Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-12-09

concerned, and she was not again ap-
cached in the matter
Her father continued to Joke about 1T,
and few weeks later, when they were
alone, referred to 1t in a way which she
knew by experience was merely feint
that concealed some serious purpose. Men
or Porters age are usually clumsy In deal
ing with their own children, and Porter
was no exception When he had anything
OF weight on his mind to discuss with Eve
I, Ign. he brooded over it for several days
before attacking her His manner with
men was easy, and he was known down
town as a good buffer; but he stood not a
little in awe of his daughter.
Il suppose things will be gay here this
winter" he said, as they sat together on
the porch.
About the same old story, I imagine.
The people and their ways don't seem to
have changed much"
You must have some parties yourself.
Better start them up early. Get some of
the college girls out, and turn 1t on strong"
We'll. I shan't want to overdo it. 1
don't want to be a nuisance to you, and
entertaining isn't as easy as it looks''
It'll do me good, too" he replied. He
| fdgeted in his chair and played with his
hat, which, however, he did not remove,
but shifted from one side to the other,
smoking his cigar meanwhile without TAX
ing 1T from his mouth He rose and walked
out to one of his sprinklers which had been
placed too near the walk and kicked it Off
into the grass. She watched him with a
twinkle in her eyes and then laughed
What Is it. father?' she asked, when he
| came back to the porch.
What's what?" he replied, with assumed
irritation. He knew that he must now face
the NJ usic. and grew composed at once
Wen, It's this" with sudden decision
Yes, knew 1t was something" she said
still laughing, and not willing to make it
too easy for him.
You know the knights Of Midas are
quite an institution here-boom the town,
idea is to get the country people in to
81 end their money. Lots of tom foolishness
about ft-swords and plumes and that kind
or rubbish but we all have to go irr for 1t.
Local pride and so on"
Yes; do you want me to Join the
knights?'
mo. not precisely. But you see. they
nave ball every year in connection with
the IestlVal, with queen and maids of
honor. l guess you've never seen one of
tEese things, as they have them in Oc-
tcber, and you've always been away at
school, NOW the committee on entertain
ment has been after me to see If you'd he
queen of the ball this year"
"Oh!" ominously
Just hold on minute" He was wholly
at ease now. and assumed the manner
, wnich ne mad found effective in dealing
with obstreperous customers of his bank
m free to say that 1 don't like the idea
OF this myself particularly. There's lot
or publicity about it and you know 1 don't
t'ho eiiaS--ouu the newspapers make an
awful fuss. But you see 1t isn't wise for
us'-he laid emphasis on the pronoun-"to
set up to be better than other people.
Now" with twinkle in his eve. '.you
TUT ed down this school board business the
other day, and said you wanted to have a
gccd time. just like other girls. and I
reckon most of the girls in town would he
ttckled at a chance like this"
And you want me to do 1t, father7 Is
that what you mean? But It must he
perfectly awful-the crowd and the foolish
mummery."
well, there's one thing sure, youll never
have to do it a second time" Porter smiled
reassurtngly.
But 1 haven't said I'd do it once.
fether"
I'D like to have you; I'd like II very
much. and should appreciate your doing ii.
But don't say anything about it." Some
callers were coming up the walk, SO the
natter was dropped. Porter required to
the subject again next day, and EVELYN
saw that he wished very much to have her
take part IN the carnival, but the idea did
not grow pleasanter as she considered it
1t was quite true, as she had told her
father, that she wanted to enjoy herself
after the manner of other young women.
and without constant reference to her adj
vantages, as she had heard them called.
but the thought of q public appearances in
what she felt to be very ridiculous func-
ton did not please her. On the other hand
her father rarely asked anything Of her,