The Cairo bulletin., 1904-08-24
He r
IA THEIRS
WAY >,
ALLAN r.
a"pNseM, 1901 Nv AMES
COPYRIGHT, 1901, by
4. q. Mcclure

n worthy only because th. particular
young man happened to I.e 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 asplred 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
cool corner of the veranda.
But, father she was ohjecting, "hls
chin Is so square and firm and his
mouth so hard. His face is almost re-
! peilent at times"
i Ills features are rugged" said
Sontlley, but | see gentleness in them
as well as strength. Roberts worth n
i dozen Of those round checked, chiness
boys that have been hanging around
here this summer"
but, dear daddy, how can | love q
| man I'm afraid Of? Why. IL he ever
commanded me to marry him I'd Just
have to. Oh, don't know what | do
think Sometimes''
Then he hasn't asked you yet?"
said her father.
Yes: he asked, though he looked az
! IL he preferred to pick me up and run
of without word How | ever de-
| MED him | don't know. but | begged
him to wait and he's coming at 5 this
afternoon for his final answer"
Southley laid aside his cigar and
turned to regard the perplexed face
more ntently Daughter" he said.
you don't know men like your old
daddy. Those blue eyes of yours have
much to learn. Take good. long look
before you send away fellow like
Robert L0rland."
Really, wish / could see him as
you do; but I'm afraid | cant. | have
the feeling that If he were ever
crossed he'd be positively brutal"
You never knew him to do
harsh or unkind thing, did you?"
NO; nor anything markedly kind or
gentle. either"
well, 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 yeranda floor
until they reached the spot the old
cat had chosen for her familys after
noon siesta. Apparently considering
shade unhealthful. 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,
she gaZed n moment into his preoecu-
pied face, then sTang 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, bat
In the end wished she had attend
ed to the matter herself; for. after
standing a moment with her venture
some child held thonghtfully before
him, the man suddenly tucked II UNI
der his arm and started off around the
house.
Edward" he shouted to the gar
dener, Edward. want to borrow
your high rubber boots. And see IL
you can find me a small wooden box"
A few minutes before Lois re-
turned to the veranda, vision in
white, but with her white face clouded
with indecision. Il almost wish /
hadn't told you, father" said she. "Be-
iott thul bdh my huibu hldut UP W
send him away. Now don't know
what shall do. And he's so master
full that If | show the slightest hesl-
tation he's sure TO make me do as he
wants. Won't you stay and help mer'
Her father did not answer He was
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 tor be
Hes too far away TO make out who
he Is" she replied indiferently.
The unknown had halted and taken
stand beside the road with his back
toward them. Something in the field
mad attracted his attention.
Lets see what he is looking at"
'sid Southley, as he handed Lois pair
II field glasses and took another pair
or himself.
Without stopping to wonder how
hey happened TO be so ready nj hand.
he girl received the binoculars and
eyeled them toward the figure on the
Dad. Judging from his dress the man