Alaska sentinel., 1903-01-01
IN DEFIANCE or AUTHORITY
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7 ACK,' observed the Colonel, let o ting his hand hover irresolutely
 - over the chess board, has it ever occurred to you that it would be all extremely nice arrangement if those 1 two children of ours would fall in love with each other? You and 1 are get ting along in years-eh. old friend?- and I'd like to see Lila settled In a l home of her own before the order comes for taps. There is no one In the world l would rather give my daughter 1 to than Billie; the boy is white clear through-he could scarcely be anything different, though, and his fathers son. l can't imagine why they don't con i tlnued the Colonel. argumentatlvely they like each other all right, and are always together-riding, playing golf or something-but never a thought of 1 building nest of their own. Just listen to that, will you?" he broke off l Through the library doorway came l the blithe notes of a rollicking duet, sung by two happy. care-free young voices. A tender smile blossoned on l Lawyer Reefs clean-shaven lips. Bless their hearts,' he said, softly. Nothing would give me greater satis- l faction or happiness, Phil, than to have what you mentioned come to pass. I've had the same thought myself, and hint l cd at something of the kind to Billie i once"
 ',Wellg' said Col. Bradlee, tentative ly.
 ''The young rascal laughed at me; said the idea was absurd; that while Lila and he were the best of chums, and all i that, there was Do thought of any non sense of that sort between thenr Billie 1 hintei," went on the lawyer, ruefully, that l had better stick to chess, and | let understanding alone"
 Lila appears to be of about the same opinion," remarked the Colonel, dryly. 'She called me an old goose to be thinking of such things. I call 1t flying in the face of Providence"-blocki an unexpected 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 1 Colonel, with a reminiscent grin. "Of course 1 do. The boys used to say that when Ben wanted that mule to go anywhere he'd lead him in the opposite direction, yell Git up.' at him, and old Caesar would wheel and run the other way like d deer"
 Young human nature and mule na- ture are a good deal similar some times" remarked the lawyer. signiii- cantly, leaning back in his chair. Vague comprehension began to dawn on Colonel Bradlee's countenance. Do you think We might work something of the sort, JackY' he queried, eagerly. I'd do most anything to bring it about, 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, prepare to have your innermost feel ings outraged. l am going to insult you-For goodness sake, Phil,' he | whispered, as he perceived a look of blank astonishment 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 ta- ble with a bank. Colonel Bradlee" he cried loudly, angrily, ''this is not the first time l have caught you trying to l take an unfair advantage, but it's the last game I'll play with a-a-s Something choked h.s speech, but the Colonel rose to the situation like a hero. Leave my house." he roared, you insulting-er-er-pe pettifoggerv' he wound up, triumphantly.
 There was a sudden rush into the li- brary, and dlsmayed chorus, Father! Colonel Brallee"
 "You. too, sir"' yelled the Colonel. Don't you dare set foot in my house again! Lila-if I know of your having anything more to do with the son of John Reed. I'll-Tll-disown you! They're pair of"
 Billie heeu Sraspeu ms 1atners arm. Come. father" he said, proudly. "Col- onel Bradlee has forgotten that he is a gentleman"
 As the pair marched stiffly erect through the library door the lawyer cautiously turned his head; but Lila's eyes were too full of tears to intercept the deliberate wink he shot at the man ba hoJ co ha saIy ipSulto1
 They'll never consent" sad Lila, dolefully. She was standing with Billie Reed behind the grape arbor in her fathers yard week later. and even Il disinterested spectator would have needed no second glance to have shown