Gilpin observer., 1920-10-14
VIII m the
Owl Hoots
By r. RAY BAKER

20. 1890. by Mcclure Newspaper syndicate.)
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 q
resentful, naughty expression.
mo. 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 w0rld-ex-
cept you?"
The lines of her fathers face-not
deep lines, but distinctly visible ones
gathered themselves into stern look.
II have told you repeatedly" he
said, "that want the affair to end. l
have no use for Billy or any of his
family. I repeat once more. / 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 a 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 1t to. Just wait-wait till I
tell Billy. and that's going to be soon."
She continued on the path, wiping
away the tears with handkerchief,
and presently came to clearing,
where bench stretched between two
trees. A young man, who at first
glance possessed a very youthful face
but grew older as you looked at it,
was seated on the bench, in a waiting
attitude.
"Billy!" cried Lucille, and he stood
up smiling; but the smile vanished
when he saw she had been crying.
whats the matter?" he asked solic
itously, and passed an arm around her
waist and led her to the bench, where
once more the floodgates were broken
down and with her head on Billy's
shoulder she cried without restraint.
Its father" she said, finally gain
ing composure. II just had a set-to
with him. He's forbidden me again to
keep up this affair with you, as he
calls it. What'l we doY
Billy looked ferocious.
"I Just had the same experience with
mother" he said. "She told me had
to stop 1t. She doesn't like your IA
ther; does she, Lucile?"
isn't it hard" observed Lucille,
'that just when we have come to think
so much of each other our parents
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 do?"
"Yes, it's hard" he agreed. with an
air of resignation, which. however,
changed quickly to one of determine
ton. "Whatll we do. did you say?
I'll tell you what we'll dol"
His eyes were blazing.
"I'll tell you what we'll do," and
gradually his voice sank to whisper.
while he looked around the glen as
though expecting to discern spies peep
ing from behind trees. 'Tll tell you
what we'll do. Wen elope. that's
what"
Her eyes grew big.
"Listen," he went on. "It's all ar
ranged for me to go 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 flivver. and there
we'll wake up some parson and get
married, and catch the train for Gin
cInnati. Wen bring the affair to an
end, that's what"
The startled expression on Lucile's
face had subsidized and one Of en-
thusinsm had taken its place.
"All right. It's CO." she said. then
added dolefully: But how? l could
never pass fathers room at night with
out waking him"
Leave II to me-" he retorted conf
IDENTIFY. "You he ready. and when you
hear an owl hoot twice look out your
window. Just leave the details to
me-"
II was a dark night.
With stealthy step slim figure
slipped from the woods into the back
yard and looked about. A twig
snapped and the figure started. then
stood motionless. Presently It laughed
softly.
could things be more convenient 2"
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 IL TO the house. letting one
end rest under window from which
shone n feeble light.
Then he paused and crouchcd be-
meath the ladder. while two hoots of
nm cxyt snnnhnl I'm mid cnceaSgInn