Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1918-01-09
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WINNING OF CLARA.
Ely H. L. sTERRET.
"a na d Ia Ia bal b Ea ns Ia m

you are very nice, out when you De6lh
to talk that way"
What do you expect chap to do?"
asked VIII Sinclair, as he dug his
heels into the soft earth beside the
fallen tree on which they were sitting.
81 simply love you, and must say So"
THAT'S just it," said Clara English,
pouting. There's no doubt you say it
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 flirt," said the
young man coldly, as he rose to his
feet. "You have accepted my atten-
tons, well showing your power, have
led me on, and when admit my love,
scorn me-"
81 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 l want is somebody
who will be my master, who will rule
me. l 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."
VIII 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 wrinkled and whis-
kered face of the farmer grinning
cheerfully. Jasper Stebbins, farmer
and horse snapper, had keen sense
of the absurd, but also a heart big
enough for two men.
Il heard you maxim love to the gal"
he said. "An' l heard what she said
back to you. Now don't git mad,
young feller. I'm twice your age an
I've bin through it all. Land sakes,
l mind when was courtin' Mandy,
how she kept me a guessin'. That
girls a likely colt, but she needs to
be broke. Want 10 try?"
what do you mean by spying on
me? demanded the youth angrily.
Wouldn't git huffy, If was you"
calmly responded the old man. That's
gal with 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
a lot of tramps hangin' about these
days, an faint no proper place for a
| gal to trail all alone. If l was you
| I'd be kinder handy down to the bend
| in case there's any racket there"
Good heavens!' CALCULATED the
young man excitedly, as he acted on
the hint and started off at run.
After supper Clara loitered about
| the porch a while in the hope that Will
would appear and escort her down the
country lane. Finally she started
| .iiu;ie. tlt erf ined 10 make htr call and
set haci. b fore it was TOO late in spite
of him.
She strobe on her way, glancing now
and then at the new moon. 1t was
beautiful country lane with rail fences
on both sides. and huge elms, dropping
with foliage, fringing the path.
Hold on a minnit, lady" suddenly
exclaimed rough voice at her elbow.
"In 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 want is quarter and kiss"
said the intruder. "No, you don't git
off that way"
AS she whirled about to run the man
caught her wrist in an iron grip and
| drew her towards him. A shrill, de-
| spairing cry for help burst from the
| girls lips.
Then over the fence leaped 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, show frightened |
| was. You won't let him come near me
again, will you"
Its all right, Clara" he returned.
You are safe with me, darling"
81 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 bre.akin' FLIES. Some takes II
easy and some is shy, but they all
learn to travel in double harness il
they amt spilled by too much coaXin'