The morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1899-1930, 1904-12-29

you himself, he's ready 10 do mans
part TO help you get me-"
Then the three fell talking all al
once II was late afternoon when Rob
went home, hummlng love tune and
smiling as he rode along.
The Hymes party turned out 10 be
far and away the grandest Hopewell
neighborhood had ever seen. Notwith'
standing. Major Hymes got up the
morning after with u sense Of aching
loss, lie sighed all through dressing
and at breakfast swore because there
were no wafiies-only biscuit, mullins
and batter cakes. AZ least he said that
was the reason. Rob, with his eyes on
his plate and general air OF dreams,
smiled and waited prudently for the
storm to gather or blow over But
lightning struck him when he was
least prepared for II. Mid.mcal his IA.
ther turned square upon him. growing
out; Whereabouts in your travels did
you leave your manners and your
sensess think you had better 40
back and try to find them" =
whats the row. governorf" Rob de-
manded innocently. The major ex.
ploded.
That's what I'd like to know, There
must be row between You and Jean
Bascom-last night You hardly were
civil to her, but went tagging around
after that Clayton creature"
There's the Bascom temper-I'm
afraid it's hereditary besides, Elsie
Clayton says she would permit the
minister to leave obey In the mar.
rlage service" Rob began.
His father cut him short. "If mat.
ters have gone as far as that" he said,
lust you listen to this Unless you
marry to suit me, you'll find that my
win ties up things as tight es that old
simpleton. Jimmy Jackson. tried TO
tie up all he left
"Whyl thought you disbclleved In
the willY' Rob interrupted.
His father turned redder than ever.
but went on. pounding the table hard
between words. Yes. sir. your wife
must please me or you'll have hard
shedding. Elsie Clayton. indeed Look
at your mother. sir. and be properly
ashamed Of your taste"
II have nothing against Jean Bas.
CON-" Rob began judiciously. But she
Is taken up with Ben Lloyd. Then,
too, she evidently takes her fathers
side-just as I have taken yours
'sThen you're a fool for your pains,
sir" the major fairly shouted. "of
course, she takes her fathers side
that's the natural, the right thing for
a woman. But you-if you were half
a man. you would have shown her that
you two had nothing to do with the
case. You must be bewitched with the
Clayton fried cgg eyes"
"Not particularly" Rob said. mask.
ing a laugh with a ft Of coughing. |
But did make up to Jean, far enough
to find out she would have nothing to
say TO me-not unless you apologiEed
to the squire, which ! knew was out
Of the question"
Indeed You had better not know
80 much," Major Hymes said wither.
Ingly. "But II that's the hitch, why. |
It's mighty easily Strengthened. Come
along with me, sir. BY George, II
makes me think more than ever Of
Jeanl II she sticks up this way for
her father what won't she do for
husband or sonT"
Five minutes afterward they were
galloping together toward the Bascom
place. As luck would have 1t, Squire |
Bascom met them just inside the gate. |
Major Hymes did not wait for word
of welcome. Twenty yards of he roar
ed out: "Say, John Bascom, I've come
to beg. your pardon and ask you for
your daughter. Give 'em to me quick,
else I'll be making fool will for other
folks to quarrel over"
Il reckon I've right to ask your
pardon, major" Squire Bascom said,
smiling and holding out his hand. But
the daughter-there you've got me.
,an't speak for her"
ooh, all we want Is chance to have
ler speak for herself" the major an
,wered.
Rob smiled to hear him. Down In
his heart he knew what Jean would
say.