Cameron County press. [volume] (Emporium, Cameron County, Pa.) 1866-1922, 1901-01-17
CHAPTER IX.-CoNTISUED


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, and me-with
something 1 40 net want If Mrs.
Fletcher is to he housekeeper, l 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,
81 know how loving and thoughtful
you have been in all this, and
wouldn't have you think me ungrate-
full, but--did you believe l was always
going to be a little girl? What do
you suppose | studied housekeeping
tor at school? Mrs. Fletcher is en-
gagged. | presume, and l can't ask you
to undo that now. but | 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.. 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 study. Doubt
and perpleXity both were twitching
in the little muscles about his lips.
1--WE met three officers, did we not.
Elinor and | had thought-somewh at
of-asiing the major and his guest.
He said he wished to call. He was
here while we were driving yesterday.
! met him later"
"Ies, | 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 pardona BILE
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 so?"
"Only within the year. perhaps,
though of course I've heard of him a
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"
'IIe 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
dinner?" asked Miss Folsom, after an
other pause, during which she had
been thinking deeply.
mot if you don't want it, pet OF
course they'll expect it. Army officers
are hospitabIe, you know. Burlegh
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
Oh two. Capt. Newhall was going