The Holly chieftain., 1904-06-10

into his face with questiyrng eyes.
You are nearly seventeen. Jessie and
are now woman" he continued after
a pause You belong to good fam
lily, and. God willing, you viii inherit
a modest furt3+ae. You are very heal-
riful my pet. and it is natural you
should have admirers.
Il will explain to you frankly what
has happened. | received call yes
IcTday from Mr.. Randolph Morris. In
a casual way Mr. Morris spoke Of you
and sent his compliments. He eX-
pressed regret that his family had
failed in an attempt to make your
visit TO the country NOR enjoyable.
OF course this greatly surprised me,
and when | pressed him iur particu-
lars he said he knew nothing except
that Arthur had called and that you
had refused to see him. Gen. Car
den paused
Il don't wish to see him. papa
said Jessie. with much spirit. He
aunoys me. He said he would call
Saturday and take me out riding. and
never so much as asked m" if | cared
to go or not. So | went ru visit Cot.
sin Edith, and when he called the
maid told him ! was out"
Gen. Garden looked greatly Teliey-
ed. Il am glad tnat Arthur has given
you no more serious cause for dis
| pleasure" he said. You know little OF
| business affairs, but you must know
| that Randolph Morris is powerful; a
| good business friend, and foe to be
| feared. At the present moment I
| dread to incur his displeasure. Your
| slight Of his son might be Of vast con
sequence in determining Randolph
| Morris decision in matter most
vital to our welfare, Jessie, my dar-
| ling. 1t might even" Gen. Garden
checked himself. His face was drawn
with distress which Jessie was
| quick to perceive, though not to com
! prchend.
Il do understand, papa. dear"
| said Jessie. Il will write and ask Mr.
| Morris to call. and will treat him just
as if nothing had happened. But J
/ know l can never like him. and don't
| have to try do l, papa"
Certainly not, my pet said Gen.
| Garden. He kissed his daughter affec-
tionateIy. and seemed greatly pleased
| On Sunday Jessie wrote a note to Ar
thur Norris Two days later he called
and Jessie received him in the old
| fashioned parlOr Both ignored the
| incident Of the preceding week, and
| Jessie accepted his invitation to a re-
| ception in the Morris mansion for Sat
urday evening, and went under her
| fathers escort.
Two weeks passed, during which the
! rich New Yorker was a frequent visit
or at the Bishop farmhouse. One even
| ing John called when Arthur Morris
was present. and Jessie introduced
them Arthur treated him with that
! its vanQuishod.
BY the way, Mr.. Burt" said Ar
| thur Morris, as he carclessly rolled a
! cigarette, Miss Garden has accepted
| my invitation to attend tO-mOrrow's $
| Clambake near Cohasscr | must &C
| company a party cf New York friends
| who will spend the night on my yacht,
and attend the bake. We must start
| early so ! cant offer TO escort MisS
| Garden. If | may presume on your
acquaintance with her. | shall ask
you to drive her to the grove, where
! will meet You with my friends
Il shall be more than pleased if
Miss Garden will accept my escort 4"
said John.
certainly, | will" laughed Jessie.
Arthur Morris remained a few min
utes longer; then he 2aiIy bade Jessie
adieu. shook hands with John Burt.
| and rode away.