The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1905-07-28

you, sun: ne IuuSncd outright w C
| we-might give her Il try" he stammcr-
ed.
And so it happened that Columbia
| Farley entered the Brown family ION
| probation" and later was taken into
| full membership"
1t was on Il Saturday morning, q
| month or more after Columbia had
been received into full membership.
that the children were playing together
in the garden.
Il guess I'll go wadin' this after
| noon," John Philip announced. aunt
Rachel would just worry if l told her,
and daddy won't be home for lunch. so
l can't ask him"
I'm 'fraid you'll be lrown-ded,
dear" the little mother said anXiJusly
IN private), AN | don't believe you'd
better 60"
''pooh!" John Philip rejoined You
amt my mother. | amt had mother
since was born"
NO" she sighed, eff you had real
ly truly one l guess you'd have to
mind. Your father might get you one"
John Philip grfnned. Hes too busy"
he said, but | know one I'd like to get
Last summer we was down at Cove
inlet three weeks-daddy an mean
there was jolly nice girl there. an we
liked her awful wcll-daddy an mo
an we took her picture one day-snap-
shot mean daddy did. He's got it
yet. Come up TO his room, and I'll hunt
for it."
The children fled into the house and
UP to Mr.. Browns sitting room. Be
hind tall vase John Philip found the
object Of his search. For moment Co
lumbia ga.ed at j. with wondering
eyes. why, It's her." she shouted, with
more force than grammar. :It's my
Miss Curtis. She lives near the home.
Course she's awful nice" She gaZed
long and lovingly at the picture. Say"
she said at last, 's'pose we get her for
your mothcr!'
Thcreupon followed Il discussion of
ways and means, and it was not until
after luncheon that the committee of
John Philip. 1t was very startled
and amazed young lady who listened
to their plea. 1t was Columbia who of
fered the most persuasive argument.
'He hasn't anybody but his Aunt
Rachel and his father" she said plead
ingly, IAN he keeps your picture back
of vase, an y
stNhn Ean1NS nv MI 81 ATics
It's interrupted, her sweet face flush
ing a rose red.
why, John Philips father" Column
bia explained. Il s'pose you didn't
know bout it them"
mo, l didn't know" she said 81
didn't know" she repeated to herself
again and again.
Now you know, an won't you
come please?" 1t was John Philip
who pleaded now. Miss Curtis stoop-
ed and took his freckled little face be-
tween her slender white hands. "Pll
think of it, dear" she promised, but
it will be better not to mention your
your proposal to your father"
John Philip did not agree with her,
and that very evening he broke the
news to his unsuspecting father. Co
lumbia, with rare delicacy, had declin-
ed to be present.
Daddy" John Philip said bluntly, II
asked her-Columbia an me-"
Philip Brown looked up from his pa
per. He was n fine specimen of man.
kood-strong of body and mind, clean
Of heart and still on 1.-THE sunny side"
of forty
ASKED whom?' he said. ASKED
what?"
Miss Curtis, you know. II asked
her to be my mother"
Philip Brown sat up very straight
and stared at his small son and heir.
Don't you want herr" the little fell
low said, struggling manfully to keep
back the tears. Il said l was sure you
wanted her, same as 1 did,
What did she say" The question
came from between white lips
''She didn't know you had her pic
ture till Columbia told her She said
shed think about it, but I'd better not
tell you Id asked her to-
But John Philip was talking to the
empty air. His father was out of the
room before the last sentence was fin
ished. He had seized his hat and van
ished.
Gee" John Philip said to himself,
we've done it now, I guess-CoIum-
bia an me-"
They had. The bride and groom said
so on their wedding day. John Philips
father had suggested that the orches-
ira play Hail Columbia" while the
knot was being tied, but, strange to
say, the bride elect objected.