The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1899-08-20
She was glad she had come. dear


with her attendant cavalier and seated herself the
other side Of Jack
I'VE want to be entertained she cried "It's too
hot to do anything. Can't you tell as an interesting
story Mrs Towsley? Something about your dis
tnguished ancestors. Didn't they flourish about the
time of the Revolution? That would be so appro-
pirate for. today. you know"
I'm afraid my ancestors plain men," said
Jack. with nothing but their honesty to recommend
Them and far too humble to have their deeds record
ed in the pages of either history romance"
"That sounds very nice and modest but in these
days of D. A. RS aud S. A. RS and Colonial Danes
and goodness knows what some Of us must have
come from Somebody. 1 know of my ancestors
was carried off by the Indians and married an III
dian chiefAno-of course it couldn't have been
an ancestor, but anyway it the sister of OF
my great aunts. I think it quite unpatriotic and
disgracefu that we haven't single society in town
made up of anybodys descendants"
eve might organize a branch of the Daughters
of the American Revolution" suggested Laura until
somebody asks to become Colonial Danes
eyes. Why not do it today?" said Susie French.
Lets all agree to join If eligible. l know
I'm all right, for 1 had some kind of ancestor VINO
was an officer in the Revolutionary I'll look
him up. l suppose you can find colonial governor
or something among the Van Nesses, Laura, so YOU
and Miss Stinson take high degrees and OF
family all Southerners do, you know" and Susie
French ratified reckIessly suggesting possibilities
in the way of ancestors till all of the party, to
little Jimmy Walker. declared privileged to
badge button
II really believe in blood you know" Yentured one
of the young men, when Susie stopped for breath.
noblesse obige,' and all that sort of thing all
are born free and equal, but man wouldn't exactly
want to marry the daughter granddaughter
Of V0b of
know" ga
Elmira with flushed face, had for several
ments been trying to speak. Miss French spoke
about the Van Nesses just now" she said ''They
weren't Lauras and my own ancestors Our grand
father was only adopted. His name Dobson.
He real poor boy-the son Of a miller" "Why
Elmira, you sure? II never heard Of that"
stammered Laura. "Oh yes-there amt any mis-
take. Ma told me all about it, and how Mr.. Van
Ness hadn't any son of his own SO he had grandpa
take his Ma says I'm dreadful like grandpa"
There was an awkward silence for a moment
broken only by shreks of merrment from Sally Stem
pie and her admirers. The game of mumblety peg
was ended and Sally condemned to root the peg.
Jack did not look at Laura. Susie French did
with smile not entirely free from satisfaction.
"Well perhaps the Dobsons, did you say tie name
was DObsOn?' turning to Elmira perhaps the Dob
sons fought for their independence, won't
'When 1 look up the record of the Towsleys,
will investigate the DobsOns as WELL if you will
allow Miss Van Ness We a snag
very early in genealogical researches, for my
grandfather was a blacksmith and as he had char
acter any might be proud Of see no reason for
being ashamed of his occupation"
He spoke quietly. but there almost defiant
ring in his voice he turned to Susie French pre-
pared, they all felt not only to fight his own battles
but Laura's!"
Allie Johnson, a nice little girl and Lauras de-
voted FRIEND threw herself nobly into the breach.
Il think of my great grandfather's kept shop
mean a little bit of a shop in New York once. OF
course, Americans have all kinds Of ancestors
That's what makes nice" Laura and she ex-
changed affectionate glances and Elmira, who sat
next her, squeezed her hand
Susie French drew long breath. 'sThis is de-
veoping into a genuine experience meeting" she ex-
claimed. "Does anyone else feel moved to rise and
confess the shortcomings of his ancestors?
you and Laura to be in the same boat Mr..
Towsey and" jumping up. speaking of boats is 1t
too hot for row? We've sat here till I'm tired to
death. For goodness sake, let's do something"
She had made a mistake. and she knew 1t. Jack
Towsley would not like Laura any the less because
he had come forward as her champion.
Yet he seemed to avoid Laura after this. He
Joined Sally Stemple, and easily beguiled into
walking with her through the woods to a point
mantIcally called Lovers Seat" A rough stone
seat the summit Of a knoll, gave beautiful view
of the lake below and of the gently undulating
try beyond, =.
You would have called it to soothe the
nerves, and make one forget ones cares. Yet Jack
felt nervous restless and irritable to the last
degree. He felt that he had shown his hand and
made fool of himself quite unnecessarily.
'From several things she has said, believe all
this time she has been thinking me of fine family
and she cares so much for that" he thought to HIM
self as Sally Stempe babbled about her interest
ing experience with young who had such re
mantle" eyes.
"a fellow has certain advantage when girl
thinks he Indifferent" thought Jack but to betray
how much 1 cared for Laura and the fact that
was the grandson of a blacksmith at the time
was the act of a consummate Yet couldn't sit
still and see her suffer- poor little thing, how help
less and distressed she looked Strange that ever
thought Susie French nice girl She's mean and
sptefuI beyond mans comprehension"
Il beg your pardon, what were you sayng?" as
Sally came to a pause evidently expecting him TO
reply
Never mind what sayin'. don't believe