The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1901-12-11

Copyright. 1901, by Daily Story Pub. Coz
well, Dad. that was about the cley-
crest yet" and the girl burst into peal
of musical laughter. 1t was almost q
merry laugh, but for q note of something
that suggested scorn-a slight suggestion
of cynicsm, a ring that sounded trif1e
hard
Eyes. Katie, that was a hummer, sure"
responded the father heartily You re
gettin' better every day, my girl. 1tll
be lucky lad that gifts YOU" And burly
Tom Kelly, successful contractor and
politician, regarded his daughter with ad-
miration.
In sooth she was a likely object OF adj
miration Tall and straight and fair,
with a form of rare perfection and the
pink cheeks and blue eyes and brown
hair which typifies the beauty of the
daughters Of Erin.
You did the lovesick and injured
maiden to a turn burst out the father
with guffaw that turned his thick neck
deep purple. why, one would THINK
that you were dyin' Of grief at the very
thought of partin from the little doodle,
and when we signed the paper agreein'
not to see him again ye looked so heart
broken that I was nearly fooled myself
and Altered that We had fell in love with
the lobster Why. old Randolph was ell
broke UP and thinks its us dom him
favor Oh, he'll vote all right in the co,in-
Gil and we're safe to be let alone on that
Marion street contract, anyway. nat
means twenty thousand, because the price
is right and the inspectors are fixed ana
we'll build the sewer to suit oursen.
And the contractor laughed again as he
lit a thick cigar.
but 1 hate it all the same. Dad" said
the girl the merriment fading from her
face. Eyes, I do in response to the re-
proachful expression on her fathers face.
And 1 feel sorry for that little Percie
| Randolph He Is dreadful fond of me,
and led him along. and he will be mis-
erable-and it is all SO cold-blooded and
dishonest-and heartless. / hate 1t, Dad.
Amt we got pretty near enough so We
can quit 1t and live like other folKs!'
Come, now replied Kelly, in genuine
alarm. Don't git soft now that we've
got everything comm our way. The ad-
ministration is with us, I've got the boys
in the council scared at my influence in
the south side wards and with your help
we're drivin' the reformers OF. Jest give
me two more years and We'll have tidy
fortune-enough to set you and John up
in the world and leave me plenty to play
politics like gentleman.
The father went away and the girl
sat for a long time thinking. "A free
country" she exclaimed scornfully. a
free people governing themselves, indeed.
They are a pack of fools driven hither
| and thither by lot of politicians and
contractors who have no higher purpose
than the lining of their own pockets
A familiar step sounded on the walk
outside and the door bell rang. The
blood leaoed to her cheeks as she hur-
ried to the door and admitted hand
some, stalwart young fellow, ruddy-faced
and bright-eyed, who, as soon as the
door was closed clasped her in his arms
and danced down the hall, dragging her
along with him, despite her laughing
protests as he exclaimed:
..Great news, Katie; great news"
"What is it. WIFI" she asked with
an ardor equal to his own. And, sir,
| you will please conduct yourself in a
more dignified manner and with more
/ respect for my person when you come
here again"
THAT'S just what I tell you,'' he re-
piled, gayly. We are both getting old
and it is time that we were married and