The Chickasha daily express. (Chickasha, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1899-current, 1905-01-24

ss 7 come along Ese-weiI, no natter,
but I can't help laughing 10 think
we're calling them children. I'begin
10 think they're getting along 70 be
young folks mighty fast"
slr. Vernon started up and said hnF-
riedly. while a shade crossed his fore
head:
7 viii 90 and meet them.
what's the matter now. wonderf'
soIiloquized Tom. removing the odd af.-
fair, bali hat, half turban, 70 wipe MS
moist forehead. I'm sure there's no
nosd o meddling vith honest love
making: it's lawful for magistrate %
marry couple. and since We hain't a
parson, why Eon't Mr.. Vernon do Jest
as weIlT"
Meanwhile Alr. Vernon had taken a
path which led him mp a clih which
iutted over the water, He paused e
moment in involuntary admiration q
the scene before him.
The huge white rock Of coral forma-
ton rose out of the empowering green
ike a throne indeed. and an around
it. catching here at tiny stalk. there
Al a down-reaching branch. testooned
vines. whose brilllant-hued flowers
seemed like garlands flung AZ the feet
Of royalty. Overhead canopled the
feathered spray Of the inimitably
graceful palm tree. and below. far be-
low, foamed the surf. dashing its frothy
columns against the coral piers that sup
ported the rock. and above all spread
out the intense blue OF a trOpic skT,
arching down afar Of to meet the line
Of distant sea. Yet It waS not upon in
animate nature that Mr.. Yernon's mild
gray eye dwelt go fcndly. but
on the graceful living tablsau
the erowning charm upon the
coral rock-for there. sitting lightly
as a bird upon its perch. was
slender. willowy form. not round
enough for childhood and too aerial
for womanhcod. A thin robe OF shin
muslin. gathered by a girdle at the
waist, fell down upon the rock, hiding
with an illLS've veil such rose-tinted,
naked feet-slipped clear from the
awkward sandals Aphrodite herself
might have enyied- The round white
arm. resting careIessly on the rock.
supported ahead whose youthful grace
and loveliness no naiad's mirror ever
rivaled. The sunny riDples Of curls
overfiowed with their ring Of bronzed
gold the vine that garlanded her head;
the clear eyes shone With deeper blue
than the starry blossoms knotted IA her
breast: the sweet lips Knocked sancily
with their vivid carnation the pale rose
OF Ehe cheek And this was little Ellie!
The transformation was as marvellous
as that which changes the hard. Gull
coil Of green into the wonderful beauty
Of the newly-opened rose.
No wonder there was q look OF al
most idolatrous affection in the dark
eyes Of the handsome youth VINO re-
ciined can-lessly al her feet A sigh
escaped ar. Vernon as with newly
opened eyes he read Alright the lan-
guage Of his sons face. For ten years
had these children been his pupils:
from his hand they had received the
draughts Of knowledge. in
ais steps had they followed TO the out
skirts Of the immortal fountain Of
Science; for them had he delineated
the beautiful sights his artists soul
frank in SO eagerly and. more. than all.
rembilngly golemnly had he knelt
Fith them before the Throne OF Grace.
All his acquired gifts and natural gem
US had been exerted TO the utmost 10
atone to them for the deprivations OF
heir lot. and he their guide. their
eacter. their closest friend. had been
blind to their inner lives. and had
needed the voice Of sharp-eyed Tom to
,oint 1t out to him.
He strode a step forward. and then
,aused again, for Eleanor was speak
ng.