The Somerset reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1868-1909, 1905-09-14
TO
ORDERS
BY JOANNA SINGLE

+ Copyright, 1905, by j. o. Loizeaux +
/. + :. i. i. \ +
He kissed her again Then he held
her off and looked at the sweet face
with the pride of new possession. Her
eyes fell beneath his glance
Aida, when did you begin to love
me- She twisted saucily from him.
II think l won't tell. That l do
should satisfy you"
Yes; it should-aad it doesn't l
want to know all about 1t. Why in the
world should you love me? What
made yout"
We'll, for one thing, you are very
nice-in your way" Her tone was de-
mure. And father as good us said
mustn't. When you first came here he
and | were downtown and met you"
And on sight my heart got down
for you to walk onl l remember that
first time" He drew her to a seat be-
side him on q log in the wood adjoin-
ing the links where they were suppos-
ed to be playing golf. What did your
father say?'
Il asked who you were and was in
formed that you were the new lawyer
good, but hopelessly young = and -
and
"Impecunious," Philip Hardy sup
piled. Guilty, your honor. What
could he expect of a new lawyer? And
l can't help being young"
And he remarked on your good
looks"
Naturally" said Philip modestly
'IIe has good taste. I'm glad he likes
his future son-in-law. But why else
did you like meT
well, father was saving me for my
third cousin, Will Robertson. who is
coming soon to practice with him. OF
course father thinks | don't know his
little scheme. And them saw you
and objected more than ever to being
saved up for a mere cousin, who prob
ably wants me as little as | want
him"
Your father needn't worry. l knew
Robertson at college He Is engaged to
Eleanor Payne and wants to get into
the good graces Of her father" Aida
gasped.
well! And I almost hated Eleanor
because l thought you We're in love
with her! Father thinks SO"
1T WAS you. l kept with her to
avoid the temptation to tell you that
loved you, for l had no right to offer
you-nothing. And here | ann | can
give you a little home-nothing like
your father's-and l think | can make
you happy. Will you come?' She
leaned her cheek TO his.
Yes" she answered simply, II will
come He expressed his satisfaction
with silent effectiveness. Then he
asked:
when shall tell your father?"
"Oh, Phil! He will never consent.
Don't ask him YETI
81 said tell him. not ask him. dear
Does he approve my supposed passion
for Eleanor Payne? Yes? Then If he
loved his neighbor as himself he'd be
quite as willing TO have me for his
own son-in-law as to sacrifice Judge
Payne. So I'm not to tell him2"
Get better acquainted with him first
You know he's president of the Tween
ty-fyers!"
yes, and of the bank and the golf
club and the improvement league, and
for all | know, the kindergarten"
Don't try to be funny It's the most
exclusive club In Westeryile You
ought to be honored by being elected
to membership"
81 am. Initiation comes in a week
or two. l must try to win the doc
tors favor"
well, follow Eleanor conspicuously
not me. We must 20. It's too dark
even to pretend to play golf"
Philip left his betrothed at the gate
of her home. AS he swung happily
down the street he overlook Eleanor
and as be bent to tell her the JOY that
had befallen him they met Alida's
father, Or. Marston and old DIR. Hayes
Fine chap, young Hardy; glad to
have him in the club but I'm thankful
to Miss Payne for keeping him at her
heels. He is dangerously attractive and
| was afraid Aida would take a fancy
to him. Her mother and | have al
ways wanted her to marry Robertson.
When he comes he can look after his
own interests"
A week passed. Aida and Philip
met often at social functions and Mt
the home OF Eleanor, to whom Hardy
was apparently devoted. Robertson
came, was voted into the club and fol
lowed In Alidas wake, to the joyful
expectancy of her father.
Initiation night brought great fes-
tivities to the club. The two new can
didates were subjected to the Gus
tomary torture, but they bore 1t with
admirable stoicism and were Mt length
released
At the banquet table the gayety ran
high. wit and satire ruled, but with
the toasts came solemnlty, whether
real or mock the new men could not
discover Pledges and responses be-
came more and more funereal. Final
" Or. Marston, Alldas father rose
from his place and as president Of the
club pledged the health happiness and
I