Fitzgerald leader., 1921-03-24
The POET
SssgsSggSsgsgsgsesgsgsgsesg
(0, 1891, western Newspaper Union. J

aEf Inc young AaSu S1t euCAvAC lAiC AhD
place In Bob's bachelor apartment. It
was sometime since the two had met.
and after the usual recOllections Of
college days spent together, Bob,
eying his friend over the bowl Of his
pipe, made the concerned remark.
Il am worried" Don burst out inn
pulsively, terribly worried over
Helen, which is the new name my
fiancee has given herself, and it's part
OF the new fooiishness that possesses
her. Where she got it / don't know,
unless the poet fellow who gave
readings before her aunts 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-
trance and exit. /, it appears, am
the commonest of all because OF my
devotion to business. And she has
not spared my feelings in limiting
that matter Of fact business man is
no fitting mate for her. She must
soar, she says, whatever that may be
to a more elevating sphere, and ali
that rot.
1--WE quarrel every time we meet
She wants a poet for a lover. Sc
I'm out"
Donald leaned forward abruptly.
"And 1t hurts to lose her. he said
"that's the strange part Of It. With
ell 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 passes?"
Donald Bruce arose and reached
for his coat
aNo, can't" he answered shortly.
'And the thing is not fancy with
Helen, but a conviction. My middle
name Is Gloom, these days. Can
drop IN and unload my troubles when
/ pass your city next month? It's
mighty nice to have friend on my
route"
Always welcome" Bob Chalmers
answered. "Where did you say that
your little girl lives?v
s'In Elsmere," Donald replied, "a
small town In easy committing dis
tance.
Bob Chalmers whistled meditatively
as he removed his necktie and CON
finued to whistle rumpllng his wavy
locks before the mirror.
AT the end Of a month Donald came
again. Bob Chalmers greeted hin
cordially, then as his friend was
comfortably seated in the big chair
Bob frowned.
"Thinner and more worn looking
than everl" he exclaimed.
Don also frowned.
s'Well, don't rub 1t In" he said. II
one Is fool enough to fall in love viii
a girl. one has to keep on loving her
II seems At least that's my case
And now" he laughed shortly. "ther,
is no hope for me at all. Helen hal
met her poet"
Bob stared.
"Ohl Well, poets these days ar
much like their brothers," he com
forted 'Have to be up to date ant
busy. The idylIic dreamer was
product Of the past"
mot this poet" Don contradicted
HE Is all that the heart Of roman
tic maiden could wish. My own siste
IL touched with Helen's enthusiasm
describes this strangers charms b,
the hour, then sits looking pensivel.
into space. 1t would almost" adde,
Bruce. make you sick. His name,
enough to make man sick. too
Leslie Laverne.n
sounds made up" said Bob.
Probably is," Donald agreed.
The evening was not q success. Dol
took his departure early.
erm not good company" he sadl,
Gold his friend. In understanding
sympathy Bob wr,ing his hand.
@Cheer up," he said. ''and do not fal
70 stop over on your next trip"
Donald's next coming was afte
more than months absence. Bol
leaning back under the lamp, In
slniling at nothing In particular
heard his friends voice at the dool
''Come right In. Don" he called, an
Don came In. His face was beaminl
He fell promptly into the profgere
chair and as promptly began his stor,
rXou see" he explained II cam
stay long, for Helen is just aroun
the corner at her aunt's, waiting 70
me to take her to the theater. w
are engaged again. and guess tn
poet did the job for me. Anyway
Helen never wants 20 see q poet agair
Ted up.' as understand Il. Rea
lyrics to her morning. noon and eve
ming. and incidentally took his meal
ct her house. later. to the disgust o
the family. They rather liked tn
fellow at first It appears, but wheI
he monopolized the house and con
tinued 10 overlook such worldly mat
ters as taxi'fares or the price Of oper
tickets. when he and Helen went on
together. way. Il was not only he
faith Ii him which was shaken, bu
the whole structure OF her fancifu
theory. Beauty ls all right 10 It
place, you know. but present need
recognized Anyway. little Helel
sent for me. and / went like do,
And now yon should hear her prat
Of the nobleness Of true manhood
meaning myself" /"
Don" his friend remarked qulel
". @all has worked out as expect
Cd. And now. the least yon can d
a 20 mt mo ut,o3e,h. vrsfh .,n,,. u.