The Lamar register., 1892-10-15
almost atoned for the happiness ofhi.

once or Twice. 'Iney cannot now say
that want to marry him." she said
triumphantly, and felt flushed with
victory. Yet there was something like
a coldness ofdisappointmentuponher.
OF course this put an end to Mrs.
Enderby's going to DR.. Brooke's house
at Dolly's and Janet's most urgent
request.
But they were now almost well
| again. and on fine days Jack would
bring the two girls-Janer still limping
a little, and Dolly rather pale and
wan-over to Mrs. Enderby's; DIR.
| Brooke did not put any bar upon
the continual presence OF the children
in Mrs. Enderby's house. He wisely
left that thing alone.
But DIR Brooke was suffering from
bitter disappointment. His CHEEKY
| handsome face took on a stern and
troubled look When he came home,
| Dolly's and Janet's songs had no pow
| er to charm him. He would sit and
look at the fire in way that would
make the hearts OF his children ache.
One night as he sat thus grave and
preoccupied, Dolly crept up to him.
| she laid her cheek in the old wayagainst
his bearded face. Darling papa" she
said, what is it trouble you?"
DR.. Brooke held her close. Her in
nocent sympathy did him good.
Something, my dearest, you can
not help, he said. Dolly, who was q
queer girl, with strange imaginative
fancies, slipped upon his knee.
papa, sometimes | have thought
you won't be angry, papa?" The
never been angry with her in all his
life.
Because" whispered Dolly, in
different whisper, "sometimes I've
thought-if Archie's mother were our
stepmother-"
There is no chance of that, my
little GIRL" he said. Would to God
=" He stopped.
But Dolly knew it all. That night
in the moonlight she sat up in bed and
told Janet, and by the end OF the week
Jack knew it. "And that's why papa
is so serious" said Dolly in her soft
voice.
"All broke up because the widow
won't smile on him" mused Jack, to
whom the tender passion was an in
scrutable mystery.
These young creatures talked their
fathers romance over with the keen
relish of sixteen-year-o olds for these
things. Only Janet was indignant.
what can she expect if papa is not
good enough for her?" cried she vehe-
mently; $50 handsome, SO kind"
"P'r'aps," said Jack. 'she's afraid
of us. She thinks we'll bedevi her
and the kid to death"
This solution amazed the girls with
its simplicity aud persplcaeity. Only
that could account for any woman's
not jumping ut the chance of marry
ing their father.
"I'll tell you what it is, girls" said
Jack, 81 think it would be a jolly good
thing If we could let Mrs. Enderby
know that we haven't any objection,
and we wouldn't be hard on the kid.
1t cuts me to see the governor going
around looking like a cracked pitcher.
We needn't call any names, Just inti-
mate it in general sort OF way"
Jack" remarked Janet solemnly,
you've got great deal more sense
thnn you ever got credit for"
1t was some days after that when
Mrs. Enderby experienced an ir-
ruption OF the Brook family into her
drawing-room.
Dolly, as chief diplomatist, soon led
of on the important subject.
at is such comfort, Mrs. Enderby,
to come over and see you. 1t would
be so nice if We only had somebody
like you at home"
II was now Janet's turn.
"We wouldn't object to q step
mother il she was nice-nice enough
for rpapa-becauseh he is a very superior
man indeed Mrs. Enderby." Jack,
who had not been trusted with any
share in the conduct OF the negotia-
tions, here broke in.
"And if she had kid-say about
six or seven-we wouldn't bedevil
him"
4 wave OF color swept over Dolly's
face.
40 Jacki" she replied reproachfully.
Mrs. .Enderby was laughing and
blushing. 1t was so deliciously trans
parent and absurd that she could not
but lau. h.
"It's very commendable OF you,"
she said, ''but it won't do for you to
talk about. | don't think your ia
ther would like it-so We'll drop the
subject.
Her visitors soon departed, much
depress with the failure OF their mis-
sion-but in half an hour Dolly stole
| back. Mrs. Enierby was sitting Just
l. WnGre Silt iltttl ltAL IltI vi.
room sofa. Dolly sat down by her.
al don't think you ought to laugh at
dear papa" she said tinidly.
II never laughed at your papa in
my life," answered Mrs. Enderby soft
| ly.
you couldn't if you knew how sad
he is. He works so.harl, and he never
refuses to 90 to see poor people, no
matter how tired he is. Last night
when he came home all worn out,
somebody came for him and said old
Betty Jones, who has cancer and is
dying, was crying for him, and he got
| right up and went out, although he
said he couldn't do her any good, and
stayed with her three or four hours.
When he came home, he Just sat down
before he fire and looked so hopeless
and troubled.
Mrs. Enderhy made no reply, but
presently Dolly saw two tears drop
from her eyes; the child IS simple story
touched her.
Dolly rose; she had quick pereep;