The Iola register., 1900-11-16

escorted by papa IL was quite unneces-
sary. 1T was, in fact. not at all con
ventional
"Bless my sou!" said Folsom. 81
supposed that was what she was for
What did these women mean by tell.
ing me | must have companion-a
guide, etc.?"
"They meant, you blessed daddy
that they wished to provide you with
--one of their number, ard 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 a pathetic look in the big
brown eyes. her lips twitching a bit.
81 know how loving and though tful
you have been in all this, and l
wouldn't have you think me migrate.
full, but-did you believe was always
going to be little girl? What do
you suppose 1 studied housekeeping
Tor at school2 Mrs. Fletcher is en-
gagged. | presume, and / can't ask you
to undo that now, but wish you had
written to me first. However. IL 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, IL you
wish"
"Why, of course, sweetheart, any.
one you like"
"Lieut. Loomis, then. daddy-the of.
ficer we met on the train. Jessie likes
him, and he's such 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 a study. Doubt
and perplexitv both were twitching
in the little muscles about his lips.
1--WE met three officers. did we not
Elinor, and had hought-somewha
of-askng 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.. Loomis. 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
| have reason to believe was an occa
sional drink, daddy mine. Jess had
Mr.. Loomis 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 little while. Is it not SOP"
"Only within the year, perhaps.
though of course I've heard of him n
great deal"
And this Capt. Newhall, 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"
Gle should invest some money in a
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.
own ] 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 him at the
depot"
"And you've got TO invite them to
dinnerP" 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. Burleigl
has asked me to dine with him a 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
right out to the mines, he said, and
there may be others we'd be glad tc
have. Jessie's brother ought to bt
here any hour"
"Yes," said Folsom, obviously. "I'vt
been thinking about him-Pve beer
Wishing"
But he hesitated and faltered snt
could not meet the deep brown eyes
80 full of searching inquiry and keer
intelligence.
"You've been thinking-what, dad
dy?' abe asked, and now her slender
hands were on his shoulders and she
was turning him so that she coulC
study his face. "You have been hear
ing something you do not wish III
TO know, daddy, dear. heard Maj
Burleigh say something to Mr.. Loomii
about-about Lieut.. Dean, and know
Mr.. Loomis did not like it, and Jes