The Kootenai herald. [volume] (Kootenai, Idaho) 1891-1904, 1899-12-16
VISITOR, Jabez."

chair.
'Who is 1t, wife?' he asked.
"a young man." she replied.
The farmers lip set tight as he wit
messed glance which passed between
his wife and his daughter.
81 understand" he said, severely,
with a determined look at the anxious
face of the girl. "That London chap,
Leslie Austin"
eyes, father" she replied.
"Pll settle his business for him." and
Farmer Smith strobe into the parlor.
his heavy boots sounding a death-knell
TO the faint hopes in the sinking heart
OF pretty, winsome Alice Smith. $50
you're here again, ehT'
The brusque interrogatory did not
seem to crush the courteous, handsome
young man, who arose and faced the
farmer.
"Yes, Mr.. Smith," was his reply
~And on the same old errand, / sup
poser"
'Yes. sir; l came to ask your con
sent"
'You can't have itv' interrupted
Farmer Smith, savagely. "Alice amt
going to marry you or anybody else,
just yet"
'But time"
you've heard me, Mr.. Leslie Austin.
You can't have my daughter"
81 love her, Mr.. Smith,"
'.NonsenseI She's too young TO know
her own mind. l have said my say,
and the harvest hands are waiting.
Good-day, STRIP
Under such determined resistance.
Leslie Austin retreated. He bit his
lips angrily, as he walked rapidly down
the road to the village hotel.
Its a shame" decided his friend
Bob Townsend, as he heard the dis
appointed lovers story.
I'VE think so much OF each other"
murmured Leslie. mournfully.
"You amt going to give up this way,
are you" asked Bob.
Leslie looked up inquiringly.
What else can l do?' he asked.
Marry her." said Bob.
Her father won't consent"
Suppose he don't"
Leslie started, but shook his head
slowly.
II know what you're hitting at, Bob
an elopement."
You're right"
''But 1t could not be-"
"Why not?"
Because Alice is bound to obey her
father, and am, too, for that matter"
Bob scowled impatiently.
"Nonsensew he aspirated, angrlly.
''See here, Leslie. If you were the ir-
responsible chap old Smith thinks you.
I'd hesitate; but you ain't-you're an
honest, well-to-do lawyer, respectfully
connected, and onfy laboring under
prejudice on the farmers part, that
because neighbor Jones' girl married a
worthless man from the metropolis all
such matches must end similarly"
Granted"
Therefore, being in the right, and
the old farmer being in one of his mad
moods, I'd outwit him.
"How7"
The query was encouraging.
Run away with Alice" said Bob.
81 can't"
"Why not?'
Her father watches her too closely"
nat = 1hC OAA9 ACdoOhB 10 III
81 believe So"
"She's willing?"
Presumably"
-And your"
20. Bob. you're talking nonsense, I
might as well go back to London and
wait until Mr.. Smith changes his
mind"
And let some other fellow have
Alice. You're a brave lover!'
Leslie was Respondent.
II have a plan, If you're plucky
enough TO follow 1t out" suggested
Bob.
Leslie's face grew expectant at the
hint.
What is it?'' he asked
'Iistenr'
What Bob told the discouraged lover
need not be repeated. The subsequent
acts of the conspirators afford a suf-
ficient explanation.
1t was the next day that faithful Bob
reconnoitered the ground, and found
that Farmer Smith had indeed taken
due precaution to prevent his daughter
meeting or running away with Leslie.
But Bob managed to get letter TO
the fair prisoner-a letter after reading
which secretly she manifested her ac-
Vuiescence to its contents by an intel
fgent nod to the messenger.
1t was the afternoon OF the day fol-