loitered about
the porch while in the hope that VIII
would appear and escort her down the
country lane. Finally she started
alone, determined to make her call and
get back before 1t was too late In spite
Of him.
She strobe on her way, glancing now
and then ut the new moon. II was q
beautiful country lane with rail fences
on both sides, and huge elms, dropping
with foliage, fringing the path.
Hold on n minnit, lady" suddenly
exclaimed rough voice ut her elbow.
I'm big hurry, amt you? Guess you
can find time to talk to pore man as
hasn't had bite to eat fur two days."
| The girl turned In terror, and saw a
startling figure, clad In garments too
ragged to hide the powerful muscles
of arms and legs.
"All I want Is quarter and kiss, u
said the intruder. mo, you don't sit
of that way"
| As she whirled about to run the man
caught her wrist In an iron grip and
drew her towards him. A shrlll, de-
spairing cry for help burst from the
girls lips.
; Then over the fence leaped a young
man, his eyes ablaze with wrath. He
dashed the tramp to the ground, and
the latter, arising, sprang swiftly
away.
my brave Will," sobbed Clara as
she chung to him, chow frightened
was. You won't let him come near me
again, will your"
"It's all right, Clara" he returned
"YOu are safe with me, darling"
| II am so glad"
"Are you? Then will you let me be
your protector always?"
always"
| AS the lovers walked away together
Uncle Jasper lifted a grinning face
above the fence. "There's different
ways of breakin' FLIES. Some takes II
easy and some is shy, but they all
learn to travel In double harness II
they amt spilled by too much coaxin'
Reckon I'd better git home now, OF
Mandy'll be scared fur me-"
Copyright. 1917, by W. @. Chapman)
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