, 1921-04-14
Murray, the Waffle
Fiend
By KERR

Ny ~ htI DIOlutI DOD as she LUX
mental note of some new arrivals at
the rooming house mex door, that
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 1t contemplates
the fact that you and l are the only
living things that keep up its respec-
liability and prevent it also becoming
a rooming house with noisy rooming-
house kids sliding down its walnut
banisters, and clacking. gossiping
boarding-house women infesting its
sacred precincts"
Bob laughed. "'Pon my soul, Ruth,
you a like a man-why clackingT'
They are; they have nothing to
do he'll 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
k three times that day If hers was
a rooming house, she kept house so
strenuously for Bob.
IT'S yours for an early breakfast If
o catch that fve-thirty train, Bud
dy. Better make that page our last
one" and she rumpled his hair low
ingly as she passed his chair.
She arose noiselessly next morning,
hurried into u bungalow apron and
nifty cap and went down to prepare
the waffies, 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 a noise of a 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: "Wafies
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 1t 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 l inquire who is the
waffle fend7"
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 a nice, mellow voice asked /:
nv 10 30 sk- -
hes, darling?' and a pair of fine brown
eyes smiled at her as she leaned weak
ly against h 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 u 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 waffies are burning" loaned
Ruth. dashing to the kitchen. 4.
Please hurry-oh, what a trag-
edyP' exclaimed the unexpected
guest. And the only real waffies I've
tasted since my mother diedl"
OF course, with the mutinous blue
eyes Of Ruth In the kitchen, the men
soon adjusted everything. Bob saw
now easy 1t was for a stranger next
doc to lander onto the wrong porch
at such an hour, as he was to motor
to a nearby village at daybreak. So
when Ruth returned with another
Mate nf b0f ua fiag fhAr
crossed with each other that Bob al
most forgot to introduce her till an ex-
asperated 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 ac-
quaintances."
Ruth, her face a study. looked as If
she were no going to acknowledge the
Introduction, but Mr.. McIlvain. with
his most ing~ratiatlng smile, held out
his hand. II know any one who can
make such waffies as these will not
hold a grudge against a poor innocent
whom fate led into an ambush. Be
sides l am the injured party-think of
my lacerated ear"
Ruth blushed. "Tne wafles,'' she
murmured. 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 It a most
playful waitress" leased Bob.
swell, l was a bit stunned" admit
ted Murray. but after seeing and
tasting those wafiies l was just going
TO ask her to bite the other ear. when
you appeared" y
How about your train, Buddy7"
warned motherly Ruth.
Bob sprang up. you'll excuse me.
Murray; Wen continue this evening.
Maybe there's more batter. sls''-
Reluctantly Ruth admitted a little
more. Enough for you and just one