Carroll County democrat. (Huntingdon, Tenn.) 188?-1971, 1921-04-22
Murray, the Waffle
Fiend
BY BARBARA KERR

! the r0omlng house next door, "tnal
these dear old houses that have seen
better days must inevitably, like their
stricken old owners, go into the dis
card? l know that the Gentry home
must shudder when it cOntemplates
the fact that you and / are the only
living things that keep up its respec-
liability and prevent it also becoming
rooming house with noisy rooming-
house kids sliding down its walnut
banisters, and clacking, gossiplng
clearinghouse women infesting its
sacred precincts"
Bob laughed. "'Pon my soul, Ruth,
you talk like man--why clacking2"
They are; they have nothing to
do; their prying eyes follow me from
cellar to garnet till l want to ask them
to come over and help to do something
useful" declared Ruth, who had been
asked three times that day if hers was
rooming house, she kept house so
strenuously for Bob.
tits yours for an early breakfast if
you catch that fiye-thirty train, Bud
dy. Better make that page your last
one" and she rumpled his hair low
ingly as she passed his chair.
She arose noiselessly next morning,
hurried into a bungalow apron and
nifty cap and went down to prepare
the waftles, her usual treat for Bob
when he was going away for the day.
They were very devoted, trying to
make up to each other for the loneli-
ness of the big house since their pa
rents died.
Ruth paused a moment, thinking 1t
time to run up and call Bob, but, hear
ing noise of e moving chair on the
porch, she ran out and in the hazy
dawn, noting his comfortable pose, his
feet on the balustrade, she slipped up
and, nibbling his ear, said "Waffles
and maple sirup now ready in the din
ing car"
She darted back, snatching open the
waffle iron and filing a nice, hot plate,
placed it for Bob before he came into
the dining room.
She was filling the iron when Bob
entered the kitchen, paused at her ell
bow and in a most peculiar tone
asked: May / inquire who is the
waffle fendT
Ruth looked up, trying to fathom
his expression; he gazed at her. "Yes,
slows them away like a tramp" "The
tinkle of a knife against a glass in
the dining room startled her. She
rushed in; nice, mellow voice asked:
ANY more of those wonderful waf-
1es, darling?" and pair Of fine brown
eyes smiled at her as she leaned weak
ly against the door, while Bob, bris-
Ting like a terrier, strobe forward.
"What do you mean by speaking to
my sister In that way?"
Eyes, and what do you mean by
coming into our house In this way?"
demanded the angry Ruth.
The young man arose hurriedly to
his feet, looking from one to the 9TH
er, as if not sure that he was awake.
my walIles are burning" moaned
Ruth, dashing to the kitchen.
please hurry-oh, what trag-
edyl" exclaimed the unexpected
guest. and the only real waflles I've
tasted since my mother died !"
OF course, with the mutinous blue
eyes of Ruth in the kitchen, the men
soon adjusted everything. Bob saw
how easy 1t was for stranger next
door to wander onto the wrong porch
at such an hour, as he was to motor
to nearby village at daybreak. SO
when Ruth returned with another
plate of hot waf1ies they were so en-
crossed with each other that Bob al
most forgot to introduce her till an ex-
clearing Of her throat warn
ed him. Both rose promptly.
Pardon, sis" begged Bob. This
Is Murray McIlvain, brother of an old
college mate; he's rooming next door
We've been brushing up mutual &C.
quaintances."
Ruth, her face study, looked as If
she were not going to acknowledge the
but Mr.. McIlvain, with
his most ingratiating smile, held out
his hand. II know any one who can
make such waffles as these will not |
hold grudge against poor innocent |
whom fate led into an ambush. Be-
sides am the injured party-think of |
my lacerated ear"
Ruth blushed 1.-THE waffles," she |
an excuse to take refuge |
in the kitchen. When she returned she /
did not mind the rallying of Bob and
Murray about her biting his ear.
"You must nave thought 1t a most |
playful waitress" leased Bob.
swell, / was a bit stunned" admit
ted Murray, 'but after seeing and
tasting those waffles was just going
to ask her to bite the other ear, when
you appeared"
Elbow about your train, Buddy"
warned mOtherly Ruth.
Bob sprang up. you'll excuse me,
Murray; Wen continue this evening.
Maybe there's more batter Sis
Reluctantly Ruth admitted little
more. Enough for you and just one
liA.la n..nrtor. Cor r,,n2n rlnndad Muir.