Holbrook argus. (Holbrook, Ariz.) 1900-1913, 1901-07-13

d THE CAHOH'S mOUTH 81

duNOCule peace WHICH HuSI DeHeut
every one, must appeal to every one
except. perhaps, the military men,"
"Oh, assure you, the officers will be
perfectly wild about it. It's just the
thing they can understand" !
Dear mel You astonish me. Yet,
perhaps, a peace which contains no
element of shame"
"Oh, it's all right in that way"
Would appeal even to an officer in
his majesty's service.
The canon leaned back in his seat,
and meditated on this new view Of life,
while the lady resumed her newspaper,
and the express painted out Of the Box
| tunnel, and was encouraged to hasten
by the scent Of Swindon in the dis
lance.
Thefcanon felt in his coat pocket and
found. Reggie's letter. 1t was just the
sort Of impetuous boys letter which ir-
ritates the middle-aged. Canon Beck
ford read 1t once again: /:
Dear Governor: I'm awfully sorry
to disobey you, but whatever happens,
l am determined to marry Cissie. If
| you would consent to see her, am sure
you would like her. She is the best girl
in the world. If you cut off my al
lowance of course shall have to chuck
the law and try what can do on the
stage. 1 daresay I shall get on all
right, because Cissie is just the sort of
a girl to help a man. But, all the
same, should be grieved If you turned
your back on your affectionate son.
REGGIE"
Consent to see her, indeedp' NUT
tered the canon, as the preposterous
conduct Of his son stood out before him
in its most outrageous colors. He tore
the letter across and across, and threw
the pieces on the floor Of the carriage.
you have dropped the envelope"
said the young lady, sweetly, handing
it to the canon.
ooh, think you-thank you! Pardon
me, was agitated- A pure
ly personal matter"
The lady picked up her dressing bag
and put it on the rack taking care to
cram the label into obscurlty. Then
she sat down opposite the canon.
Tell me-" she said. You needn't
mind; we may never see one another
again-and q woman can often help a
man."
The canon stared. But pretty won-
an who offers assistance Is not gen
orally denied.
you could scarcely understand" he
said. But I'm bothered about son
Of mine who wants to marry q girl
fron-from the footlights."
And why not?"
"Oh, obviously"
you have never seen herr
"God forbidr'
"And does she insist on-on your son
marrying herr"
81 should assume that she would be
glad Of such an alliance"
The young lady leaned back a mo-
ment and thought. Then. bending for.
ward, she began again:
Canon Beckford-"
How did you know?" asked the
canon, as she hesitated.
"Oh, saw your name on the envel
ope. But what 1 was going to say is
this: That If she was a good girl
really a nice girl, she wouldn't want
to marry your son at the risk of drag
ging him down. If she felt that she
would ruin him she would send hiH
, away, and-well-and perhaps she
would ruin herself to save him. Yor
see what mean"
eff she took that view"
Perhaps she does. You've never
: seen her."
; Young women Of that class" the
I canon began. and hesitated. But, Of
course, you know nothing Of them"
"Oh, but 1 do! Do you know, I'm IL
precisely the same situation. An OBJ
durate parent refuses his consent to hi
sons marriage with me-absolutely re
: fuses"
!, why does he refuseT asked tn
> canon.
Because he thinks am not worth,
= Of his son."
HE has not seen you." said tn
canon.
HE has," replied the young lady.
y Frankly. can't believe it." said tn
canon. IF he had seen you. he mus
% have consented"
q Tickets. please" called the inspect
ors.
For two minutes conversation was IN
Il terrupted, owing to the stop at West
:" bourne park. Then the train began t
slide into Paddington.
. what are you laughing att" aske
the canon.
do you really mean you would hav
consented?"
~ Certainly. But may I call you
cab Or"
Thanks, I'm being met" said til
T young lady.
The train drew in to the platform
ie its deliberately weary way.
The canon opened the door Of the ca
le riage, lifted out the young lady's dres
g ing bag, and tried with his finger
:, bring the label into the line of visio
-, AS he tried young man stalked I
~ to the platform and linked his ar
"a in the canon's.
"Hullo, Governor he said, extendiI
- the other hand to the owner Of Il
dressing bag. at was jolly of you