Evening Republican, Volume 14, Number 35, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 10 February 1910 — The Day of the Slave [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

The Day of the Slave

“The idea of expecting anyone to b® serious to-day!” she mocked, mischievously. “Why all Nature is simply hilarious! Riotous birds, frolicking ” “Natur® go hang!” he exploded, “you’re just choking me off. You always find some excuse for not listening.” “Well, thfin. why inslst upon express4ng yourself as to the future? Why not be and happy in the now?” “When a certain important matter is settled, I shall be prepared to enjoy the ‘now,’ ’’ he finished. “Your confidence is amazing.” “Certain doom is easier to bear than suspense,” he asserted. “It’s no use, Stella, the time has come and ” "Hark! Hark! Hear that perfectly wonderful bird song? Why, it’s like a part of our new duet.” She broke into a ringing carol which Apparently silenced the bird, but pres-

ently it rallied and poured down a flood of thrills that threatened her iwlth extinction. "Help me, Ned,’’ she cried. Ned succumbed to her blandishments, „as usual, his glumness fled, he lifted up his voice with hers, and together they produced such a volume of melody that the bird, after another frantic overflow, gave it up and flew away. "Wasn’t it the funplest contest?” she bubbled. “Our voices harmonized beautifully, in the clear air.” "Our voices always harmonize; they were made for each other. Stella “Oh, yonder are stepping stohes!" she cried, running down the hill to the stream. “Can’t we cross here, and not tag the others away down to the bridge? We’d beat them to the picnic grounds, too.” A wicked Inspiration filled Ned with exultation, If he could only stick it out. Objection was sure to add to her determination. “Looks deep in the channels each aide of that big rock, and you can’t jump the gaps, either.” "Well, 'you can help me across," she said confidently. “Oh, yes,” he assented, i"I can help you across easily. But I must put in another stone first.” He felt mean, but reminded himself that she deserved ft. In a few minutes he had swung her aafely across to the large rock in the center of the stream; as he leaped to it himself, the newly placed /stone swayed and turned. "Oh!" she cried, "It might have thrown us both in!" “That’s so," he returned. fie hid a grin, as with the hooked ban die oC her umbrella.. ha. helped it

into the deeper channel, where It ae» tied to the bottom. ' Suddenly realising the disadvantages of her position, Stella shivered, saying: "Let’s hurry, this rock will turn over, too.” “Oh, no, It’s solid,” Ned stamped. “Good thing, too; I need firm footing for the jump; channel’s wider on this side. Here goes!’? ”oh, I thought sure you’d fall in, Ned. Put in several more stones for me, those are so wide apart I don’t believe I can get over. “No, I don’t think you can,” Ned replied. “Well, then, hurry and get the stones.” “Yes, enough to build a bridge,” Ned assented, regarding the bunding material indifferently. “But you needn’t build a bridge; three more will be enough, I’m sure.” “Or two, perhaps,” Ned amended. “Why don’t you put them In, then?” she snapped, out of patience. "Oh, there’s no hurry,” stretched, back on the grass. .“Well, of all the— Maybe you think I like being a prisoner on a ! rock In mid-ocean,” she suggested sarcastically. “Maybe I think I like it.” “Ned Holcomb! What on earth de you mean?” “That’s easy,” Ned sprang up; “every dog has his day, likewise slave. This Is the day of the’slave.” “Oh, you—you wretch,” she spluttered, not even pretending to misunderstand him, “But I’ll show you I’m not so helpless as you imagine.” She made a motion as if to attempt to leap. Ned smiled, repeating: “This Is the day of the slave. I am going to have a hearing—Stella, will ” She clapped her hands over her ears and gazed at the treetops. Ned composed himself at ease on the grass.. Stella boiled with indignation. “I’ll fling myself Into the deepest water and drown If you don’t help me off Instantly!” she threatened, darkly. “Oh, you wouldn’t drown. I’d pull you out and put you on the rock again to dry.” She stamped In vexation, the tilted heel glanced, she staggered and caught herself with an alacrity that belied her threat. Ned remained inert and unconcerned. “I wish I had something to throw at you!” she stormed. “You couldn’t hit me, you know,” he grinned.* She thrust her bare arm to the elbow in the water, but- failed to fish up a stone wherewith to display her accuracy of alm and punish him. “Ready to listen?” Ned laughed. She disdained to answer. “This rock Is as hot as —as Gibraltar. My feet are blistering.” She flounced about and studied the back trail of stones. “I believe I could jump It with my shoes off.” she commented, careful that he should hear. “Maybe,” he returned. “You’d only get a good wetting if you fell in, you know.” “I should think you’d be ashamed of yourself,” she opined, after a sulky silence. “Oh, surely not now,” he protested. “I’m puffed with pride. I’ve Instituted a rebellion —which took a lot of courage—and I’ve laid a siege which I mean to maintain until capitulation. It’s only when I look back at my former abject condition that I blush.” “I presume you expect to dictate the terms of capitulation,” she jeered. —“Certainly,” Ned agreed. , Silence for a space. Then she jerked her hat low, hid her face In her handkerchief and burst Into sobs, quavering: “I never you’d treat me like this.” . Ned set his teeth, again reminding himself that she was au adept at simulation. "Better have my handkerchief,” he offered; “that bit of lace Is inadequate for such a shower.” At length the young man raised to an elbow and listened, a smile growing to a broad grin. “Our little drama is to have spectators,” he mused. Stella listened an Instant, then sprang up, crying vehemently: “Oh, oh! You wouldn’t dare to keep me here till they come!" “I’m In a daring mood; however, It rests with you.” “But just imagine what they’ll think!” “I know what the fellows’ll think. I hear their cheers for the erstwhile spiritless slave. As for the girl% you can, perhaps, picture their thoughts and actions.” “Oh, please, Ned, please take me off. They’ll laugh at me forever! Please, please, Ned!” Ned choked, but replied firmly: “It cuts me to the heart to refuse you, Stella, but I must. I am determined to have my answer if the whole world stands gaping. Stella, will you marry me?” Stella closed her Ups stubbornly. Around the bend came lilts of song and merry whoops from the approaching party, as yet hidden by the woods. She made again as If to attempt the leap, faltered and shrank, then turned to her relentless jailer and nodded violently. ' “I can’t accept signs that may leave loopholes for evasion,” Ned asserted; “I must have a plain, verbal answer— Stella, will you marry me?” “Oh, yes, Ned, yes! Hurry! They’ll be here In a minute!’’ "Marry me soon?” “Yes, yes! Whenever you please! Hurry, Ned!” "AU right, girlie,’? the stones flew into place, and M he swung her over Ned whispered, “Forgive me, dear; || was brutal.*'—Mww OrUaee Tlm®®-Da®A •crat,

"OH YOU —YOU WRETCH.”