The Montgomery advertiser., 1904-01-24
Our Daily Short Story

1 this evening. as usual? think perhaps you may have your answer then" The major lifted one of Mrs. Lorrimer's s l slender hands to his lips lowing over it in couFtiy old way that had come down to him from his forbears.
 T thank you." he said simply. 'T leave you to plead my cause with AGin- nie-and don't neglect to tell her. please. that I think very highly of that younE fellow Frank Drew-very highly indeed" :"
 ''Now I wonder what difference that makes" unused Mrs. Lorrjmer. watehlEa the figure of the major as he marched along down the pretty rose garden. and over the stretch of sidewalk and up the velvet lawn that lay in front of his own door. There was no answer to her Ques- ton. but she was still strainiug her eyes toward that strip of lawn when she be. came conscious that a tSrl in a garden hat was stroiiing ieisurely in from the further corner of the garden. Mrs. LOrI- mer swiftly and consciously fled from the window back toward the table. As the girl entered the room Mrs. Lorrimer was turning the key to her desk
 Now one of the disadvantages of mak- ing chum and playmate of ones only daughter is that one must have no sec rets from her. Minnie. who had long lost all the keys to her belonging, regarded her mother with frank suspicion. What are you locking up in that desk ?" she demanded sternly. Christmas is three months of. It can't be things for Christmas" .r 'It-it doesn't matter" said Mrs. Lor- Timer. c. little haltingiy--after which she became very cheerful. T have the great est thing to tell you. Minnie! You are going to be so happy over 1t.
 T shall get a new key and lock up my desk" said Minnie, refusing to be apr. peased. And then you'N be simply wild because have secrets from you"
 Listen. Minnie!" said Mrs. LoFrimcr, taking away the garden hat which Miu- nie was swinging by ono ribbon Only think, dear-the major is in love with youl Isn't that beautiful? He wants yeu to be his wife. Think of that!--sueh great. good man as he is-and your fu- turs all settled"
 Minnie drew herself up as far as her | five feet of height would allow and looked at her mother with sparkling eyes 'He must be ipsane"' she cried I marry that old man? Why, mamma, l am astonished at you!'
 "oId! He is in the prime of Iife!" re- torted her mother petulantly. "I forbid you to send any insulting message to such a man. He has honored you by selecting you as the object Of his affections" And then Minnie iaushed and perched | herself on the end of the study table. "I don't care much for honors." she said. tossing her wiiIfui head
 l "He is very fond of you--he has told
 me &C.," pleaded Mrs. Lorrinaer. raorS gently now. but with a pslsr face. Think what that means. Minnie--from a man like that"
 "So is Frank very fond of me" retorled the unmoved Minnie. And think what that meansv'
 "Frank! that immature boy!" cried ! Mrs T.orrinner indienantIv.
 He's a year older than papa was wher
 YOU were married" said Minnie. flushing
 and dimplinR at her mother.
 ''You may go to your room. Minnie
 said Mrs. Lorrlmer with dignity IL Wai
 the first time such all order had been ;S
 sued to the young lady on tho table sinc'
 she could remember. and she took 1t al
 joke. ..-..,.,
 T shall go," she cried tragIcally, "ant