Chicago eagle. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1889-19??, 1917-09-22
M "a N ~ n N - ~ ~ - - Am
|. HIS LAST MATCH :

BY ISABEL FROST.

WY VA IA IN "a "a IA IA N ma N IA wy
The professor had noticed his fell
low travellers but slightly on the trip
to the caves from his hotel ut Staun-
ton. He was deep in description of
the famous caverns, and making notes
of special features he was anxious to
see.
Another thing the professor was not
susceptible to feminine influence, how
ever proximtous. He had been
| guest Mt the Mountain View hotel for
| five weeks, jaunting hither and yon on
his research work, and never had even
! the suspicion of romance crossed his
path; but just as they reached the end
| of the road leading to the caves he had
| closed his notebook. placed IL In his
inner pocket and glanced up to meet
the most interesting eyes he had ever
seen. gazing at him questionngly.
There were two persons before him
the owner of tfle eyes and her COM
pnnion, evidently relative. The first
was about twenty. her travelling suit
was dark brown linen, her hat OF
close brown straw, her waist Of pom
| gee and her eyes and hair were brown.
| Her companion, the professor noted
hastily. was somewhere I'm the uncer-
tain years of spinsterhood.
At the entrance to the caves the two
went ahead as the professor fingered,
lured by the printed description In the
guide.books for sale ut the door.
| The professor received his torch and
tucked II under his arm, nbsent-mlnd-
edly, quite as IL IL had been baton.
He ignored the little box Of safety
matches held out by the man, and
made way into the caves jubiantly.
Far in advance rambled Mollie and
Miss Annabel. II was Mollie's first
trip In vacation time; in fact, IL was
her first year MS h teacher. and now
instead of keeping her mind firmly on
Miss Annabcls dissertation on stag
mnlites and stnlactytes, she was won
dering whether every one was inter-
ested In such things, whether that nice
blond boy with the eyeglasses who had
sat opposite to them in the stage really
and truly enjoyed going through
caves on midsummer day.
She hardly caught what Miss Anna
bel was saying when all ut once the
lights went out and they were in pitch
darkness.
"Thank goodness we have our
torchcs!" exclaimed Miss Annnbel
thankfully. "Bc careful where you
step. The bottomless lake IL just be-
yond us-or was It the pool Of the
Gnomcs? Do you remember Mollie"
~ don't remember anything" re-
piled Mollie desperately, "and haven't
any matches. What do you suppose
has happened?"
Just then guides voice sounded
far Mt the end Of the cavern. Some
thing had happened mt the power
plant. The lights would be turned on
ut any instant. Every one was to stay
on the exact spot where they were and
move Mt their own peril. Even rs he
said this there came splash. Not n
loud one. but just rs II stone had
been tossed into the lake, and then n
voice almost within a few feet Of
them.
"Its all right" said the professor,
III was my match safe. was nerv.
Gus, and II fell from my hands, but
I've one last match left. think Wen
have TO risk It for our torches"
Haven't YOU any paperf" asked
Miss Annabel sharply. 1--WE could
twist tapers and conserve the light
, supply In this way"
The professor shuddered. He had
only his notebook, filed with precious
data for several magazine articles. He
struck the match rs n last hope, and
It caught the pitch.dlppcd tow on the
, end Of his torch. The flare Of light re-
vealod the two on the rocks below him.
The lights failed to go up, and
guides came through the caverns to
lead all tourists out safely. Miss An
J mabel went ahead while the professor
aided Mollie. At the entrance he held
her hand eagerly.
~ think we're stopping Mt the same
hotel" he said. II am Professor Win.
. thrOp Of Hartsdale college, Monticello.
In. Might CALF"
Miss Annnbel was visibly impressed,
and MOllle disappointed. He had not
looked one bit like professor.
But the professor persevered, and
the morning before they were to have
! left for the West Miss Annabel tapped
Mt Mollie's door long while, receiving
no answer. She had left note on her
pin cushion that told the whole story
"Dear Miss Annabel-I know you
will blame me horribly, but couldn't
bear Just to teach school for the next
twenty years rs you have done. Phil
and I have eloped. hope you will
have a pleasant trip back home. Low
ingly, MOLLIE."
Copyright, 1917, by the Mcclure Newspa-
| per Syndicale)