The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1885-05-22
A DETERMINED MOTHER.
How She Secured the Happiness
of Her Daughter.

HOW SQ0 S0Cur0Q Iu0 hdppluoS'
Of Her Daughter.
CHAPTER L
81 say you did, SIR"
Madam. you certainly make mis-
take"
81 don't make mistake, any such O
a thing. These are the very words you
said: Mrs. Bcasely, ! have not spoken
to Hester concerning the matter, think.
ing that it would be better to speak tc
you first, but would like very much to
marry her. Those were your words,
Mr.. Lucas. and you needn't try to gel
out of il.
"Why, madam, 1 am much too old
for Hester. have never had though,
of marrying her. You certainly must
have dreamed that addressed you
"Look here, Mr.. Lucas, 1 am a
woman"
s'Of course You have borne that
reputation during many years"
None of your foolishne IS, sir. l say
that am wOm-
"A declaration which have not dis
puted."
She drew herself up, glared at him
and continued, 81 am a woman. but
have the spirit of a man. / am always
prepared to defend my word against
attack, and let me warn you not to
again question my truthfulness. You
said that you wanted to marry Hester"
''Mrs. Beasely, this is an unfort-
unate affair. L am forty years old;
Hester is seventeen. Surely the dis
parity"
Disparity the deuce"
The deuce, Mrs. Beaselyp'
Eyes, the deuce"
"All right, disparity the deuce, then,
Mrs. Beasely."
when told Hester what YOU said,
she joyously replied: won't that be
delightful"
Mother, what are you and Mr..
Lucas lowering about" exclaimed a
Young lady, entering the room. 81
have been trying to write letter, but
Your noise scatters my thoughts, if 1
have any,"
Hester, keep quiet. I'll manage this
affair. l am determined that you shall
not be cheated"
'tHow cheated, mother?"
snow don't put on such an air of as
constituent. Yon know what I mean"
81 declare do not"
snow, daughter, don't be foolish.
When told you that Mr.. Lucas wanted
you for wife"
..Mother!' screamed the young lady.
whats the matter?" demanded the
old lady.
"You never in all your life spoke to
me about MIR. Lucas wanting to marry
me. / don't know what to think of
you"
Hester have not la,n the weight of
my hand on you since you were child,
but if you persist in disputing my word
i shall box your ears. Lucas asked me
for you. When l told you, fact which
you can not dispute. you clapped your
hands and said that such an arrange
ment would be delightful
Miss Hester's face grew scarlet. With
out replying, she sat down near the win
dow. Lucas could see the tears rolling
down her checks.
'tMr. Lucas has disputed my word,
but he can not deny the truth of what
say. Now, shall leave you here to
talk over this business"
'.Miss Hester, this is a strange affair"
said Mr.. Lucas, when the old lady had
gone.
81 never saw the like. don't know
what can all mother"
''She is certainly very strange"
SIS it possible that she is going
crazy?''
81 think not, for she is perfectly sane
on all other matters, and is the most
accurate business woman have ever
seen. As God is my Judge, though, 1
have never spoken to her about marry-
ing You. I have never thought of such
a thing, let me assure you.
Tie denial was q little too positive
The young lady, turning with mock
courtesy. replied:
'Oh. you needn't throw such empha-
sis into your words. Other men, who
are quite as handsome rs you are,
doubtless, have thought about marry
ing me. have never begged any one
to marry me, am sure.
Miss Hester, did not mean"
oh, never mind making excuses.
Just because you have large planta-
ton and fine carriage, you think that
everybody wants to marry you"
Miss Hester"
Don't Miss Hester me. You and
mother ought to be ashamed of YOUR
selves. A poor girl never has chance,
IN this world, anyhow" and the Young
Lady burst into tears.
CHAPTER II.
This beats any affair ever heard
Of" unused Mr.. Lucas, as he walked
toward home. Il don't know how I
am going to get out of it. either, for the
old lady IS as mule-headed as a pig or
Is pig-headed as mule, 1 don't know
which / dos't exactly understand
Hester's actions. thought that L
would be doing her a service by making
vigorous denial. but hang the luck, it
seems that she did not want me to DENY
ftn
Stephen Lucas. one of the most pros
porous planters in Southern Arkansaw
owned a beautiful residence near the
Ouachita River. lie was bachelor.
Those who knew him said that he had
never been in love with any one, and
shat he was too honorable to marry
without lore. Anywhere, preceded BY .