The Opelousas courier., 1897-09-18

before him and turn.
toward the door. His quick ear has
detected the swish of skirts in thu
passageway. There is but one visitor
who is permitted to thus invade his
private room unannounced. The doc,
swings in and a young woman enters.
"Ah, Helen" says the gray haired
man. "This is an early visit"
The young woman runs her hand
caressingly across his scattered locks
and STOPPING, kisses him lightly on the
forehead.
Just as glad to see me, aren't YOU.
papa?" she cries.
She is a very beautiful young woman
and most bewitchingly gowned and
booted and hated, but there is an ex-
preston of discomfort on her well bred
face that is not pleasant to see.
And what's the price of this queen
~ favor?" inquiries the gray haired man
as be leans back in his chair and looks
%quizzically at his visitor.
She grows grave IN a moment and
regards him with a troubled gaze.
"There, there" he says. "Don't
worry yourself over it. Speak up.
What shall it be? A bracelet. a
coupe, a necklace?"
"Papa," she says, s.you think I'm a
dreadfully selfish little beast, don't
you? I am, I know I am. I've lust
been a nuisance and a bother to you
ever since-ever since died.
Don'tcontradictm Everybody knows
1t. I'm Just a selfish, money spending,
proud, little-little pig"
The gray haired man takes the
daintily gloved hand that rests upon
his desk.
"Why, Helen" he says, "what's
this? What's gone wrong? Have I
ever denied you anything?"
NO, no, papa" she half sobs.
You've been much too good to me-.
You've spoiled me-"
"Dear me, child" he slowly MUIR
murs, chow much you are like your
dear mother" He turns his head a
little away and puts his hand over his
eyes.
There, there, papa" cries the
young woman, and her soft cheek rests
against the gray hair. IT didn't mean
distress you. There, there! I am
going to make you pay for this visit
such a price! But not now. No, |
not just now. Cousin Mary is waiting
for me in the carriage, and-and, after
awhile I will come back and tell you
.hatit is. You are good natured now. |
aren't you, dear? Say that you are good
natured."
He smiles and mods like anodding
mandarin, and she kisses him again
md darts to the door.
s'There!" she breathlessly cries as
'he pauses on the threshold. Gust
1old that expression, sir, if you please.
I'll be back in such a little while, dear
And the door closes and she
vhisks through.
The gray haired man signs.
"She grows more like her dead
mother every day." he. says. "But,
leayens, how thoroughly she is
poiled-twenty-three years old, q
lnlshed coquette, q creature of the
widest and most extravagant whims.
Ind yet she has a heart and q warm
lace in it, too, for her doting old
ather. I wonder what came over her
his morning. I never saw her quite
0 hysterical. If she would marry
ut no, she appears to despise every
IAN she meets. She firts with them
nd throws them aside like cast-off
loves. What a load it would be off |
~ mind if she would find some hon {
st, ambitious young fellow who .
uited her hayward fancy. But, no.
he turns from them all, and hanged t
I blame her. They are a precious /,
DOR lot"
He pauses as the door swings open
nd q boy enters with q card. /
I'm five minutes send the gentleman
!" the gray haired father says, and '
V boy withdraws.
Herbert Torrance" reads the gray /
aired man. "a fine young fellow,
raightforward, honest, true. r half o
ish hewas in society. No, I don't;
would spoil him. Wonder what he
ants with me" q
He bushes himself with his papers
: q moment or two, and then the
'or swings open and q well knit t;
'ung fellow with keen gray eyes en-
rs.
"Ah, Torrance, says the gray haired
shave q chair. What can I do
: your" e