The Chickasha daily express. (Chickasha, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1899-current, 1903-05-16
Mother Mississippi's Voice

1t was excessively inconsiderate Of
Mrs. Downs to die just as he was
about to close that n r & NJ merger.
argued Henry Yates. but with due re-
spect for his sister, he turned his
back on his New York Office boarded
the "20-hour train for Chicago, and
Of a sudden, found himself living in
the past
He wakened to a realization that
years had passed since his gentle,
shrinking wife had closed her eyes 70
sight Of him standing shocked and
wide-eyed with wee baby girl In his
arms.
He had been SO busy, fighting for d
footnold in chicago's financial world,
that he had failed to note his wife's
failing health, and even in the hour
Of her death, he had not realized that
she had died literally OF heart-hunger
of longing for the companionship
and the protecting love, but not the
dollars. Of the man she had married
OF one thing he was sure. He had
loved her. in bis passive way, and had
meant to make a great lady Of her
when ne had won his financial fight
He hated the child who robbed him OF
his wife
So the babe had been thrust into
the willing arms Of bis widowed sis
ter, and be had plunged back into the
business maelstrom,
And now, Of course, with Mrs.
Downs death. something must be
done Doubtless his sister had had
intimate friends among her own sex.
The problem would be solved some
how
And Il was, but not Just as he had
expected
Edith settled it for herself. when
she came 70 greet him. big-eyed. slen-
der. ilylike and sorrowful. The
daughter was her mother Of their
honeymoon days,
Yates reached out his arms with
great cry. The paternal instinct
awolse with a rush that robbed him Of
speech. But the girl understood She
was the sort who could read men
Alright
From that hour Edith's happiness
and social success were Of more vital
interest to Henry Yates than the ac.
qulrement Of stock and bonds The
latter were useful only ia furthering
her interests.
A iordling of depleted fortune but
irreproaehable social connections
came and 1aw but did not conquer
Yates said the price was too high. and
his daughter, curled up in his never
failing arms. thanked him between
sobs Of JOY.
But al this did not help matters
when Allen Houston appeared on the
horizon, and. SO far as Edith was con
cerned, filed It completely. Young
Houston had q small patrimony. a
tremendous fund Of ambition, and the
profile OF "a poet
Henry Yates said No" Edith re
membered the lonely years her father
had spent, talked pathetically. yet not
wayering. Of duty and Houston
flung himself into the wilds OF the
west.
Edith did not grieve openly, but the
loving eyes Of her father We're not to
be deceived. He became restless and
anxious. and SO they decided that New
York was unbearable and the sight OF
New Orleans during the Mardi Gras
would DO them both good
Mr Yates planned the trip without
consulting Edith They would 60 to
Memphis by rail and there board one
Of the old-fashioned sternwheel river
boats for New Orleans
They reached Memphis at night, but
he insisted upon a glimpse Of the ma
5estic sheet Of swirling, yellow water
It was like meeting an old friend. he
declared.
The next morning they went on
board the Valley Queen. Yates walked