The Yale expositor. (Yale, St. Clair County, Mich.) 1894-current, 1921-06-23
CHANTlCLEER
BY MARIE LOUISE sTETsoN.

moSphere and the air OF comfort per-
vading his bachelor apartments. They
had once seemed home, but that was
before Margaret had 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 way of getting on. In be-
lated counting days, too, Robert still
showed that tendency to daily, and
yet, though Margaret knew 1t not,
she had been welcomed 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 thwarted as student and
business man had never been.
'COnfound those Rhode Island
Reds" he muttered under his breath.
'Gladioli,' strawberries, poultry A
cabbage or pig craze will come next,
/ presume. These women They've
put up big fight and got the ballot.
Why can't they settle down and be
satisfed?" 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
L., i.ht Chiptno In, hn rod
glow of the fire.
The Hilton farm is a little more
than a mile from the city postotiice.
Barlow had often covered the distance
in three-quarters of an hour, but on
that particular Sunday afternoon, ir-
ritability within aud autumnal chilli
ness without gave new impetus to
rapid walking. He was surprised in
CHANGING up from a long perusal of
the sidewalk TO find himself passing
the old Norris place, an eyesore i'm
an otherwise attractive neighborhood.
On the sunny, if weather-heaten,
doorstep sat Enos Norris.
Barlow nodded and passed ON.
Across the road and little farther
up the hill were the well-kept farm
buildings owned by Margaret's father.
Snug contcntment Of the same sort
she shows" was his unspoken COM
ment. "To be smiled at forever and
day and yet tn find the conversa-
ton switched off onto Rhode Island
Reds whenever fellow tried To he
serious"
Suddenly around the corner Of the
house, the lord of the henyard came
fluttering and squawking into view,
rose-cheeked, hying-haired little
woman in hot pursuit.
"Oh, Bob, can't you catch him"
she cried excitcdly. Don't let him
get into the road, for PHYS sake"
Barlow dashed out into the road,
arms waving threateningly, 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. Bob?' In
spite of the torn and mud-stained
gown, Barlow thought the lady of his
choice had never looked half so sweet
as when she peeped up at him through
a pair of dancing eyes and blushing-
~ asked the question.
Barlow smiled. Certainly. You
surely don't think l came away up
here merely for the joy Of chasing
rooster over plowed ground and
through gooseberry bushes, do your?
She laughed. mo, l don't suppose
you did, but I'm ever so glad you
were here. 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 once
you have needed me, I've needed
you, Margaret, longer than l care to
saw"
She was silent for moment. Then
she smiled one of those battling smiles.
Don't let's talk about 1t out here
on the porch. Come In. L have
confession to make"
Once beyond the closed door, she
again looked up and smiled.
Bob, was afraid for long time
was going to up and love YOU"
"Why didn't your l shouldn't have
made any objections"
II didn't dare to. Do you know
Mr.. Enos Norris7"
by sight"
And Mrs. Enos2"
1--WE heard her voice.
Then you know her. Mrs. Enos Is
what Mrs. Enos is because Mr.. Enos
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 man that was slow.
I thought you were"
"Am to take 1t you've changed
your mindT
Eyes, but I'm afraid I'd never have
found you out but for that spunky