Okolona messenger., 1921-07-07
CHANTICLEER
BY MARIE LOUISE sTETsoN.


mosphere and the air Of comfort per-
vadlng his bachelor apartments. They
had once seemed home, but that was
before Margaret Lad been decided
upon as the woman in all the world.
In school days Robert had been
called slow. 1t was soon noted, how
ever, that information once registered
was ever after IN readiness for use.
Out in business hustlers had looked
upon him with suspicion, and yet
they were forced to admit he seemed
to have a way Of getting on. In be-
lated counting days, too, Robert still
showed that tendency to daily, and
yet, though Margaret Bnew 1t not
she had beenSwelcOmed into his heart
there to remain whatever her wish IN
the matter might be. 1t was exas-
perating, though, to find that the lover
was being tbwarted as student and
business man had never been.
'Confound those Rhode Island
Reds" he muttered under his breath.
'GIadioll,. strawberries, poultry A
cabbage or pig craze will come next,
/ presume. These wOmenl They've
put up big fight and got the ballot.
Why can't they settle down and De
satisfied?" And Robert, in a spirit OF
vindictiveness, kicked the brass and
irons faithfully rendering the service
for which they were created.
Small satisfaction, that. They mere
ly kept right on shining In the RED
glow of the fire.
The Hilton farm Is a little more
than q mile from the city pestoince.
Barlow had often covered the distance
in three-quarters of an hour, but on
that particular Sunday afternoon, ir-
ritabillty within and autumnal Chilli
ness without gave new impetus to
rapid walking. He was surprised IN
glancing up from long perusal OF
the sidewalk to find himself passing
the old Norris place, an eyesore In
an otherwise attractive neighborhOod.
On the sunny, If weather-beaten,
doorstep sat Enos Norris.
Barlow nodded and passed on.
Across the road and little farther
up the hill were the weIl-kept farm
buildings owned by Margaret's father,
"Smug contentment of the same sort
she shows" was his unspoken COM
ment. ITO be smiled at forever ana
day and yet to flnd the conversa'
ton switched of onto Rhode Island
Reds whenever fellow tried to be
seriOus!' aa g aG sts3t
Suddenly around the corner Of the
house, the tlord of the henyard came
fiuttering and squawking into view,
rose-cheeked, hying-haired little
woman in hot pursuit. ~
= "Oh. Bob. can't you catch himr
she cried excitedly. Don't let him
get into the road, for PHYS sake y
Barlow dashed out into the road.
arms waving threatenlngly. and Chan
ticleer, with an exclamation Of rage.
! changed his course in the direction
Of the gooseberry bushes.
That barnyard fowl was captured
only when gooseberry bushes, pressed
trousers, polished shoes and a dainty
afternoon gown gave evidence Of the
devastation Of war.
wont you come In, BObT n
spite OF the torn and mud-stalned
gown, Barlow thought the lady OF his
choice had never looked half so sweet
a. when she peeped up at him through
q pair Of dancing eyes and blushing'
" asked the question.
Barlow smiled. Certainly. You
surely don't think came away up
here merely for the 10y Of chasing .
rooster over plOwed ground and
through goOsebeEry bushes. do your
She laughed. mo. don't suppose
tou did, but I'm. ever 30 glad yoa
were here. I don't know what. l
should have done without you."
He looked keenly into the brown
eyes raised to his.
''Its gratifying to realize that orce
you have needed me. I've needed
you, Margaret, longer than ! care e
say"
l Sne was blteuI AVE y mVAnS1ts ANSaA
she smiled one Of those banning smiles.
Don't let's talk about it out here
on the porch. Come In. have q
confession to make"
Once beyond the closed door, she
again looked up and smiled.
"BOb, / was afraid for q long time
was going to up and love you."
"Why didn't youi ! shouldn't have
made any objections"
II didn't dare to. Do you know
Mr.. Enos NorrisT
"By sight"
And Mrs. EnOsf'
"I've heard her voice.
Thep you know her. Mrs. Enos q
what Mrs. EnOs is because Mr.. Ence
Is what Mr.. Enos Is. He's slower
than stock-still, and made up my
mind ages ago that whatever else did
I'd never marry a map that was slow.
l thought you were."
cam TO take It you've changed
your fnind7T
Eyes. but I'm afraid I'd never have
fo,,nd vou ont huf for that enunIkV