South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1921-01-23

nave so Tar had 10 carry on my ire
without the"-guIp - sweet radi-
ance''-gulp-"o a woman around
the house. I feel especially doggon-
ed lonely az a time Ike this. whom
am pretty near locoed from havtn'
10 stall indoors and hence X was
with delight I welcomed your first
appearance in this here shack. Since
then have been packed jam full Of
more different kinds or feelings, orn-
cry. mean, dizzy, and superb, than
has fallen my way n years" Miss
Adams made a useless movement
toward escape. The Ross chin
stuck firm. I don't want 10 annoy
you. Miss Adams. but, my heck. II
10 comes 20 that you'll have 20 be
annoyed. And I'll have 10 have
my say. This palm ticklin' slob OF
"a FrenCEman ought 20 be kicked on
the place and II you'll say the word,
or he goes. But I don't want 70 do
the wrong thing. You've got 10
show a preference. I'm gettn'
around 10 the point. Miss-Miss VIII
lie in my own brisk fashion. I've
stood about all I can stand these
last two days and somethin's got 10
happen The suspense hereabOuts Is
enough 20 hang a sheepherder. Miss
Willle"-he lassooed her hand by
main fOrce-"just say the word
You need somebody TO take your
part all your life long. WIZ you
mar"
Supper" remarked George, terse-
y. from the kitchen door.
Miss Adams hurried away.
Ross turned angrily. You"
II have been revolving IL in my
head" said George.
He brought the cOffeepot forward
heavily. Then Eravely the big plat
ter or pork and beans. Then sOmber-
~ the potatoes. Then profoundly
the biscuits. II been revolving IL in
my mind. There amt no use wait
in any longer for Swengalley. Might
as we'll eat now"
From my excellent vantage-point
on the couch ! watched the progress
of the meal. Ross. muddled, glow
ering. disappointed Etienne. etern-
ally blandishing, attentive, o6gling;
Miss Adams nervous. picking at her
food, hesitant about answering ques-
tons, almost hysterical. now and
then the solid. fitting shadow OF the
cook, passing behind their backs
like dreadnaught in a fog.
used TO own a clock which
gurgled in its throat three minutes
before Il struck the hour. I know,
therefore, the slow freight Of antici-
patton. For l have awakened at 3
in the morning. heard the clock
gurgle and waited those three min
utes for the three strokes I knew
were 70 come. AlOrs. II Ross
ranch house that night the slow
~ - lei ID IL q
distance.
Etienne began II after supper.
Miss Adams had suddenly displayed
"a lively interest IN the kitchen lay
out and / could see her in there.
chatting brightly at GeOrge-nOt
with him-the while ne duclced his
head and ratified his pans.
My fren'," said Etienne. eXhal-
ing a large cloud from his ciEaret
and patting Ross lightly on the
shoulder with a bcdiamOnded hand
which hung limp from a yard or
more OF bOny arm. Il see 1 mus be
frank with you. Fir. because we
are rivals: second. because you take
these matters so serious. II am a
Frenchman. love the women
ne threw back his curls, barred his
yellow teeth. and blew an unsavory
kiss toward the kitchen. 1T is I
suppose. a trait or my nation. All
FrcnChmen love the women-pretty
women. Now. look: Here I ann"
lie spread out his arms. cold in
side, | detes' the COl-l-li Snow I
a b o IN + n a the mees-ser- RIA; bl
snow! TWO men, This"-pointing
to me-"an thisu Point to Ross. Il
am distracted For two whole days 1
stan at the window an tear my
air I am nervous. upset. pr-r-
rofOunly distress inside my cad!
An suddenly-be'old, A woman,
nice. pretty, charming. innOcen'
young woman! I, naturally, rejoice.
II become myself again-gay light
'earted. Apply. I address mys,lf 20
mademoiselle; il passes the time.
That, m'sieu'. ia vot the women are
for-pass the time, Entertainment
like the music, like the wine,
They appeal 20 the mood. the ca
price, the temperament. To play
with thecs woman, follow her
humor. pursue her-ahi that is the
mos delightful way 20 sen the hours
about their business"
Ross banged the table shut up,
you miserable ycller pup he roar
ed. L object 10 your pursuin' any
thing or anybody in my house. Now,
YOU listen 10 me. you" He picked
up the box Of stocies "a an empha-
siZer. The noise OF IL awoke the at
tcntion OF the girl in the kitchen.
Tnheeded. she crept into the room.
I don't know anything about your
French ways OF lOvemakin', an
don't care. In my section of the
country. it's the best man wins And
I'm the best man here, and don't
you forget st. This girls goin' 20 be
mine There amt going 20 be any
playing. or philandering. or palm
reading about II. I've made up my
mind I'll have this girl. and that set
ties IT, Ny word is the law in this
neck O. the woods. She's mine and
az soon as she says she's mine, you
pull out" The box made one final,
trern endous punctuation point
Etienne's bravadO was unruffled
All that IS no way 20 win a wo-
man" he smiled. easily. i make
prophecy you Will never win 'er that
way. No. Not thees woman. She
ed, this charming delicious little
creature one keess' An then you
ave her" Again he displayed his
unpleasant teeth L make you a bet
1 Will KEGS her
As a cheerful chronicler Of deeds
done well. IL joys me 20 relate that
the hand which fell upon Etienne' s
amorous lips was not his own. There
was one sudden sound, as OF a mule
kicking a lath fence. and then