The Van Buren press., 1904-12-31
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! A CHANGE F;
!: OF HEART; ;
BY BELLE MANDATES
Copyright. l,o4, by Daily story Pub. Co,

nHiL LAWTON'S dark eyes wistfully
followed the fair form of the young
girl who fitted about the room. She was
bestowing all her glances and all her
little attentions upon her father, Gen.
William Thornburn. almost ignoring the
presence Of the man who adored her.
Presently a servant entered and hand
ed Miss Thornburn a card.
"Oh, it's Miss Lee. She will only
make a formal call | will be back
soon" and with lingering caress upon
her fathers bronzed cheek, she left the
room
Phil looked up disconsolately.
81 might as well confess, General that
| tried my fate with Eloise this morning
and-she has given no hope"
The generals grey eyes saddened.
rs that so. Phil? | am truly sorry
and disappointed, but Eloise is only a
child. She was startled, and doesn't
know her heart yet"
The young man shook his head dis
couragngly.
Il had no reason to believe that she
returned my love. general She has al
ways treated me nicely and courteously,
but with a good-natured tolerance"
Faint heart, Phil Try again"
No" replied Phil slowly Il don't
want to lose even her liking. | think
| will take my departure now before
she returns Your days together are so
few that | will not intrude a moment
longer
A few moments after Phil had taken
his leave, Eloise returned to the H.
brary.
Alone, papa! Where is Mr., Law
TOM"
He has gone, Eloise He asked me to
say goodnight to you for him, He said
he thought he would want our last few
days together uninterrupted"
'He is very considerate, papa. In
deed, we do! Every minute Of it,
He told me, Eloise, what passed be-
tween you and him this morning"
The girls face flushed and she looked
embarrassed.
Did he? Well aren't you glad that
am going to remain your little girl
always"
IF were to be here with you, Eloise
I'd be 10th to give you even to Phil, but
now that am ordered to the Philip
pines-toa country where | cannot take
you, it would be great relief to me
to see you the happy wife of the man
of my choice for you-the son of my
lifelong friend-a man Of honor, and to
know that your future welfare was as
sured"
ElOiso looked puzzled.
Now, papa, how absurd! | am to
be with friends and you'll be back in
Two years, and then we'll be chums to-
gether again"
my dear little girl! The fortunes
and future Of a soldier are very uncer-
tain, and you cannot know the anxiety
and responsibility OF father for his
only child who is motherless."
"Why, papa, did not know you felt
this way about It."
1T sgould give me great content.
Eloise, to go away knowing you were
the wife Of man who would give you
his love and protection as well as a
home, but If you do not care for him. It
cannot be, and we will think no more
about It."
But Eloise did think a great deal
about 1t, and naturally In thinking Of
II, she bestowed. more thought upon Phil
Lawton than she ever had before. After
dinner when the general sat down to
his cigar and evening paper she knew
he missed and wanted Phil, who had
been such a constant companion. not
only of late, but in the days when she
had been away at school and had known
him only thillgh her fathers letters.
There are times when man misses
and yearns for another man, even II
the dearest woman in the world Is
about" she thought philosophically.
She slipped from the room and dis
patched little note to Phil, telling her
father was lonesome for him and would
he not come over to the house-for
her fathers sake,
lie came promptly and she gave him
n grateful welcome The general Imme-
datcly frightened up and opened an an
mated discourse with the young man on
the question Of trusts, Eoise, sitting
THOSE WHO DO THEIR BEST.