Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1900-12-26

"Bless my SOUL" said Folsom. 81
supposed that was what she was for.
What did these women mean by tell
ing me I must have a companions
guide, etc.?"
ssThey meant, you blessed daddy,
that they wished to provide you with
One of their number, and me-with
something I 90 not want. If 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 a little pause, and nesting close
to him with pathetic look in the big
brown eyes, her lips twitching a bit,
1'I know how loving and thoughtful
you has> been in all this, and 1
wouldn't have you think me migrate
full, but-did you believe [ was always
going to be little girl? What do
you suppose [ studied housekeeping
for at school? Mrs. Fletcher is en-
gagged, I presume, and can't ask you
to undo that now, but I wish you had
written to me first. However, if you
don't mind, there's somebody I'd
rather you would invite to take the
fourth seat to-day, and then you can
have .Pappoose beside you, if you
wish
'Why, of course, sweetheart, any
one you like"
''Lieut. LOOMS, then, daddy-the Of
fcer we met on the train. Jessie likes
him, and he's such a friend of her
brother-the only one we have yet
seen who seems to know him at all.
Then you could ask him to dinner,
too"
Folsom's face was study. Doubt
and perplexity both were twitching
in the little muscles about his lips.
''We met three officers, did we not,
Elinor, and [ had ught-somewha
of-asking the major and his guest.
He said he wished to call. He was
here while we were driving yesterday.
:. met him later
"Yes, | saw his card,'' was the hur-
ried, Indifferent answer. "But they
are not like Mr.. LOOMS. Daddy, did
not at all like that Capt. Newhall, or
for that matter"
''They both seemed prodigiously
struck with you," said Folsom, in mis-
guided confidence, yet pardonable
pride. "They've done nothing but talk
to me about you ever SINCE
"They did nothing but talk to me
all the way over the mountains, ex
cept when they were out taking what
I have reason to believe was an occa
sional drink, daddy mine. Jess had
Mr.. LOOMS to herself. They have
found your weak spot, daddy. They
know you love to talk of your daugh
ter You have only known Maj. Bur-
leigh a little while. Is it not SOP"
'Only within the year, perhaps,
though of course I've heard of him
great DEAL
''And this Capt. Newhali, whose reg
iment is in Louisiana while he's out
here on leave-I thought officers went
east when they got leave"
'.Newhall says he's out looking over
some mining schemes. He has money
to invest, [ believe"
''He should invest some money in
travelling suit, daddy, dear. That coat
and his linen seemed woefully out of
condition. Gentlemen are not care
less about such matters"
"Oh, he explained that his trunks
were delayed in Omaha or somewhere,
and were coming along next train. I
own I was prejudiced against him,
too, but of course if he's a friend and
guest of Burleigh's he-he must be all
right. He's staying with aim at the
depot
'.And you've got to invite them to
dinncr?" asked Miss Folsom, after an
other pause, during which she had
been thinking deeply.
''Not if you don't want it, pet. Of
course they'll expect it. Army officers
are hospitable, you know. Burleigh
has asked me to dine with him doz-
en- times, though I've only been there
once
''Then you'll have to invite him,
daddy" was the answer, with quick
decision. "Only, just wait for day
or two. Capt. Newhall was going