Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1900-09-18
CHAPTER TX.

For nearly week after the home
coming of his beloved daughter John
i Folsom was too happy in her presence
Ito give much thought to other matters.
by the end of that week, however, the
honest old westerner found anxieties
thickening about him. There were IS
hours of undimmed rejoicing. Elinor
was SO radiant, SO fond, ara had grown,
so said the proud father to himself, and
so said others, SO wondrously lovely.
His eyes followed her every movement.
He found himself negligent of her gem
tie little friend and guest, Jessie Dean,
to whom he had vowed to be second
father, and such friend as she had
been to his Pappoose when, a homesick,
sad-eyed child, she entered upon her
schooldays. Elinor herself had to
chide him, and with contrition and dis
may he admitted his fault, and then
for hours nothing could exceed his hos
pitable attentions to Jessie, who, sore
ly disappointed because Marshall was
not there to meet her, was growing
anxious as no tidings came from him.
Two whole days the damsels spent in
going over the new house, exclaiming
over papa's lavish preparations, but
wishing presently that Mrs. Fletcher
were not quite SO much in evidence,
here, there, and everywhere. Only
when bedtime came and they could
nestle in one or other of their connect
ing rooms were they secure from inter
ruption, and even then it presently APP
peared they could not talk confiden-
tally as of old. Folsom had taken
them driving each afternoon, he him
self handling the reins over his hand
some bays, Elinor at his side the first
time, and Jessie, with Mrs. Fletcher,
occupying the rear seat. But this,
Elinor whispered to'him, was not as it
should be. Her guest should have the
seat of honor. So, next day, Jessie was
and Pappoose were placed in rear,
and in this order they bowled round
the fort and listened to the band and
talked with several of the women and
one or two officers, but these latter
could tell nothing about Lieut.. Dean
except that they had been expecting
him for two days-he having taken the
long way home, which both Jessie and
Pappoose considered odd under the
circumstances, though neither said so
and nobody thought to explain. But
the morning of the third day Miss Fol
som"--as the veteran was amazed to
hear his daughter addressed, yet on re-
Election concluded that he'd be tempted
to kick any man who addressed her
otherwise seized a favorable foppor-
tunity and whisked her fond father
into corner of his library, and there
gave him to understand that in eastern
circles the housekeeper might some
times, perhaps, accompany the young
ladies when they We're going shopping,
or the like, alone, but that when
escorted by papa it was quite unneces-
sary. 1t was, in fact, not at all con-
ventional
BLESS my soul!" said Folsom. ST
supposed that was what she was for.
What did these women mean by tell
ing me l must have companion-a
guide, etc.?"
They meant, you blessed daddy,
that they wished to provide you with
one of their number, and me-with
something do not want. Ii Mrs.
Fletcher is to be housekeeper, have
nothing to say, but--don't you think
your big daughter old enough and
wise enough to select her own COM
panions? Daddy dear" she continued,
after little pause, and nesting close