The Beaver herald. [volume] (Beaver, O.T. [Okla.]) 1895-1923, 1901-04-25
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Wn0x Old tncse women mean " tch-
ing ~ must have companion-a q
guide, ete.T
"They meant, you blessed daddy,
that they wished TO provide you with
---one Of their number, and me--with
something I do not want. IL Mrs.
Fletcher IN 20 be housckeeper, have
nothing TO say. but-dont you think
your big daughter old enough and
wise enough to select her own COM
psnioas7 Daddy dear" she continued,
after o little pause, and Nesting close
20 him with o pathetic look In the big
brown eyes, her lips twitching n bit,
"I know how loving and thoughtful
you have been in all this, and 1
wouldn't have you think me migrate
full, but--did you believe I was always
going to be little girl? What do
you suppose I studied housekeeping
for ct school? Mrs. Fletcher Is en-
gagged, I presume, and can't ask you
TO undo that now, but wish you had
written to me first. However, II you
don't mind, there's somebody I'd
rather you would invite 10 take the
fourth seat to-dny, and then you can
have Pnppoose beside you, II you
wish"
"why. Of course. sweetheart, any
one you like"
"Lieut. Loomis, then, dnddy-the Of
hcer we met on the train. Jessie likes
him, and he's such friend of her
brother-thc only one we have yet
seen who seems 20 know him mt all.
Then you could ask him TO dinner,
too"
J Folsom's face was study. Doubt
T, and pcrplexity both were twitching
in the little muscles about his lips.
IA I'VE met three officers, did we not,
Elinor, and had thought somewhat
of--askIng the major and his guest.
He said he wished to call. He was
here Wilde we were driving yesterday.
met him later"
''Ycs, saw his card" was the hur-
rsed, indifferent answer. "But they
are no. like Mr.. Loomis. Daddy, did
not at all like that Capt. Newhall, or
for that matter"
"Ttey both seemed prodigiously
struck with you," said Folsom. in mis-
guided confidence, yet pnrdonable
pride. "They've done noting but talk
20 me about you ever since.
Z 'Thcy 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 nn occa-
sional drink. daddy mine. jess had
a..
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 II not so?"
"Oniy within the year, perhaps,
though of course I've heard of him q
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. lie has money
90 invest, ] believe"
"IIc should invest some money In {.
travelling suit, daddy, dear. That coat
and his linen seemed woefully out of
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 II he's friend and
guest OF Burleigh's he--bc must be all
right. He's staying with him at the
depot"
"And you've got to invite them TO
dinner" asked Miss Folsom, after an
other pause, during which she had
been thinking deeply.
mot IL you don't want II, pet. OF
course they'll expect IL. Army officers
are hospitablc. you know. Burleigh
has asked me TO dine with him n doz-
en- times. though I've only been there
once
Then you'll have TO invite him,
daddy" wns the answer, with quick
decision. "only, just whit for day
or two. Capt. Newhali was going
right out TO the mines, he said, and
there may be others we'd be glad to
have. Jessie's brother ought to be
here any hour"
: "Yes," snid Folsom, obviously. i've
been thinking about him-I'ye been
wishing"
But he bcsitatcd and faltercd and
could not meet the deep brown eyes,
30 iuli OF searching inquiry and keen
intelligence.
You've been thinking. what, dad
dy?' she asked, and now her slender
hands were on his shoulders and she
was turning him so that she could
study his face. "You have been hear.
ing something you do not wish us
To know, daddy, dear. / heard Mai.
Barleigh say something To Mr.. Loomis
about-nbout Lieut.. Dean. and I know
Mr.. LoOmis did not like II, and .Ies.
sic and i can't believe II. Father,
where Is hep Why doesn't he come {?
Why do these--these people Mt the
fort hem and hnw and hesitate when
they speak about him? Jessie is
getting SO troubled" H4.
I'm getting troubled. daughter"
answered Folsom, impulsively. "I
never isst Nkelisr young fellow or
one that promised to make better
ohicer. He may be all right. too. only
tt isn't 80 much what they do say as
what they don't say that troubles me.
burleigh here and old Stevens cut at
the t>rt and one or two others I've
'osked about him. Burleigb says he
lost his nerve when they met Red
Cisuds big band. A boy might be ex-
cpssd for that 10 long as he didn't
mlsbehsve. IL was big responsibility y
for . young lieutenant. Hut these
people. - y0n spesk Of them out u
Ne fort really know very little about
Dssn. B.rl<ieh ssss hes in . position