The Monmouth inquirer. [volume] (Freehold, N.J.) 1865-1933, 1924-10-09


marriage proposition to Sheila Dono-
van when he put it up to her in the
nook to which he had led her after
their dance. She wasn't long out of
school, and he was 40 years old.
perhaps you're little too old for
me to marry" she hesitatingly said.
I'm so horribly young, you tee."
"All right little girl I'll try not
to mind"
II was g fool" he said to himself,
as he put on his coat and walked
out into the night. IAN old fool, and
that's worse" with shrug.
And Sheila, who had left school
such a little while before suddenly
realized that she was no longer a girl.
To the golf links at Poolmouth,
Bob Watson had got early the next
morning, carrying his own bag of
clube. He wanted to get out in the
open air and hit something and re-
Ieve his feelings by expanding his
energy. He felt exceedingly. youthful,
and Sheila's remarks of the night be-
fore ranked. for his pride was hurt
quite as much as his heart
TOO old at forty" he said, as he
swung viciously at the ball and sent
it soaring away in the air. "She
ought to have seen that-and, by
Jovel she has"
For at that moment Sheila appear
ed over the. rise in front and ap-
piauded his stroke by waving her
hand
Good morning" she said. as he
came up to her Were the only
people playing. today It's too cold
for any but the hardest souls"
Bob suddenly became aware of the
presence of an unoouth, brawny-
looking man with fve-days-old
beard on his face. He had suddenly
appeared from nowhere In particular
and seemed, to judge from his man
ner. to be in an unpleasant frame of
mind
Morning, guy'nor," he said inso-
lently, planting himself in front of
Bob Il wonder if you remember me?"
q can't say do" replied Bob
ITS these ERE clothes what alter
me-" said the man. Last time you
see me was in uniform Stoker
Datesons my name" he continued,
his voice rising as he worked himself
| into passion, and you broke me-
you, Captain Blooming Watson, you
brought me to this"
Stoker Bateson, yes, 1 remember
you now" said Bob calmly. You
were a dissolute, useless sailor, and
the worst man aboard the ship. The
punishment gave you wasn't half
that you deserved"
Eyes, you could talk mealy-mouthed
and haw, haw, then" shouted the
stoker, but you can't now. Cos whyg
Cos there amt no ships police to
protect you. Cos I'm vivilian now.
and as good as any blooming ships
captain-see?"
Yes, that'll do" said Bob sternly.
"And now you clear off, you black
guard, or I'll give you in charge"
Bateson took a step forward and
thrust his face against his late cap
tain's
Give me in charge" he sneered.
you cant do it, COS there amt no
one to take charge of me. I'm going
to break you up"
There was absolutely no escape
ne either had to fight or be licked.
ing.
So at it they went, after the cap
tain had told Sheila to go over the
rise and wait for him The two were
fairly evenly matched physically, but
Of course Watson had the benefit of
a higher mentality, and while during
the encounter he was nearly down
and out more than once, and had got
pretty badly battered he finally got
in blow that put Bateson to the
bad for good
Bateson lay on the ground for q
minute grooming, and then, stagger-
ing weakly to his feet he put on his
coat.
Il apologize, sir" ne said humbly.
81 thought you were easy meat to me
at your age but I reckon I ought to
have waited another 20 years"
TOO old at 49," he muttered to
himself, as Sheila came shyly toward
him. 81 believe it--anyway, 40's too
old for this sort of game"
oh it isn't" exclaimed Sheila.
"You beat him easily, and he was
quite young man. shall never be-
lieve that nonsense about a man to-
ing too old at 40 again"
"And what about husband at 40?"
Sheila bfushed.
"That also is matter on which
| I've changed my mind" she said.
I'm going to take charge of you and
carry you off to the club house, where
can wash your cuts with warm
water"
And a foursome behind remarked
| IN tho fOllv of hrinpinp cIiIhe IN tbo