The Billings gazette. [volume] (Billings, Mont.) 1896-1919, 1904-12-27
"A FOXY FATHER
TOriginal. |

Louis said the elder Olmsted,
Winifred loves you"
me, father?"
Eyes, you. You have been very stu
pid not to notice it,"
Winifred Howe had been adopted by
MI. and Mrs. Olmsted and treated as a
daughter. Louis pondered for awhile
at his fathers information, then asked:
what do you want me to do, ia
ther?'/
what your inclination prompts"
After more bordering Louis said:
"Winifred is very lovely. Perhaps we
shall make a match in time"
Fish easily caught are not considered
desirable, and Louis treated his foster
sister indifferently, while she, poor girl,
waited patiently for a loving word.
Louis was spending his vacation at
home before his last year in the law
department of his alma mater and in
the autumn returned to his studies. On
his departure the family parted with
him at the door, Winifred among them.
When it came her turn to clasp his
hand she did so without pressure and
with averted eyes. Mr.. Olmsted, Sr.,
accompanied his son to the carriage.
but made no mention Of what Louis
knew was a thwarted desire.
Some time after Louis return to the
law school he received a letter from his
father containing the following para
graph:
You may remember that l desired a
match between you and Winifred. This
was because I wished at my death that
YOU should inherit the homestead and my
other property without dividing it. y7ini-
fred, however, has assured me hat she
will in no. case accept any legacy from
me, and I think she Will marry a young
man who has recently made her ac-
ouaintance poor, but very promising.
Therefore you need not trouble yourself
any further about her and consider my
implied request withdrawn.
A few days after the receipt of this
letter Louis Olmsted appeared one
morning at home. His father mani
tested surprise at seeing him and ask
ed him what brought him back in term
time.
"This matter of Winifred. q You see,
father, it places me in rather an I'M
pleasant pOSlllOu. 1 appear Go OAN "AS
doesn't fall in with your desires, as &C
cepting all of a fortune of which Winl-
fred should have half and of turning
away a girl who o assured me loved
me-"
"You are borrowing trouble, my boy,
though your feelings. do you credit
You have nothing to worry about. we
can't force Winifred to accept what
she will not accept, and since you don
want her l know you are not a dog IL
the manger' to keep any one else from
getting her. ,s
"Who is the-fellowY"
"What fellow" #
"She's going to marry"
ooh, have no authority from her t.
speak of that. It's only a matter O.
observation with me- ST.
"You may be mistaken"
Certainly"
perhaps you We're mistaken Whel
you told me that Winifred was in low
with me-"
"Quite likely"
..You must certainly be wrong in on
case or the other"
That's a logical deduction. Sc
that you're profiting by your studies
You'll make an excellent lawyer"
Louis was walking back and fortf
evidently much dissatisfied with tn
situation.
"Where is Winifredv
"She's away at present"
"Awayy'
"Certainly. l said so"
"Where?"
ION a. visit to her Aunt Caroline"
Louis knew that this was a days jou
ney. He muttered something betwee
his teeth.
Come, LOUIS" said his father, 'yo
have lone very wrong to leave yor
studies. You must go back at once"
A time table was produced. and
was found that a night train woul
leave in half an hour. The young ma
would just have time to reach 1t. b
babe his father a sullen goodby an
started for the train. Mr.. Olmste
stood looking down the street aft
him.
"Goodw he muttered, going into tt
house. "He can't go back to collet
that way"
The next day Winifred received wol
that her foster brother was waiting
see her in the drawing room.
"Why, LOUIS she said, surprise
.swhat brings you here? Anything Il
matter at home"
'Matter? I'm afraid I'm too late"
''Too late for what?"
ITO tell you that l love you n wa
you to be my wife"
Winifred stood gazing first at hi
then at the floor. Louis put his ar
about her and. drawing her to hi
kissed her. He was filled with a wi
Joy when he found that she did n