Waterbury evening Democrat., 1904-08-13

looked up at her inquiringly.
 Well, I don't like the way Lydia ia
 doing at all replied the lady.
 Whats she done now?' The major
 spoke with just a little irritation, for
 he was interested in the political news
 he had been reading.
 She hasn't done anything that's the
 trouble" answered Mrs. Cranston. If she only would do and be like she was in Richmond wouldn't care, but she's as different as can be-
 Why, I'm sure the child seems well enough to me- grumbled the major.
 Well enough? She's the picture of
 health. But are you blind? Can't you
 see an inch before your nose? Don't you remember how she cried when we moved away from Richmond, and all the visits she promised Kitty Cosby and the other girls back there? Then you
 remember how she moped about the first month down here, and the fun she
 made of this place and the people But
 now look at her. She's tickled to death
 over everything here. What do you think it means, sir ?''
 ''Oh, she was sick and tired of that silly social set up there,,' said the ma jor, "and this simple, healthy life here in the mountains agrees with her, as 1t
 has with me and you. never knew
 what good appetite or a pleasant nights sleep was till r."
 aOh, do dry up!'' Mrs. Cranston sat down by him. "You are as blind as bat. Don't you know Lydia never was that way till George Buckley got to coming here and bringing her books and papers and going out with her."
 ''Stopw Cranston's brow was clouded over. Don't insult your own chiId.s ' He stood up, his short legs quivering with excitement '.Do you think I'd let that man come hererhe, son of a convicted thief-if dreamed why, I'd shoot the top of his head off if he dared-ohg'
 There is no use waking up the serv- ants out in the yard said Mrs. Gran ston In tone modulated to that she wanted him to use. We don't want any bloodshed; what we want is com mon sense. don't think there is much danger so far. Girls will often allow themselves to enjoy the admiration of men they would not dream of marry ing, and Lydia has too much family pride to think of encouraging him to any serious extent but 1t is we'll to take time by the forelock. was against letting him come here at all, the religious folks in the place for us to try to establish social lines when he stood so well, and"-
 "I'll send her off tomorrowl'' cried the major, still excited, his voice rising high and cracking.
 No, you won't unless you really want to drive her the wrong way said Mrs Cranston. I've seen many unhappy, mismated marriages made through that stupid course, and I've always said I'd act differently if 1t came to me. Lydia would get as head strong as bull if we showed her that we were trying to drive her, and oppo- sition naturally makes a girl think more of man who is unfortunate. No, we must simply go on as if we never imagined she could bemean us by marrying man Of that kind. She's not fool; she may admireS George Buckley and be sorry for him In his trouble, but she'll think several times l before she marries him if we simply l go on as if we are trusting her to pro tect our family name" 1 The major sat down. 'I guess you are right he said more calmly, land | I'm not really afraid when think l about her pride and all she has in her favor Why. she could take her pick I of the whole country. Governor Tel l fare is simply crazy about her an has l plenty of money. Do you suppose
 Lydia-or any girl, as for that--could resist the temptation to be the mistress of the executive mansion on Peachtree ] street and lead the society of Atlanta l to marry penniless bookkeeper in a l grain warehouse and the son of - Shucks, if she had it in her. I'd disown ! herY'
 "Oh, she's all right" smiled Mrs. ! Cranston, as If he had forced the ab- l surdity of her fears down upon her l by his warm words, but we must handle her most carefully. I've tried l making fun of her country beau as always call him to her. but I've never
 been able to make out how she took 1t. She'd die before she'd let anybody
 know how she felt about a matter of
 that kind I'll tell you what I'm going
 to do. She has invited Kitty Cosby to pay her a visit, and when Kitty
 comes I'm going to get her to help me.
 She's always had great influence over l Lydia, an Kitty is blue blooded to the l bone. I'll coach her how to act, and
 she will hold Lydia in check an keep me posted
 The major took up his paper. 'T rather admire the fellows way, z he said frankly. eI'm sure be doesn't overstep himself; he hasn't been here so often since his trouble, and that looks like he had some idea of the eternal fitness of things"
 No, that's true,' admitted Mrs. Cranston, "and, really, I'm quite sure there has never been an intimate un- derstanding between them, and if we play our cards right there won't be- Tho n no iap 1.csJ1rond 11is roa dfrp and