The Marietta journal. (Marietta, Ga.) 1918-1944, 1920-10-15
When the
Owl Hoots
BY 4. RAY BAKER


Lucille, don't you think this affair
with young Hazard has gone far
enough-in fact, too far?"
Lucile's rather pert face took on
resentful, naughty expressions
"No. it hasn't!" she snapped, and
then modified her tone, for she was
addressing her father, and Lucille had
not been brought up to snap at her
father. Don't you understand, father,
that care for Billy Hazard more than
anybody else in the whole world--ex-
cept your"
The lines of her fathers face-not
deep lines, but distinctly visible ones
gathered themselves into a stern look.
Il have told you repeatedly" he
said. that want the affair to end
have no use for Billy or any Of his
family. repeat once more, I want
this affair to end"
Lucille without replying, flounced
from the house. She was biting her
lip hard to keep harsh words in, and
tears welled in her attractive gray
eyes. She followed path into the
woods at the back of her home. and
when she was safe In the sanctuary
Of the foliage the tears burst forth.
"All right, all right she sobbed.
"The affair will end-but not the way
you want it to. Just wait-wait till
tell Billy, and that's going to be soon."
She continued on the path. wiping
away the tears with a handkerchief,
and presently came to a clearing
where bench stretched between two
trees. A young man. who at first
glance possessed very youthful face
but grew older as you looked at 1t,
was seated on the bench. in a waiting
attitude.
"Bllyw cried Lucille. and he stood
up smiling; but the smile vanished
when he saw she had been crying.
whats the matterT' he asked solic-
itously. and passed an arm around her
waist and led her to the bench, where
once more the fioodgates were broken
| down and with her head Cd Biily's
shoulder she cried without restraint.
"It's father" she said. finally gain
ing composure. 81 just had a set-to
with him. He's forbidden me again TO
keep up this affair with you, as he
calls 1t. What'll we do?"
Billy looked ferocious.
81 just had the same experience with
mother" he said. "She told me I had
to stop it. She doesn't like your IA
Their; does She Lucile?"
isn't ii hard,' observed Lucille,
''that just when we have come to think
should object? When we didn't really
think seriously about getting married
| they used to encourage us to care.
isn't that the way things go. though ?
! Parents are so unreasonable and hard
to manage But what'll we dOT
"Yes. it hard" he agreed. with an
air of resignation. which. however.
changed quickly to one of determine
ton. "What'll we do. did you say?
I'll tell you what we'll dor
| E1IS eyes were DldLlllS.
"T1l tell you what we'll do" and
| gradually his voice sank to a whisper,
while he looked around the glen as
though expecting to discern spies peep
ing from behind trees. an tell you
what well do. Well eIope, that's
what"
Her eyes grew big.
"Listen." he went on. "Tt's all ar
ranged for me to 90 to Cincinnati to-
morrow night. You know that have
+ good job in an insurance office there.
What we'll do is leave tonight, both of
us. Wen get Seth Hanley to drive us
{ to Teachout in his fivver. and there
we'll wake up some parsOn and get
married. and catch the train for Gin
cinnati. Well bring the affair to an
end that's what"
The startled expression on Lucile's
face had subsidized and one of en-
thusiasm had taken its place.
"All right it's 60" she said then
added d0lefully: "Rut how! 7 could
never pass fathers room at night with
out waking him."
leave it 70 me-" he retOrted conf
IDENTIFY. "YOu he ready. and when you
| hear an owl boot twice look out your
window. Just leave the details to
me-"
II was dark night.
With stealthy step slim figure
slipped from the woods into the back
ward and looked about. A twig
Snapped and the figure started. then
stood mOtiOnIess. Presently It laughed
softly.
Gould things he more cOnvenientT'
he whispered. and crept TO the side of
the building that had once been a
barn. A ladder leaned against the
building.
The figure seized the ladder and
carried II To the house. letting one
end rest under a window from which
shone a feeble light.
Then he paused and crouched be-
meath the ladder. while two boots of
an owl sounded IN rapid succession.