Sullivan republican. [volume] (Laporte, Pa.) 1883-1896, 1895-07-26

very DoBluulHS, tHIoo WeohS bSo'
''Now, as to your father" resumed
the young man, 81 think I understand
him pretty we'll. because ny one and
only parent, the governor himself, is
constructed on much the same plan.
Wherever he goes he is continually in
search of the lost tribes of the Strong
genealogy. The last letter I had from
him in Colorado, where he is spending
the winter, contained the announce
ment that he had unearthed four or
five new cousins specimens, !
doubt not, that he will expect me to
meet and embrace on my way home.
perhaps it was wrong" he contin-
ued, after moment of reflection, ''to
play upon that little popularity of
your fathers, to get into his good
graces, but you must consider the ex-
traordinary provocation, dear.
seemed like my only chance-are ,u
sorry took it?"
She looked her answer b I'D not
speak it, and then, avoidiL /tne hand
extended to seize her own, she struck
her horse light blow and dashed
down the road ahead.
A long, even canter in silence fol-
lowed, and they were we'll into town
before the conversation began again.
Then, fearful of observation, they
spoke in commonplaces.
They turned into State street, and
stopped at the postoffice, the morn
ing's mail having constituted the chief
cause for the trip to town. Richard
Strong dismounted and presently ap-
peared with letter in his hand.
''None for you," he said. ''Ihis is
for me, from the governor. I'll wager
it has something in it about cousins. !"
s'Let me see," said the girl, hold
ing out her hand. He tore the letter
open and gave it to her. Then he
swung himself into his saddle, and
they started slowly down the street.
Suddenly the girl gave a faint cry.
"Papa has been writing to him /"
she exclaimed.
"Writing to him? What for?"
"He has asked him to pay us visit
on the score of relationship, and your
father"
"Well?" said the young man, ex-
citedly.
"He says he will start Immediately
the very next day.
''Let me see the date of the letter.
Ye gods! 1t has been delayed! He
must have got here this morning!"
"The train has been in two hours" !"
she said, glancing at her watch.
II must see him Immediately" said
her companion, nervoussy turning his
horse first one way and then another.
s'Who would have dreamed that both
the old boys would take that cousin
ship SO seriously?"
'I did, sir. I knew from the very
beginning that it would make trouble
some time"
''From the very beginning?" re-
peated the young man, pausing i'll his
excitement long enough to note the
force of this chance admission. $50
You acknowledge, do you"
"Theres 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 bri g up tall gentle
man this morning 'th white mus.
tache and goatee anu gold eyeglasses?"
eyes, sir. Your father, don't you
mean?"
The young people exchanged star
tied glances.
elbow did you know?"
"He was inquiring for you, sir, as
soon as ever he got to the hotel; and
when he found you were gone, he
W ent and hired buggy"
ga buggy-what for?"
"He asked the way to Judge Wes-
toms place in the Montecito. He said
the Judge was rear relative of his. !"
ga near relative!" groaned the hor-
rified Strong while his companion
turned away her face, although
whether to conceal look of anguish
or laugh will never be known.
The omnibus proceeded on its way.
"We must hurry" said the young
man, spurring his horse to a canter.
'sThe less time they have together be-
fore explanations are made the bet
ter"
sWhat do you think they will doT'
asked the girl.
''I don't dare to think. You SEQ 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 never recov-
cred from the habit of using swear
words acquired during years of SER
vice in the regular army"
t'Heavens! Let us ride faster. Papa
will have slain him before we get
there"
ssReally, Catherine, said the young
man, when they had slackened their
pace to climb the hills, ''it would not
surprise me if they positively refused
to enter into partnership as fathers
in-law."
s'Never mind, Richard" said the
girl, smilingly. Father has never
yet refused me anything, when my
happiness was at stake-as it is now. "
Strong shrugged his shoulders.
"Mine has," he answered. "He is
made of flint, the old General; and if
he should take it into his head to say
no, II would be awkward in ways I
don't like to mention.
"Never mind" said the girl, smil.
| ing again and lifting her veil to the