Omaha daily bee., 1896-11-22

matter to mel hope. If they go. they will
go in a body q Few remaining would only
complicate- things. Now that you understand
all. about the situation, are you satisfied ?
1t Isn't every woman | would discuss it
with. you know, so you ought to be fiat
tered"
Sartwell was his own man once more, and
he was mentally resolving not to be thrown
of the center again.
"Yos, father, and thank you" said the
girl. THE cab is waiting" she added more
to let him, Know that so far as she was
concerned the discussion was ended, than
to impart the information conveyed in her
words.
Let 1t wait. That's what cabs are for
The cabby usually likes 1t better than hurry
ing SIT down moment, Edna; I'll be ready
presently"
The girl sat down beside her fathers table.
Usually Mr.. Sartwell preferred his desk to
his table, for the desk was tall. where a man
stands when he writes The desk had three
compartments with n lid to each. These
were always locked and Sartwell's clerks had
keys to two OF them. The third was supposed
10 contain the managers most private
papers, as no one but himself ever saw the
inside of it. The lid locked automatically
when 1t was shut and the small key that
opened 1t dangled at Sartwelrs watch chain
Edna watched her father as he unlocked
one after another of the compartments and
apparently Iearranged his papers There was
always about his actions a certain well de-
fined purpose, but the girl could not helm
noticing that now he appeared irresolute and
wavering. He seemed to be marking time
rather than making progress with any
definite work. She wondered if the coming
strike was worrying him more than he had
been willing to admit.
She wished to help, but knew that nothing
would be more acceptable to him than simply
leaving him alone She also knew that when
her father said he would be ready to 20 home
with her at a certain hour, he usually was
ready when that hour came Why, then, did
he delay his departure?
At last Sartwell closed down the lid of one
desk and locked it as If he were shutting in
his wavering purpose; then he placed the
key from his watchguard in the third lock
and threw back the cover. An electric light
dangling by a cord from the ceiling threw
down into the desk rays reflected by cir
eular opal shade that covered the lamp. The
manager gazed for a few moments into the
desk, then. turning to his daughter. said:
tonight"
Il am very sorry, father. Didn't you ex-
Yes, but not at that moment, as it hap
pened You are growing very like your
mother, my girl"
There was pause. Edna not knowing
what to say. Her father seldom spoke Of his
dead wife and Edna could not remember her
mother
Somehow did not realize until tonight
that you werei growing up. You have al
ways been my, baby to me. Then-suddenly
you came int Edna, she was only four
years older thdn/you when she died You
see, my dead although / grew older. she
always remains young-but / sometimes
think that the young man who was her
husband is dead too, for there is not much
likeness to him in me-"
sartwel hadsbeen drumming lightly with
his fingers oHSshe desk top as he spoke.
Now he reacliea iub and turned off the cleo
trio light, as IL the brilliancy troubled him.
The lamp in The sFenter OF the room was
sufficient. and'ft sfeft him in the shadow.
II suppose fere comes a time in the
life OF every fAher when he learns, with
something OF a shock, that the little girl
who has been playing about his knee is a
young woman 1t is like when a man hears
himself alluded to as old for the first time. |
well remember how 1t made me catch my
breath when first heard myself spoken OF
as an old man"
"But you are not old" cried the girl, |
with little indignant half sob in her voice.
She wished to go to her father and put her
arms around his neck, but she felt intui- |
lively that he desired her to stay where she |
was until he finished what he had to say
II am getting on in that direction None |
of US grow younger but the dead. ] sup |
pose a daughter is as blind to her fathers |
growing old as he Is to her advancing |
womanhood. But we won't talk OF my age |
We are welcoming the coming rather than |
speeding the going tonight. You and /, |
Edna, must realize that we, In a measure, |
begin life on a new line each other |
We are both grown-up people. When your
mother was a little older than you are |
had her portrait painted. She laughed at |
me and called me extrayagant You see. |
we were really very poor. and she thought |
poor girl. that a portrait OF herself was not |
exactly necessity. ] have thought since