The Virginia enterprise. [volume] (Virginia, St. Louis County, Minn.) 1893-19??, 1903-05-15
The DiSinherited Fathers.
By Frances Wilson.
THERE was I; rap at the door and
/ the bell-boy handed in some let
.O~O>O~

HERE was Il rap at the door and
/ the bell-boy handed in some let
ters. Young Staymore examined the
superscriptions eagerly.
Here they are, Rose, both of
them,'' he called to some one in the
next room, selecting two from the
lessly on the table.
At the words vision of spring-if
spring can be imagined in a pink
morning gown with halo of sun
shiny hair-appeared in the doorway
with an expression OF pleased ex-
pectancy.
Dear old papa!" she said, dimp-
ling, as she took her letter ami
dropped into a chair-"Here's where
he forgives his angel child for being
bad and we all live happy ever AFTER"
She took the letter out of the en-
velope and unfolded it, while her hus-
band occupied himself in similar
manner
At the sight of the contents-only
few brief lines-her face length
ened with amazement and the amaze
ment changed ~ bewilderment as she
read the note, which announced with
verbal economy which was, to say
the least, pointed, that Mrs. Thomas
Staymore, having made a free and
untrammeled choice of her path in
life, was at liberty to pursue the
same without fear of molestation
from one who, nevertheless, wished
her every happiness in that life.
That was all save the curt yours
sincerely, Drayton Gladish" and
postscript--the letters of which
seemed to be expanding and con-
tracing in a watery medium-which
Informed her that her personal be-
longings had been forwarded to her
address that day.
She winked hard to keep back the
tears and then glanced at her hus-
band. only to behold that gentleman
scowlng over his letter with an ex-
preston rarely seen upon his de-
bonair countenance.
'What does yours say" she asked
with gulp, while I; flicker of inter-
est lighted up the sombcrness of her
face for an instant.
Her husband laughed ruefu,lv
Read for YOURSELF" he replied,
throwing it into her lap and picking
. up hers.
In effect it was like her own-a for
NAL and final intmation that Mr.
Staymore considered that in marry
ing the daughter of his neighbor and
inveterate enemy Drayton Gladish,
his son had committed an act so dis
loyal that any future intercourse be-
tween them would be forever i'm,
possible.
When two weeks earlier Jack Stay.
more and Rose Gladish had decided to
take matters into their own hands,
they had expected, at worst, scene,
quickly followed by forgiveness and
general reconciliations. To their
thinking that ancient quarrel which
had divided their fathers for 20 years
was nonsense. They could not take
it seriously.
So they drove blithely away one
morning and none of the friends who
saw them leave the Country club to-
gether suspected that that drive
would be described in the newspapers
next day as "a Sensation in Society,"
In New York they disappeared tenn
porarily. waiting for the parental
blessing which they confidently ex-
Pected and for cessation of atten-
tions on the. part of the reporters.
'Disinherited, by Jove," calculated
young Staymore at last, thrusting
his hands into his pockets, to the
end that he might comprehend the
situation more fully. 1T isn't the
money that I mind,'' he continued
with I. grand ai::-''we can get neat
sum for Snowflake and the auto, anc
I'll go to workout I'm fond of the
governor!" He broke Off abruptly
and stared hard at the carpet, while
Rose gulped audibly.
''The idea of papa acting $3.50 I'M
grateful" she walled, when I've al
ways been so good to him! Such in
gratitude is horrid!"
She dabbed at her face in an ag
grieved manner and did not motto.
the CLEAN of amusement in her hus
bands eyes, which, however. quicl1l,