Wausau pilot. [volume] (Wausau, Wis.) 1896-1940, 1902-12-16
IN DEFINlcE OF AUTHORITY

~ ACk," observed the Colonel let
Ill ting his hand hover irresolutely
over the chess board, has 1t ever
occurred 70 you that It would be an
extremely nice arrangement if those
TWO children of ours would fall in love
with each Otherg You and l are get
ting along in years-eh, old friend p.
aud Id Ike to see Lila settled in 4
home Of her own before the order
comes for taps. There is no one in the
world ( would rather give my daughter
10 than Billie; the boy is white clear
fhrough-he could scarcely be anything
different. though. and his fathers son.
! cant imagine Why they don't" con-
tinued the Colonel argumentatlyely;
they liEe each 9TH r all right, and are
always together tidlng. playing golf
or something never thought of
building a nest OF their own. Just
listen to that. Wal your he broke off
Through the library doorway came
the bllthe notes Of a rollicking duet.
sung by two happy. care-free young
voices A tender smile blossOmed on
Lawyer Reeds cIean-shaven lips.
Nothing would give me greater salts
faction or happiness. Phil. than to have
what you mentioned come to pass. I've
had the same thought myself, and hint
ed at something of the kind to Billie
once"
"Well?" said Col Bradlee tentative
~.
The young rascal laughed at me: said
The idea was absurd; that while Lila
and he were the best of chums. and all
chat. there was no thought of any non
sense Of that sort between them. Billie
limited" went on the lawyer. ruefully.
that | had better stick to chess. and
let matchmaking alone"
Lila appears to be of about the same
opinion" remarked the Colonel. dryly
"She called me an old goose to be
thinking of such things. call 1t dying
in the face of Providence"-b blocking
an unexpected onslaught on his queen
for il ever two people We're made
for each other. It was those two. and
they haven't the sense to see It."
John Reed nodded, then all at once
smote his knee softly with his hand.
Phil" he said. lowering his voice, do
YOU remember that white mule we
used to have at headquarters-iI '65?"
Ben JohnsOn's mule?" replied the
Colonel. with a reminiscent grin. "Of
course 1 do. The boys used to say
that when Ben wanted that mule to go
anywhere he'd lead him in the opposite
direction, yell Git up at him, and old
Caesar would wheel and run the other
way like u deer"
Young human nature and mule ma
ture are good deal similar some
times" remarked the lawyer. signiti-
cantly. leaning back in his chair.
Vague comprehension began to dawn
on Colonel Bradlee's countenance. do
YOU think we might work something of
the sort, Jackg" he queried. eagerly.
I'D do most anything to bring it about
short OF putting my girl on bread and
] water-or not kissing her"
John Reed rose to his feet. philip
Bradiee." he said. in a serious voice.
prepare to have your innermost feel
lngs outraged. l am going to insult
you-For goodness sake. Phil" he
whispered. as he perceived a look of
blank establishment sweep over his
friends face, don't look like that: it's
only biu1l Play your part. man. and
don't give me away"
He swept tue chess board of the ia
ble with bank Colonel Bradlee."
he cried loudly. angrily. this is not the
first time have caught you trying To
take an unfair advantage. but it's the
last game I'll play with a-a--"
Something ehoked his speech. but
The Colonel rose to the situation like a
hero. Leave my house." he reared.
You insulting -er-er-p ettifoggerr' he
wound up. triumphantly.
There was sudden rush into the H.
brary. and dismayed chorus. Father,
Colonel Bradlee"
You. too. SIR yelled the Colonel.
Don't you dare set foot In my house
again. Llla-If know of your having
anything more TO do with the son of
Iohn Reed. rll-rn-diSown you,
They're a pair Of"
Billie Reed grasped his fathers arm.
Como. father" he said. proudly. Col
mel Brssdlee has forgotten that he is a
gcntleman~
As the pair marched stlffiy erect
through the library door the lawyer
cautiously turned his head; but L!la's
eyes were too full OF tears to intercept
he deliberate wink he shot at the man
he ha So basely Insulted.
They'll never consent" said IlNa.
liolefully. She was standing with Billie
Reed behind the grape arb0r In her
fathers yard a week later. and even a
dlsintereSted spectator would have
needed NO second glance 10 have shown
aim that the wondrouS Ight-which
never vet was on sea or land-was su
aCouui them.
y What II they don'tg" replied Billie
h Stoutsy. They ought to be ashamed of
themselves. anyway. trying to keep us
apart because they've quarreledl
owe them n debt Of gratitude for Z.
though. I've found out how blind |
waS-aRd It's given me the right to-"
~ISilllel'' cried a muffied voice. some
aedy'n surely see us,''
let EN- replied Billie. Now. list
.cn. Mrs William Reed-to-be-its no
use for US to wait for parental approy-
Al father and Colonel Bra lee won't
rs much as bow TO each otherl Let's
wake matters into our own hands. and
Rset married right now-this afterroont
Faen we can tell 'em. and then can
sstorm as nlech as they Ike. and they
lanf alter anything. Besides. | don't
sssleve they would hold out forever.
ID Wen slip out the back gate. and 90
n llown 70 the church study on Carver
IN Atreet saw the Rev. Tisdale going
ID when / came over Billie fumblci
Ia his pocket. and produced formld-
tiele looking document Il got SPECIAL
license this morning be announced. In
triumphant tones