The Idaho recorder. [volume] (Salmon City, Idaho) 1886-1927, 1921-10-21
THE BACHELOR
BY FLORENCE A. FRENCH

less stretches OF barren Sahu MIMI nv
feetly splendid backgrounds for sun
shades. and when the sunshade 10 |
question is flaming cerise and the
beach Is otherwise deserted, the enect
produced is startling. ! might have
known would be pursued by woman |
sooner or later, but scarcely thought |
the frivolous sex would care 10 venture
into this bleak and barren neck OF the
woods
| |, Grey s. Payson. was anything our
pleased AT the prospect, for II looked
as II this designing creature were set
| tied for comfortable morning IN my
| favorite rocky retreat. or course
could not risk getting acquainted with
her, and remaining longer on the beach
would most certainly mean getting ac-
quainted Not that ] would be guilty
| OF bringing 1t about, but she would
probably faint or ask to borrow my
fountain pen or need rescuing from
something or other. TITS the silly
| ways of all Daughters of Eve.
| A deep pity stirred my being. The
injustice of II all A ruined vacation.
and, the cause--a woman! ] had
swift vision Of being forced to accom-
pany her on frequent rambles, helping
her by her nervous. clinging HANDS
over innumerable rocks and exertinc
my manly strength In her behalf.
"Ye gods!" | exclaimed wrathfully,
"when is a bachelor safer
Generous fathers and beaming moth
ers bent on disposing OF their bon-bon
daughters, had haunted me. Forward
maidens had openly proposed to me,
yet, thus far, had escaped the hor-
rible clutches Of matrimony.
loved my wild, desolate bit OF
northern coast, the barren fishing VII
lage and its simple fisherfok. And
now woman from another world had
invaded my paradise! ! spent most
miserable morning avoiding her.
BY so doing ! acquired an aching
head and a 24-hour crouch. to say moth
Ing of my splendidly bllstered feet.
1 Flooding wearily home l resolved to
1 meet the enemy and--ignore her. Hav.
4 Ing resolved upon this procedure.
4 was eager to begin 1t, and 1t was
4 therefore with much delight that
4 CHANGED 10 come upon the annoying
i person. calmly seated upon my golden
sands, gazing with vacant eyes upon
a my foamy ocean, the cerlse parasol O
8 most glaring evidence. Seating my
q self at distance, l lit my pipe
\ and turned my back on her. I'll show
her!
;. To my amazement the enemy re
manned oblivious to my presence.
= chuckled. Her indifference was TOT
= good to be true. and ! only hoped !
:, would last all morning
a 1t did.
10 II was noon when she arose grace
q fully and slowly made her way dowi
N the beach toward the village. ] cough
II full glimpse OF the intruder. for sh
N lowered her sunshade. In fash
70 dawned upon me that snappier al
ve tire would best become my mani
n figure. l had somewhat neglected IN
n person during my solitary watch b
the sea.
1t was therefore with grent prid
II that ! made my appearance befor
T" breakfast, bedecked In cool white far
nels.
~ Then resolved to be nice to he
After all she was probably a very o.
binary person. had made mouI
!, tain out OF mole hill, and by jung
:. she wasn't bad lookingl II was the
/ discovered that the lady had begu
~ the ignoring method herself. 81
= snubbed me openly. With eyes thu
seemed to look through me. yet sa
'. me not, she passed me. l might hay
been a man Of stone for all she SCENE
a. beach. breathed the same air, and "
I. Grey s. Payson. a bachelor of sou
Importance. was ignored by womn
with a cerise parasol
20 week dragged by. The intrud'
stayed on. and 50 did l. for why. pra.
should this naughty person drive II
from my haven? She should moi
w Her behavior puzzled me at first. 4
Swallowed her eagerly. !. too. coul
- play my cards and the last trick woul
he mine
Sunday dawned bright and gloriou
The glittering sands and water bee
oned TO me, and likewise to ceris
sunshade. ! spied II peeking over
y boulder. ] FASTENED eagerly, a sen
n on my lips. would approach III
n damsel. bow gravely pass the time ,
day and depart. couldn't be too Cal
tious. SO. adjusting my nose gia
n ses, made boldly toward the famlI
color.
hesitated Mt the sound Of voice
She was not alone. II was a mascl
line voice. At that moment she a.
peared. u flush on her pretty face.
"There he Is. Reggie; the brute
was rudely grasped by a tall. sill
D young man and shaken violently.
let me explain. !" ] muttered feebi
'Tll teach you TO annoy my wife
Numbered Reggie. as he ratified m
Irt