The Irish standard. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn. ;) 1886-1920, 1901-01-05
CHAPTER IN.-CoNr1NUEp.

What did these women mean by tell
ing me must have a companion-a
guide, etc.,"
'They meant, you blessed daddy,
that they wished to provide you with
one of their number, and me-with
something I DO 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 little pause, and nesting close
to him with pathetic look in the big
brown eyes, her lips twitching bit,
II know how loving and thoughtful
you have been in all this, and I
wouldn't have you think me migrate
full. but-did you believe I was always
going to be little girl? What do
you suppose l studied housekeeping
for 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. LOOMS, then, daddy-the Of
ficer we met on the train. Jessie likes
him, and he's such a 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 perplexity both were twitching
in the little muscles about his lips.
1--WE met three officers, did we not,
Elinor, and had thought-somewhat
of-asking the ma jor and his guest.
He said he wished to call. He was
here while we were driving yesterday.
I met him later"
Eyes, 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-
bional drink, daddy mine. Jess had
Mr.. Loomis to herself. They have
know you love to ,alll of your daugh-
ter, You have only known Maj. Bur-
leigh a little while. Is it not SOP"
Only within the year, perhaps,
though of course Eve heard of him u
great deal"
"And this Capt Ne-vhuIl, whose reg.
= iment is in Louisiana while he's out
here on leave--l thought officers went
east when they got leave"
"Newhall says he's out looking over
some mining schemes. He has money
to invest. L believe
"IIe should invest some money in q
travelling suit, daddy, dear. That coat
and his linen seemed woefully out OF
condition. Gentlemen are not care.
less about such mt tiers"
ooh, he explained that his trunks
were delayed in Omaha or somewhere
and were coming along next train.
own | was prejuticed against him
too, but of course if he's friend and
guest Of Burlcigh's hc--hc must be al
right. Hes staying with him at the
depot"
and you've got to invite them tc
dinner" asked Miss Folsom, after an
other pause, during which she hat
been thinking deeply.
mot if You don't want it, pet OF
course they'll expect it. Army officer.
are hospitablc. YOU know. Burleigl
has asked me to dine with him n doz
en- times, though I've only been thcr,
once
Then you'll have to invite him
daddy" was the answer. with quicl
decision. Only, just wait for da,
or two. Capt. Newhall was goin&
right out to the mines, he said, ant
there may be others we'd be glad t,
have. Jessic's brother ought to b,
here any hour
Eyes" said Folsom, obviously. "I'v'
OSCiA Hill We UCCl
wishing"
But he hesitatcd and faltered ant
could not meet the deep brown eyes
so full of searching inquiry and kee,
intelligence. .....
"You'vc been thinking-what, dad
dye" she asked, and now her slende
hands were on his shoulders and sh
was turning him SO that she coul,
study his face. .'You have been hear
ing something you do not wish u
to know, daddy, dear. heard Ma:
Burleigh say something to Mr.. Loomi
about--about Lieut.. Dean, and kno,
Mr.. Loomis did not like it, and Jes
sic and l can't believe it. Father
where is he? Why doesn't he come
Why do these-these people at tn
fort hem and haw and hesitate whe
they speak about him? Jessie
getting SO troubled
''I'm getting troubled. daughter,
answered Folsom, impulsively.
never met likelier young fellow o
zone that promised to make bette
officer. He may be all right. too, onl
it isn't SO much what they do say a
what they don't say that troubles m,
Burleigh here and old Stevens out q
the fort and one or two others "
asked about him. Burleigh says b
lost his nerve when they met Re