Evening capital journal. (Salem, Or.) 1888-1893, 1890-07-18
A FATHERS RUSE.

rosy glow over the richly appointed
room, but 1t was not that which
caused the fair face to flush as sh,
toycd with two letters she held
letters she had been reading with
maidenly exultation before the
dusk of evening.
The story they told was common
enough, yet ever new to the ever.
changing actors.
Both letters contained proposal
of marriage, and the difficulty
seemed to be ia deciding which one
to answer in the allirmative-ii
either
There was step in the hall, and
a tall, kindly looking man entered
"What! in the dark. pet? | hope
you are not in the dumps this even
ing, Kate
And he crossed the room to her
side and laid hls hand caressingll
upon the head of bis only child. the
| daughter that so resemb.el the fair
young wife whom he bad loved
aui lost.
Kate had never known that
mothers loving care, but a father s
/ protection and tond worship had
been hers always.
Eyes, in the dark, papsy dear. Do
not ring for lights yet, but sit down.
II want to talk toyou," she falter
ed, while her face flushed hot under
cover of the convenient darkness.
"You are not i'll, Kate? Nothing
/ troubles my darling? You act
strangely" he said, in alarm.
"No-yes," she laughed, nervous
ly. "'SIt here, papsy dear, and let
me sit upon this stool at your feet
there, so. We never have any
secrets, do we, papsy?"
"Not any, pet" he answered, in
I wonder.
"Then we will not begin now, will
we, papsy? II received two letters
by the evening mail. They were
from Guy Reynolds and Leon Les
ter. They-they both want me to
- The letters were proposals of
marriage, papsy,' she faltered, with
her hot cheek resting against the
hand which she clasped.
"What does your heart say, my
child?" the banker asked with a
thrill of pain that another love
might supplant his.
That's it papsy. | don't know
which | like the best, Mr. Rey-
nolds is polished gentleman, good
company and wealthy. SO is Mr..
Lester; but--do you know, am
more than half afraid of him? He
is so grave at times, and he makes
one feel the responsibilities of life so
I cannot explain it, papsy, dear,
and | don't know what to do. Here
ARE the letters. Decide for me, as
you always do, please
And she placed the letters in his
hand.
"Do you want to marry? Do you
want to leave me?" he asked, after a
moments pause.
"No, no, papsy! Oh, thousand
times, no?" she cried impulsively.
"My dear child" he said, very
and with evident relief,
"you do not love either of these men,
or, if so, you are unconcious Of that
love. Let time decide the matter.
Answer these letters 10y promising a
final decision in a month, and let
he matter rest for that length of
ime.n
II will-this minute; and you will ,
lecide for me then, won't you
}apsy ~ she cried, gayly, rs she
lighted the gas and seated herself at (
he table.
innocent and heart-whole, the :
ather mused, rs he waited until the {
lotes were written, then rang for
he delayed lunch to DE served at {
nee.
y week passed ana again he found :
Kate dreaming in the twilight, but {
his time it was his turn TO make q
confession.
"Kate, my darling, do you prizo {
hese things very highly-this house. t
hese servants, the carriage and |
lorses, and fine dresses?n he asked, ,
,rVely, aftera moments hesitation. l
"Of course l prize them, papsy;
,ut why did you ask?" she inquired, '
n wonder.
"But If should tell you that they I
we're lost through reverses of fortune !
that it would be necessary to give
hem up and live plainly for awhile
If | should tell you this, my dar-
ing, what would your answer be?n
ne asked anXioIsly.
"Nly answer would be this-and |
his-and this, dearest papsy" she
cried, clasplng his neck and shower