Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1904-08-31
He x
FATHER'y
WA y BY
m
BY
ALLAN p.
AMES
COPYRIGHT. 1901. bp
u q. .Mrflilre


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
son-in-law Robert Lorland 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 yeranda.
But, father" she was objecting. "his
chin is SO square and firm and his
mouth so hard. His face Is almost re-
pelent at times"
His features are rugged said
Southley, but I see gentleness in them
as well as strength. Roberts worth
dozen Of those round checked. chihIess
boys that have been hanging around
here this summer"
But, dear daddy. how can | love a
man I'm afraid Of? Why. if he ever
commanded me TO marry him I'd just
have to- Oh. | don't know what do
think. Sometimes"-
''Then lie hasn't asked you YETI"
said her father
Yes: he asked. though he looked as
If he preferred TO pick me up and run
off without word How | ever de-
MED him | don't know. but | begged
him to wait, and he's coming at this
afternoon for his final answer"
Southley laid aside his cigar and
turned to regard the perplexed face
more intently. 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 like
Robert Lorllnd''
Really, wish | could see him as
you do; but I'm afraid | can't. have
the feeling that II he We're ever
crossed he'd be positively brutal"
you never knew him TO do
harsh or unkind thing. did your"
mo: nor anything markedly kind or
gentle, either"
We'll. it's hard luck" he sighed.
Specifically, his looks are against
him.
For long while after Lois had left
him to make those changes in her APP
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 unhenlthful. she opened her eyes.
stretched and yawned, shook her clus-
tering offspring from their snug com
fort and sauntered toward the master
of the house. Arriving by his chair.
SIZE 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
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 a 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 un-
der his arm AMI started off around the
house.
"I4dward." he shouted to the gar
dener, Edward, want to borrow
your high rubber boots. And see if
you can find me n small wooden box"
A few minutes before Lois re
turned to the yeranda, vision in
white, but with her white face clouded
with indecision. II almost wish |
hadn't told you, father" said she. BE
fore that l had my mind made up TO
send him away. Now ! don't know
what ! shall do. And he's so master
full that If show the slightest hest
tation he's sure TO make me do rs he
wants. Won't you stay and help me?'
Her father did not answer, lie was
standing at the end of the porch watch
ing some one down the road. Lois went
to his side and with a hand on his
shoulder followed his gaze.
Wonder what that chaps up TOP he
remarked.
Hes too far away 10 make out who
he is" she replied indifferently.
The unknown had halted and taken a
stand beside the road with his back
oward them Something in the field
bad attracted his attention.
Lets see what he Is looking at
said Southley, as he handed Lois pair
Of field glasses and took another pair
for himself
Without stopping to wonder how
they happened to be so ready at hand,