Corvallis gazette. [volume] (Corvallis, Benton County, Or.) 1900-1909, 1902-12-12
IN DEFIANCE OF AUTHORITY

over the cDeSS DOarQ, mas II ever
occurred to you that it would be all
extremely nice arrangement If those
two children of ours would fall in love
with each other? You and l are get
ting along in years-eh, old friend 2
and I'd like to see Lila settled In a
home of her own before the order
comes for taps. There is no one in the
world 1 would rather give my daughter
to than Billie; the boy Is white clear
through-he could scarcely be anything
different, though, and his fathers son.
l can't imagine why they DON'T con-
tinued the Colonel, argumentativelyi
''they like each other all right, and are
always together-rding, playing golf
or something-but never a thought OF
building a nest of their own. Just
listen to that, will you?" he broke off.
Through the library doorway came
the blithe notes of a rollicking duet,
sung by two happy, care-free young
voices. A tender smile blossomed on
Lawyer Reeds clean-shaven lips.
BLESS their heartsE' he said, softly.
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
ly.
The young rascal laughed at me; said
the Idea was absurd; that while Lila
fhn Of oh nd oil
that, there was no thought Of any non
sense of that sort between them. Billie
hinted," went on the lawyer, ruefully,
that had better stick to chess, and
let match making 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 it flying
in the face of Providence"-bloc
an unexpected onslaught on his queen
for if ever two people were 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 '65?"
Ben Johnson's mule?" replied the
Colonel, with a reminiscent grin. 'Of
course l do. The boys used to say
that when Ben wanted that mule to go
anywhere he'd lead him in the opposite
direction, yell Cit upr at him, and old
Caesar would wheel and run the other
way like deer"
Young human nature and mule ma
ture are a 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, Jack?" 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
Bradlee," he said, in a serious voice.
prepare to have your innermost feel
ings outraged. l am going to insult
you-For goodness sake, Phil" he
whispered. as he perceived a look of
blank astOnishment sweep over his
friends face, don't look like that; it's
only bluff! Play your part, man, and
don't give me away"
He swept the chess board off the ia
BILE with a bank. Colonel Bradlee," :"
he cried loudly, angrily, this is not the
first time l have caught you trying to
take an unfair advantage, but it's the
last game I'll play with a-a-"
Something choked his speech, but
the Colonel rose to the situation like
hero Leave my house." he roared,
you insulting-er-er-p he
wound up, triumphantly.
There was sudden rush into the IL
brary, and dismayed chorus, Father!
Colonel Bradlee"
You, too, sir" yelled the Colonel.
Don't you dare set foot in my house
again. Lila-if l know of your having
anything more to do with the son of
John Reed. I'll-Ill- -disown you!
They're a pair Of"
Billie Reed grasped his fathers arm.
Come, father" he said, proudly, Col
onel Bradlee has forgotten that he is
gentleman"
AS the pair marched Stitt1y erect
through the library door the lawyer
cautiously turned his head; but Lila's
eyes were too full of tears to intercept
the deliberate wink he shot at the man
he had so basely insulted.
They'll never consent" said Liza,
dolefully. She was standing with Billie
Reed behind the grape arbor in her
fathers yard week later, and even a
disinterested spectator would have
needed no second glance to have shown
him that the wondrous light-which
never yet was on sea or land-was all
around them.
What if they don't?" replied Billie,
stoutly. They ought to be ashamed of
themselves. anyway, trying to keep us
apart because they've quarreled!
owe them a debt of gratitude for it,
though. I've found out how blind l
was-and it's given me the right to"
"Billier' cried mutfied voice, some
body'a surely see usr'
Let 'em! replied Billie. "Now, list
en-, Mrs. William Reed o-be-it's no
use for us to wait for parental approx
al, father and Colonel Bradlee won't