The Chickasha daily express. (Chickasha, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1899-current, 1917-08-22
M Va N nj N IA rs 81 ~ raN EsEK
= = HIS LAST MATCH =
n by ISABEL FROST. Fa
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BY ISABEL FROST.
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The professor had noticed his fel-
low travellers but slightly on the trip
to the caves from his hotel az Staun.
ton. He was deep IA a 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 proxlmltous. He had been a
guest at 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 1t in his
inner pocket and glanced up to meet
the most interesting eyes he had ever
seen gazing at Am questlonlngly
There were two persons before him
the owner of the eyes and her CONF
panion, evidently a relative. The first
was about twenty, her travelling suit
was a 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 In 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
gulde-books for sale at the door.
The professor received HIS torcl and
tucked 1t under his arm, absent-mfhd-
edly, quite as If it had been baton.
He ignored the little box Of safety
matches held out by the man, and
made way into the caves inbilantly.
Far In advance rambled Mollle and
Miss Annabel. It was Molles FIRST
trip IN vacation time in fact, Il was
her first year as a teacher, and now
instead of keeping her mind firmly on
Miss Annabels dissertation on stag
malltes and stalactytes, she was won
derlng 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 at once the
lights went out and they were in pitch
darkness. Rs
"Thank goodness we have our
torchesi" exclaimed Miss Annabel
thankfully. "Be careful where you
step. The bottomless lake,,is just be-.
yond us-or was it the pool Of the
Gnomes? Do you remember, Mollie"
Il don't remember anything" re-
piled Molle desperately "and l haven't
any matches. What do you suppose.
has happened?"
Just then a guides voice sounded
far at the end of the cavern. Some
thing had happened at the power
plant. The lights would be turned on
at any instant. Every one was to stay
on the exact spot where they were and
move at their own peril. Even as no
said this there came a splash Not
loud one. but just as If a stone had
been tossed into the lake, and then q
voice almost within few feet Of
them.
ats all right" said the professor,
ri was my match safe. / was nerv-
Gus, and it fell from my hands, but
I've one last match left. ] think We'll
have to risk 1t for our torches
Haven't you any paperl' asked
Miss Annabel sharply. "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 as last hope. and
it caught the pitch-dipped' tow oni the
end of his torch. The flare Of light5re-
vealed thf two on the rocks below him.
The llybts failed to go up, apd
guides came through the caverns to
lead all tourists out safely. Miss. An
mabel went ahead, while the professor
nided Mollie., At the entrance he held
her hand eagerly
81 think we're &topping at theAsame
hotel" he said. Il am Professor Win
throp Of Hartsdale college, Monticello,
H. Might l CALI"
Miss Annabel was visibly impressed,
md Mollie disappointed. He had not
looked one bit like a professor.
But the professor persevered, and
the morning before they were to have
left for the West Miss Annabel tapped
at Mollle's door a long while, receiving
no answer. She had left note on her
pin cushion that told the whole story.
Dear Miss Annabel-I know YOU
viii blame me horribly, but l couldn't
bear just to teach school for the next
twenty years as you have done. Phil
and I have eloped. hope you will
have a pleasant trip back home Low
lngly. NOZZLE
1917. BY the Mcclure Newspa-
per syndicatel s s-