Smyrna times., 1905-09-27

pect you to act according to orders"
After the applause ceased Hardy rose.
His speech, pithy and brilliant, was
again and again interrupted by clap
ping, and he waited for silence. At the
last he turned directly to Alidas father
and took up the last clause in his rec
concentrations.
1--WE SHALL" he said-"for l speak
also for RObertson-obey you, doctor,
as far as in us lies. But, suppOsing that
your daughters will none of us and our
homes, what then? You have coun-
seled us. 1t is therefore your duty to
uphold us in the way that never did
run smooth Will you aid and abet
us? In any such scheme have we your
cooperation and support your con-
sent?" The words, lightlye1spoken, had
still an undercurrent of serious mean
| ing. "DO you pledge us your fatherly
sanction?' He paused for a Teply. and
at a signal from Judge Payne they
rose as one man and uttered a solemn
Eve do"
A few days later DIR. Marston
brought Judge Payne home from the
chess club for a midnight lunch. The
light burned low in the library, but
passing through the dim hall they
heard sounds of mirth emanating from
the dining room. The doctor pushed
aside the portieres.
In the soft candle light Aida presid-
ed at a dainty lunch. Philip Hardy
sat opposite, and at her right William
Robertson faced Eleanor Payne. The
young folks rose gleefully.
Join usv they cried, but the doc
tor shook his head.
"The judge and have Outlived mid
night lobster salads and Welsh rabbits.
Wen have Dutch lunch in the library.
You seem to be having a good time!'
He beamed on them. MAY 1 ask if
these festivities mean anything in par
ticular?"
"Only an informal attempt to satisfy
, hunger, daddy" Aida answered. 1--WE
. have been at cards all evening"
Hardy leaned over and said to Rob
, ertson in a low tone, "As well now as
} ever; they are both in high good hu
f NOR" Both men arose, and the girls
! hardly knowing why, arose too.
i Sir" spoke Hardy, this is some
, thing rather especial. We are celebrat
: ing the consent of two fathers to tht
+ engagement os their daughters" Judg
Payne looked apprOvingly at his daugh
Y ter and Hardy, while the doctor re
o garded Aida and Robertson witt
n scarce concealed satisfaction that hi
a plan had carried so perfectly. But al
at once before the astonished parenta
II eyes an ineXplicable shifting of part
@ ners seemed to be taking place. Hard
took-Alida by the hand. Robertso
a put an arm about-Eleanor. The pa
I rental tribunal stood gasping, not trust
,r ing themselves to speak till some on
N should explain. Then William Rober
20 son, NJ D., came to the rescue.
70 Judge" he began. land doctor, w
,e as faithful Twenty-fivers, are follow
ing instructions. The other evenin
IN you, doctor, bade us establish homes
N our own with a Westerville girl
10 each You, judge, with the other
pledged us your support and consen
have also the consent of your daug
# ter whom L have wanted since "
were in college together. May hay
II her soonT' Then, before the judt
IN could reply, Hardy addressed the do
he tor:
ho Doctor, redeem your word to san
lis ton with your fatherly consent al
90 attempt of mine to marry a Weste
vile girl. l have been among you S
st months-siX minutes was enough
m. make me want Alida-and you kne
my father" The two young coupl
,lf faced the Old gentlemen. who final
ID found their tongues.
But thought
,st II wanted Philip" Aida interrul
on cd.
ad land 1 wanted WILL" added Elean
The Judge laughed.
.al, 'And they wanted you-and you do
oc. want us just at present. take it! d.
tor, where's the library and that Dut
civ lunch? / think we had better adjOu
ri, and adjust ourselves to the new orc
of things. They would have it tn
a+e own way anyhow, you know! What
,iIr you say?" For answer the old doc
or suddenly kissed his daughter. III
ba+ he pushed her toward her lover.
&c The two old men left the room
,es gether.