Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1902-11-29
A SUCCESSFUL RUSE.
ny wILLIA1I #. brown.

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1t would be an extremely nice arrange
ment il those two children Of ours would
fell in love with each othery You and
are getting along in years--eh, old friend?
and I'd Ike to see Lila settled in home
81 her own before the order comes for
taps. There Is no one In the world
would rather give my daughter to tnan
Billie; the boy il white clear through
be could scarcely be anything different,
thought, and has fathers son. / can't
imagine why they don't" continued the
Colonel, argumentatiyely; they like each
ether all right, and are always together
riding, playing golf or something but
never thought Of building nest Of their
own. just listen to that, Will yous" he
broke of.
Through the library doorway came the
blithe notes Of rollicking duet, sung by
two happy, eare-iree young voices a ten
der smile blossomed on Lawyer Reeds
elean-shaven lips Bless their heartsl"
be said, softly Nothing would give me
greater satisfaction or happiness, Phil,
than to have what you mentioned come
to pass. I've had the same thought my
self, and limited at something OF the same
kind to Billie-once'
'Wells" said Colonel Bradlee, tenta-
lively.
'The young rascal laughed at me; said
the idea was absurd; that while Lila and
he were the best Of chums, and all that,
there was no thought Of any nonsense of
that sort between them. Billie limited, :"
went on the Lawyer, ruefully, ''thatsd 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 think
ing Of such things call it flying in the
face Of Providence blocking an unex-
pected onslaught on his queen-"for if
ever two people were made for each other,
1t 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-in '65?'
Ben Johnson's mule!" replied the Col
onel, with reminiscent grin. "Of course
/ do. The boys used to say that when
Ben wanted that mule to go anywhere he'd
head him in the opposite direction, yell
Git up! at him, and old Caesar would
wheel and run the other way like a
deer"
Young human nature and mule pature
are a good similar sometimes" remarked
the Lawyer, significantly, leaning back in
his chair.
Vague comprehension began to dawn in
Colonel Bradlee's countenance. do you
think we might work something Of the
sort, Jack." he queried, eagerly "Td do
most anything to bring it out, 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 pre-
pare to have your innermost feelings out
ragged I'm going to insult you--for good
ness sake, Phil" he whispered, as he per-
ceiyed look of blank establishment
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 table
with bang. Colonel Bradlee," he cried
loudly, angrily, this is not the first time
have caught you trying to take an I'M
fair advantage, but it's the last game III
play with IA"
Something ehoked his speech, but the
Colonel rose to the situation like hero.
Leave my house." he roared, you in
sulting- er-er-p ettifogger" he wound
up, trinmphantly.
There was a sudden rush into the Ii
brary, and a dismayed chorus, "Father-
Colonel Bradlee"
"You too, sir" yelled the Colonel.
Don't you dare set foot in my house
again! Lila-if | know of your having
anything more to do with the son of John
Reed, Ill-Ill-disown you! They're a
pair Of"
Billie Reed grasped his fathers arm.
Come, father" he said, proudly, Colonel
Bradlee has forgotten that he is a gentle
man"