The Union Republican., 1904-10-28

went home. humming love tune and
smiling as he rode along.
The Hymes party turned out to be
far and away the grandest Hopewell
neighborhood had ever seen. Notwlth-
standing, Major Hymes got up the
morning after with II seny, of aching
loss. He sighed all through dressing
and at breakfast swore because there
were no wafiles-only biscuit, mullins
and batter cakes. At least he said that
was the reason. Rob- with his eyes on
his plate and a general air of dreams,
smiled and waited prudently for the
storm to gather or blow over But
lightning struck him when he was
least prepared for it. Mid-meal his ia
ther turned square upon him. growing
out: whereabouts in your travels did
you leave your manners and your
senses? | think you had better go
back and try to find them"
"What's the row, governor2" Rob de-
manded innocently. The major ex-
ploded:
That's what I'd like to know. There
must be a row between you and Jean
Bascom--last night you hardly We're
civil to her, but went tagging around
after that Clayton creature"
"There's the Bascom temper-I'm
afraid it's hereditary-besides, Elsie
Clayton says she would permit the
minister to leave obey in the mar
rage SERVICE" Rob began.
His father cut him short. "If mat
tiers have gone as far as that" he said,
''just you listen to this. Unless you
lnurry to suit me, you'll find that my
will ties up things as tight as that old
simpleton, Jimmy Jackson, tried to
tie up all he left
"Why l thought you disbelieved in
the will?' Rob interrupted.
His father turned redder than ever,
but went on, pounding the table hard
between words. "Yes, sir, your wife
must please me or you'll have hard
Shedding. Elsie Clayton, indeed! Lock
at your mother, sir and be properly
ashamed of your taste"
~ have nothing against Jean Bas-
CON-" Rob began judiciously. But she
is taken up with Ben Lloyd. Then,
too. she evidently takes her fathers
side-just as l have taken yours
'Then you're a fool for your pains,
sir" the major fairly shouted. "Of
course, she takes her fathers side
that's the natural, the right thing for
a woman. But you-if you We're half
a man, you would have shown her that
you two had nothing to do with the
case. You must be bewitched with the
Clayton fried egg eyes"
"Not particularly" Rob said, mask
ing laugh with fit of coughing.
"But did make up to Jean, far enough
to find out she would have nothing to
say to me-not unless you apologized
to the squire, which ! knew was out
Of the question"
"Indeedl You had better not know
SO much" Major Hymes said wither-
ingly. "But if that's the hitch, why,
It's mighty easily Strengthened. Come
nlong with me, sir. By George, 1t
mnkes me think more than ever of
Jean! If she sticks up this way for
her father what won't she do for
husband or a son?'
Five minutes afterward they were
galloping together toward the Bascom
place. As luck would have it, Squire
Bascom met them just inside the gate
Major Hymes did not wait for a word
of welcome. Twenty yards off he roar
ed out: Say, John Bascom, I've come
to beg your pardon and ask you for
your daughter. Give 'em to me quick,
else I'll be making fool will for other
folks to quarrel over"
81 reckon I've a right to ask your
pardon, major" Squire Bascom said,
smiling and holding out his hand. But
the daughter-there you've got me.
can't speak for her."
"Oh, all we want is a chance to have
her speak for herself" the major an
swered.
Rob smiled to hear him. Down in
his heart he knew what Jean would
say.