Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1903-03-17
A CHANGE OF FRONT.
A STORY.
W. r. Rose. In Cleveland Plaindealer

The gate clicked as the girl let !,
swing behind her and turned towards
the young man who was advancing
| through the dusky shadows of the ear
ly evening.
George" she quickly said, you =
you mustn't come here any more. Fa-
Their is very angry, and there will be
trouble unless you stay away"
The young man laughed.
That's nonsense" he said, "arrant
nonsense. Did your stepfather think he
could brighten me? How am l to see
you unless come here? Pooh, pooh, foI
your fiery relative. I'll say 1t to his
| face ii he attempts his high handed
ways with me. Blu. there DEAR don't
| you worry Come, Well take little
stroll, and let steppapa nurse his wrath
until we come back.
you don't talk seriously, George,
said the girl Father has very nasty
! temper, and when he is angry ne Is
quite beside himself He wouldn't hes
itate at such ines to do you any injury
| that lay in his power
~ will be right there at any time
my dear girl, laughed the young man
..and fully awake to all the Interesting
details. But. come, lets talk OF some
thing more pleasant. What further de-
lays are you planning
IL am afraid to speak to my IA
Their, George" she answered. I'm
such a miserable coward.
Then the young man softly whistled
AS they slowly moved down the deeply
shady sidewalk.
/ "Is that the cause of the delay?" he
asked. well. well, this makes 1t all
the more imperative for me TO speak &c
! your father at an early date-an ex-
tremely early date"
You must be so careful, George
she said. "Conciliate him first, before
you ask him any favors. Don't take
any chances dear"
| He laughed again and siyly causn'
her hand and pressed 1t.
MY dear girl" he said, you as
ltress yourself needlessly. l am quite
familiar with the bad men and wom-
an who are out looking for trouble, sc
that there is nothing terrifying in the
outlook. OF course / understand your
tepfathers position in the matter
He can't bear the idea of losing you. IL
would be an expensive matter 10 re-
.vlace YOU. Your stepfather is de-
cidedly selfish person, and 1t would Dc
quite wrong for us to humor him.
ooh. George" said the girl, you
will talk SO wildly! But, there, you
must 20 back now. If stay out any
longer he Will miss me-"
.Wouldnt that be dreadful! laugneo
the young man. Wonder what ne VIII
do when he misses you for GOOD ana
| all? Now, mark my words. Ihere Y
be no room in our little home for that
Istepfather of yours. That's one thing
| l must insist upon"
| The girl paused a little way from the
gate.
Now go, George, dear" she MUIR
INJURED, but he shook his head.
"rm not ready yet" he said. 1T
CRATES on me little to be served as II
! I were a criminal. I fancy l am quite
good enough to be treated with ordi-
nary decency in any mans home -
more especially the home that shelters
the girl of my choice
Yes, I know. DEAR" Tie girl said.
They were leaning Oh the gate. the
l S~SAAA9
| her.
"say another word. Anna" he
laughed, "and l will march right into
the lions den.'
| There was a heavy sep behind the
girl and harsh voice startled them.
"Ah, are you there?" 1t said menac-
ingly.
III you mean me-" laughed the young
man. II certainly am nere-five feet
ten of me-"
! STAND aside said the newcomer to
the girl Get into the house. I've
something to say to this young spark
that 1T may not be pleasant for you to
hear"
Don't, father" said the girl in plead
i ing tones.
He waved her aside.
"Go, Anna" said the young man, Il
| have something to say TO your father
that he might not want you to hear Go,
dear
The girl slowly drew back and went
up the porch steps.
you have high and mighty way
about YOU" said the older man, that
needs combing down bit"
I'VE all need little disciplining at
times" said the other; hut still hard
lily think you are the man for the job
| this time, Mr.. Jim Maitland"
II could break you in two and fling
you into the street." growled the older
man.
He was burly man with a heavy
jaw, a red face and thick gray hair.
| The young man looked him over with
a critical eye in the fast waning light.
You would find me a somewhat diff
icult proposition to handle" he said.
even If you do have the advantage of
weight. But here he quickly added as
the older man contemptuously shifted,
there is nothing to be gained by
wrangling out here in the street like
two fishwomen. Let us go into the house
and talk this thing over like men,"
The burly man stared at the young
fellow.
Very WE'LL" he said, come in. Make
the most of it. 1t will be the last
time"
do you know. said the young man
Tightly as he followed the other, do
you know that I'm not Sc sure Of that
The older man. pushed the door open
as the younger man followed. finding