The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1904-12-08
II r
FATHERS
w "a - BY
ALLAN p.
Copyright. 1904, by AMES
Copyright. 1901, By
Z. c. Mcclure

4 young man was in love with South
1ey's daughter Lois. The fact is note
worthy only because this particular
young man happened to be the first
whose ambitions had received serious
attention. Like wise parent, South
ley made no overt attempt to influence
her decision. Nevertheless his mind
was hard at work, because among all
the youngsters who aspired to be his
soll-in-law Robert LoclaEd was his
choice. Had Lois shared his opinion
there would have been no occasion
for the discussion now progressing In
a cool corner Of the veranda.
"But, father" she was Directing. "his
chin is so square and firm and his
mouth so hard His face is almost re.
pellent at times"
His features are rugged said
Southley, but see gentleness in them
as well as strength. Roberts worth n
dozen Of those round checked. chinlcss
boys that have been hanging around
here this summer"
But, dear daddy. how can l love a
man I'm afraid of? Why. if lie ever
commanded me to marry him Id just
have to. Oh. don't know what l do
think. Sometimes
"Then he hasn't asked you yet?"
sn;d her father.
Yes; he asked. though he looked as
If he preferred to pick me up ard run
of without word. How l ever de
MED linn l don't know, but | begged
him to wait. and he's coming at this
afternoon for his final answer
Seurhiey laid aside his cigar and
turned to regard the perplexed face
more intcntly. Daughter" he said.
you don't know men like your old
daddy. Those blue eyes of yours have
much to learn. Take a good, long look
before you send away fellow Ike
Robert Lorland.'
You do; but I'm afraid l can't. have
the feeling that if he were ever
crossed he'd be positively brutal"
You never knew him to do a
harsh or unkind thing. did you?"
mo; nor anything markedly kind or
gentle. either"
"Well, it's hard luck" he sighed.
"Superfcially, his looks are against
him"
For long while after Lois had left
him to make those changes in her ap-
pearance which she thought were es-
sential for the coming ordeal he re-
manned thoughtfully smoking, with his
eyes fixed upon the long white stretch
of road down which young Lorland
would shortly come marching to his
fate. Notified shadows Of the shelter
ing vine crept across the veranda floor
until they reached the spot the old
cat had chosen for her family's after
noon siesta. Apparently considering
shade unhealthful, she opened her eyes.
stretched and yawned, shook her Gus
tering offspring from their snug COM
fort and sauntered toward the master
OF the house. Arriving by his chair,
she gazed a moment into his preoccu-
pied face, then sprang upon his knee
and rubbed her ears against his waist
coat
"Why, Poosie," said the old gentle
man, rousing from his reverie, de
serted the nursery? For lady Of SO
many family cares your familiarity is
shocking. There! You see? That's
generally what comes of it,
One of the kittens had started to
roll down the front steps. Southley
sprang to the rescue in time to pre-
vent completion of the descent.
Poosie watched him with approval. but
In the end wished she had attend
ed to the matter herself: for. after
standing a moment with her venture
some child held thoughtfully before
him, the man suddenly tucked it UNI
der his arm and started off around the
house.
Edward" be shouted to the gar
dener. Edward, l want to borrow
your high rubber boots. And see If
you can find me small wooden box"
A few minutes before Lois re-
turned to the veranda, vision in
white. but with her white face clouded