Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1903-09-29
CHAPTER VII.

f04aaSJ promenaders, into the office,
(sSs&22J anxious to escape being spo-
ken to by any one. But here several jo-
vial men from the mountains who
knew him intimately gathered around
him and began to make laughing re-
marks about his dress.
you look fer the world like a dirt
dauber." This comparison to kind
Of black wasp came from Pole Baker,
tall, heavily built farmer, with an
enormous head, thick eyebrows and
long, shaggy hair. He lived on Bish-
ops farm and had been brought up
with Alan. "I'll be derned CT you
amt nimble on yore feet, though. I've
seed you cut the pigeon wing over on
Messy creek with them big, strappin'
gals fore you had yore sights as high
as these town folks"
"It's that thar vest that gifts me-"
said another. II reckon it's cut low
so you Won't drap saft victuals ON it,
but guess you don't do much eatin'
with that collar on. 1t don't look like
yore Adams apple could stir peg I'M
der it."
With good natured reply and
laugh lie did not feel, Alan hurried out
of the office and up to his room, where
he had left his lamp burning. Ray
burn Miller's hat and light overcoat
| were on the bed. Alan sat down in
one of the stiff backed, split bottom
chairs and stared straight in front of
him. Never in his life had he suffered
as he was now suffering. He could see
no hope ahead; the girl he loved was
lost to him. Her father had heard Of
the foolhardiness Of old man Bishop
and, like many another well meaning
| parent, had determined to save his
| daughter from the folly of marrying
penniless man who had doubtless in
herited his fathers lack of judgment
| and caution.
There was rap on the closed door,
and Immediately afterward Rayburn
Miller turned the knob and came in.
His kindly glance swept the face Of
his friend, and he said, with forced
lightness:
II don't want to bore you, old man,
but just had to follow you. saw
from your looks as you left the ball
room that something was wrong, and
I am afraid know what it is. You
see, Captain Barclay is rough, out
spoken man, and he made a remark
the other day which reached me. l
wasn't sure 1t was true, so didn't
mention 1t; but reckon my informant
knew what he was talking about
Alan nodded despondently. II asked
her to go to church with me tomorrow
night. She was awfully embarrassed
and finally told me Of her fathers OBJ
jections."
II think l know what fred the old
devil up" said Miller.
you do?"
eyes. 1t was that mistake of your
father. AS l told you, the colonel is
as mad as wet hen about the whole
thing. He's got rope tied to every
nickel he's got, and he intends to leave
Dolly good deal of money. He thinks
Frank Hillhouse is just the thing. He
shows that as plain as day. He no.
ticed how frequently you came to see
Dolly and scented danger ahead and
simply put his foot down on it, just
as fathers have been doing ever since
the flood. My dear boy, you've got a
bitter pill to take, but you've got to
swallow it like man. You've reached
point where two roads fork. 1t is
for you to decide which one you'll
take"
| Alan made no reply. Rayburn Mil
Ter lighted cigar and began to smoke
steadily.
ITS none of my business" Miller
burst out suddenly, "but I'm friend
enough of yours to feel this thing like
the devil. However, 1 don't know
what to say. / only wish knew how
far you've gone into it."
Alan smiled mechanically.
"1f you can't look at me and see how
far I've gone, you are blind" he said.
II don't mean that" replied Miller.
II was wondering how far you had
committed yourself-oh. hang it,
made love and all ti.At eott of thing
Give meyer spoken to -, ca the sub
ject." Alan Informed IN c.ocn.ily.
..'Good, good! Sp,cnl. r.
Alan stared in surprise.
II don't understand lie said. Ssh,
knows-that is, think size knows
how feel, and have hoped that
s.Neyer mind about that" interrupted
Miller laconically. "There is chance
for both of you if yoL:. turn square
around like sensible Eumax beings ant
look the facts in the face."s
"Iou mean
"That it will be stupid, childish i'd
iocy for either or both of you to lie
this thing spoil your lives"
II don't understand you"
swell, you will before Pm through
with you, and I'll do you up brown
There are simply two courses open Il
you, my boy. One is to treat Colone
Barclays wishes with dignified respec
and bow and retire just as any Eu
ropean gentleman would do when TOLD
that his pile was too small to be con
sidered."
"And the other?" asked Alan sharp
~:
''The other Is to follow in the foot
steps of nearly every sentimental foo
that ever was born and go around look
ing like last years birds nest or
worse yet, persuading the girl to elop
and thus angering her father so tina
he will cut her out of what's comm!
to her and what is her right, my boy
She may be willing to live OH brea,
and water diet for awhile, but shell
lose flesh and temper in the long run