The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1921-04-15
Murray, the Waffle
Fierad
BY BARBARA KERR

ttSh AsSls by mcclure NeWspapor Syholcale.l
Isn't it a pity" sighed Ruth Cen
try to her brother Bob as she took
mental note of some new arrivals at
the rooming house next door, that
these dear old houses that have seen
better days must inevitably, like their
stricken old owners, go into the dis
card? / 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 bec0m ng
a rooming house with noisy rooming-
house kids sliding down its walnut
banisters, and clacking, gossipipg
clearinghouse women infesting its
sacred precincts"
Bob laughed. "'Pon my soul, Ruth,
you talk like man-why clackingT
'They are; they have nothing to
do; their prying eyes follow me from
cellar to garnet till 1 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.
"It's yours for an early breakfast if
you catch that five-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 bungalow apron and
nifty cap and went down to prepare
the waffles, 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 it
time to run up and call Bob, but, hear
ing a noise of 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: "Waffies
and maple strip now ready in the din
ing car"
She darted back, snatching open the
waffle iron and filing 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 most peculiar tone
asked: May I inquire who is the
waffle fiend?"
Ruth looked up, trying to fathom
his expression; he gazed at her. "Yes,
slows them away like a tramp" 1.-The
tinkle Of a knife against glass In
the dining room startled her. She
rushed in; a nice, mellow voice asked !:
"Any more Of those wonderful waf-
fes. darling?" and pair of fine brown
eyes smiled at her as she leaned weak
~ against the door, while Bob, bris-
Ting like 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 waffles are burning" moaned
Ruth. dashing to the kitchen.
"Please hurry-oh, what trag-
edyr' exclaimed the unexpected
guest. sand the only real waf1ies I've
tasted since my mother dled!"
OF course, with the mutinous blue
eyes Of Ruth in the kitchen, the men
soon adjusted everything Bob saw
how easy it was for stranger next
door to wander 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
plate Of hot waffles they were SO en-
| 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 not going to acknowledge the
Introduction, but Mr.. McIlvain, with
his most ingratiating smile, held out
his hand II know any one who can
make such waffies as these will not
hold a 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 waffies," 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 1t a most
playful waitress" teased Bob.
swell. I was a bit stunned" admit