Mexico weekly ledger., 1921-03-03
THE POET
BY JACK LAYTON.
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said, shat you are looking thin, Don.
and worried"
The young men sat before the fire.
place in Bob's bachelor apartment. 1t
was sometime since the two had met,
and after the usual rec0llections Of
college days spent together, Bob,
eying his friend over the bowl Of his
pipe, made the concerned remark.
Il I'M worried,p Don burst out Inn
pulsiveiy, terribly worried over
Helen, which is the new name my
fiancee has given herself, and it's part
Of the new foolishness that possesses
herr Where she got 1t / don't know,
unless the poet fellow who gave
readings before her aunt's culture
class put the nonsense into her head.
However that may be, an ordinary
man is mere common clay, In Helen's
Opinion, since the poet made his en-
ttance and exit. !, 1t appears, am
tine commonest Of all because Of my
ttevotion to business. And she has
mot spared my feelings in limiting
fthat a matter Of fact business man is
1no fitting mate for her. She must
OSCAR, she says, whatever that may be,
to a more e~levatlng sphere, and all
that rot.
I'VE quarrel every time We meet.
She wants a poet for a lover. So
I'm out"
Donald leaned forward abruptly.
"And It hurts to lose her." he said,
that's the strange part of it. With
All her unreasonable whims, little
Helen Is the only one girl for me-"
Bob Chalmers studied the fire with
an amused smile.
couldn't you turn poet" he asked,
until her fancy passesT
Donald Bruce arose and reached
for his coat.
mo, / can't" he answered shortly.
sand. the thing is not a fancy with
Helen, but a conviction. My middle
name is Gloom. these days. Can /
drop In and unload my troubles when
a pass your city next month? It's
Imighty nice to have a friend on my
route" Y
always welcome" Bob Chalmers
answered. Where did you say that
your little girl lives7" G
SIN Elsmere," Donald replied, "a
mall town in easy committing dis
lance.
Bob Chalmers whistled meditatively
aa he removed his necktie and con-
fmQed to whistle rumpling his wavy
locks before the mirror.
Af the end of a month Donald came
again. Bob Chalmers greeted him
cordially, then as his friend vas
c9mfortably seated in the big chair,
EAHDh frowned.
A sfThinner and more worn looking
eyer!" he exclaimed.
fEon also frowned.
We'll. don't rub it in" he said. "If
se is fool enough to fall In love with
ssirl, one has to keep on loving her.
seems. At least that's my case.
And now-"h he laughed shortly, "there
is no hope for me, at all. Helen has
net her poet" III
Bob stared.
'Ohl Well, poets these. days are
much like their brothers." he COM
forted. "Have to be up to date and
busy. The idyllic dreamer was a
product Of the past"
ssk5e is all that the heart of a roman
tie maiden could wish. My own sister
III touched with Helen's enthusiasm
aescribes this strangers charms by
tae hour, then sits looking pensively
Into space. 1t would almost" added
Bruce, make you sick. His names
enough to make a mar sick. too
NReaie Laverne,"
ounds made up" said Bob.
Probably Is" Donald agreed.
The evening was not a success. Don
Took his departure early.
Tim not good company" he sadly
ld his friend. In understanding
hnpathy Boo wrung his hand.
Eleer up" he said, "and do not fail
elf3p over on Your next trip"
Rfsnald's next coming was after
aaQl&h than a months absence. Bob,
M fHNft NAAS tbdSh ulONl N tiC lamp, III
sntf bling at nothing in particular,
%he ard his friends yelce at the door.
"Come right In, Dom" he called, and
v ION came In. His face was beaming.
fell promptly into the proffered
clklair and as promptly began his story.
"You see" he explained II can't
.EH|atay long, for Helen is just around
the corner at her aunt's, waiting for
me to take her to the theater. We
are engaged again, and / guess the
Sfpet did the job for me. Anyway,
ellen never wants to see a poet again.
Ned up as I understand It. Read
INfics to her morning, noon and eve
Ming. and incidentally took his meals
her house, later. to the disgust Of
me family. They rather liked the
! N6llOw at first, 1t appears, but when
M monopolized the house ana con-
fipued to overlook such worldly mat
Fters as taxi fares or the price OF opera
Nckets, when he and Helen went out
together, why, it was not only her
faith In him which was shaken, but
the whole structure Of her fancifhl
theory. Beauty Is all right in it's
placel you know, but present needs
recognized. Anyway, little Helen
sentR for me, and | went like a dog.
And now you should hear her pirate
Of The nobleness of true manhood,
med hing-myself.r
aAon.n his friend remarked quiet
IN. Fall has worked out as I expect