The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1899-09-08

card he hCId IN ms lOnR' sleHueI hu-
gers He saw a dark-eNed young fell
low, with big shoulders and a resolute
chin. At least those were the distin-
gushing charac1 eristiCs the elder man
first noticed.
James ProtlN roe" he murmured.
Then ne added, with little gasp. mot
the son Of my old boyhood pard, George
Protheroe?'
The young man smilingly nodded.
Whcrcupom the Older man seized him
by both hands and forced him into a
chair.
My dear boy" he cried "Where were
my eyes? Why, you're just like your
dad. Well. wcl' Bless him, | haven't
seen him for twenty years. Calls you
James. eh? Who's that for?"
For me. Shake hands again, name
sake. You are q remarkably fine young
man. And how's father?'
Very well. sir He sends you let
ter" and the young man drew it from
his pocket.
Sounds just like old George" he
Chuckled. "ITm-um-um. Loan yon
my boy jim. Teach him a little bust
ness. Cot some capital he might in
vest. Good boy Unn-um- UNI 1t
would he funny. wouldn't it, If Jim and
your motherless girl should take a
shine to each other? ! wouldn't OBJ
iect. I know she comes of good
stock "
whats that?" cried the startled
young man.
THAT wasn't meant for you to hear.
laughed the other. as he folded the let
ter and pushed 1t in his pocket. Then
he added: "SSce here, my boy, YOU
must come along with us to Revington.
We are going down there on my pri-
vate car; thirty-milc ride over our
rev suburban road. I've got business
with a man al Bevington that must be
attended to this noon. Then I've got
to be back here at . O'Clock to meet a
New Yorker who is passing through
My daughter Ethel, Miss Mayer, her
companion, and two young college fell
lows of her acquaintance Will go on
the trip with mo. Ethel viii take
along a hamper and feed us in the car,
and we ought to have a jolly time. I
want you to meet my daughter"
Thank you." said the young fellow.
II believe | have already met her. |
went to your home to see you and
found you had left the house Il little
earlier than usual. and your daugh-
tor-Im quite sure it was your daugh-
ter--kindly told me that you never
transacted any business at home.
The two men laughed together.
But you told her who wou were?'
mo. I didn't" replied the young man,
"Aftor her remark ] couldn't very we'll
It's business vou know. that brings
me to cleveland"
James Norcross laughed again.
"She probably took YOU. for a collec-
tor" he chuckled. But. here. we must
b. off. We have to meet the others
at the square i'm Just ten minutes.
They We're there and waiting when
the two men approached.
Ethel" said the older man, 81 want
you to become better acquainted with
James PrOthcrOe. of Kansas, whom
YOU have only met in a business way,
believe. You have often heard me
speak of his father"
The fair young girl with Just a
slight flush, extended her hand.
The name of PrOtheroe is a house
hold word with us. she said with a
smile that Jim Protheroe thought was
the sweetest ne had ever seen. Then
she presented him to Fraulein Mayer,
and made him acquainted with Mr..
Hosmer and Mr.. harrington.
you've surely heard of MI. Barring
ton" she said He was on the Var
Nard football team of '9S, and Mr.. Hall
is the champion sprinter of his col
lcge."
Young Protheroe bowed gravely in
acknowledgement of the honor confer
red upOn him in coming in personal
contact with such special distinctions.
Are YOU a college man, Mr., Proth-
eroc." inquired the eminent Barring
ton.
Yes" replied the Kansas youth,
adams. 81"
Just then the ear got under headway
and EtheIs father called Jim to step
70 the rear door and have look at
the roadhed Ethel had surprised the
glance that passed between HOsmer
and Barrington. 1t made her feel a
little chagrned They were evidently
sneering at the western young man,
Iteally, there was something different
like the other mems, He didn't wear
them with Just the same nOnchalance,
He appeared rather heavy and slow,
Very likely he was as dull as he acted
And vet he certainly seemed a very
presentable youth. Some people might
even call him handsome.
Her train of thought was interrupted
by her fathers voice.
why, bless my soul, boy" he was
saying, you know more about rall'
way building than l do. Where did
you pick it up?"
Helped lay out a road in Western
Kansas" replied Jim. That's one OF
the things we learned at Adams. | be,
lieve ! have the right to put civil
engineer after my name"
So he did know a little something
thought the girl, hut il seemed like
such uninteresting knowledge. Truly
he was decidedly different from the
eastern boys.
Then her father and Jim came into
the car and the conversation became
general
Ethel noticed that Jim held his own
pretty well when he did talk, but fOI
the most part he was but a listener