The citizen. (Frederick City, Md.) 1895-1923, 1895-12-27

so seriously?"
Il did, sir. knew from the very
beginning that it would make trouble
some time"
From the very beginn'ng?- repeat
ed the young man. pausing in his ex-
element long enough to note the force
Of this chance admission 80 ycl
acknowledge, do you
There's the hotel bus" cried the
girl, hastily changing the subject
Perhaps the driver can tell US some
thing"
A long. empty vehicle was passing
them on its way up the street Strong
called TO the driver and he stopped.
Did you bring up tall gentleman
this morning, with a white mustsche
and goatee and gold eyeglssses?"
Yes. sir. Your father, don't you
mean?"
The young people exchanged startled
glances-
How did You know
He was inquiring for you, sir, as
soon as ever he got to the hotel; and
when he found you had gone, he went
and hired buggy"
"A buggy-what fore"
He asked the way to Judge Wes-
tons place m the Montecito He said
the judge was near relative Of his"
The omnibus proceeded on It's way.
We must hurry" said the young
man, squirting his horse 10 a canter.
the less time they have together be-
fore explanations are made the bet
ter"
What do you think they will do?"
asked the girl
Il don't dare to think. You see, on
everything except this family tree
business our respective parents are as
far apart as civilized humans can be.
Your father, now, Is an elder In the
church. while mine has lost all the re-
ligion he ever had; and he has never
recovered from the habit Of using
swear words acquired during years of
service in the regular army"
Heavens. Let US ride faster. Papa
will have slain him before we get
there"
Really, Catherine" said the young
man, when they had slackened their
pace to climb tho hills, 1T would not
surprise me If they positively refused
ts enter into partnership as fathers-in-
iaw.H
Never mind, Richard" said the
girl, smilingiy Father has never
yet refused me anything, when my
happiness was at stake-as 1t is now"
Strong shrugged his shoulders.
Mine has" he answered. "He is made
Of flint, the old general; and II he
should take 1t into his head to say no.
It would be awkward in ways l don't
like to mention"
-Never mind" said the girl, smiling
again and lifting her veil to the rim of
the jaunty sailor hat
And a moment later the young man
felt much encouraged, and the gallop
was resumed.
On slight knoll surrounded by q
grove of live-oaks and faced with en-
avenue of old palms. there stood the
ample residence Of Judge Weston. AS
the young people came through the
gate and entered upon the graveled
roadway. they observed two elderly
gentlemen emerge from q small forest
Of rose bushes and start briskly down
the path toward them Presently the
shorter of the two took his companions
arm and they walked along In evident
peace and amity.
They haven't found 1t out 70" the
young man whispered
Judge Weston assisted his daughter
to elight. Catherine, said he, this
Is Gen Strong, the father of our young
friend
The general bent low, In an old
fashioned obeisance, and Miss Cathe-
rine instiuctively made him courtesy
out Of the minuet
Father"
Dick, nv dear boy!"
See here" exclaimed the Judge,
suddenly. You we're mistaken, Rich
ard. in what you told rue about old Eb-
enezer Strong"
The young man braced himself for
struggle.
And TO think. Dick" cried the gen.
eral, reproachtully, that you never
once mentioned to the Judge that your
great great grandfather, Hezekiah
Strong. married Weston"
And that brings US even nearer than
we had supposed" added the Judge.
Fourth cousins instead of fifth"
1T was stupid of me to forget that"
said the young man, hushily.
And now that ! have seen Miss
Catherine" said the general, taking
her hand and passing his arm about
her waist, my only regret Is that the
relationship is not several degrees
nearer yet"
Then Catherine looked at Richard,
and he told what had happened on the
way to town. straightway there was
great amount of handshaking and a
good deal of kissing done in broad day
light under the palmS-The Land Of
Sunshiua