The Washington herald., 1906-11-25

and politicians. The King was delight
became easy and happy. He looked once
or twice at the lady whom he considered
his mentor, Mrs. Grayson. and expected
to see approval and satisfaction on her
face. 100. but she was stern and impene-
trable. and the King said 20 himself
that after all she was not so startlingly
acute
Sylvia was telling some anecdote OF the
West 10 her new friends. and. as the In
cident was rather remarkable, she
thought it necessary to have confirma-
tion.
1T happened before I was born. but
you were there then, and you know all
about it, don't you, daddyg'
King Plummer quickly nodded con-
firmation and smiled at the memory. The
event had interested him greatly, and he
was glad TO vouch for its truth. He was
pleased all the more when he saw the
others looking at him with the respect
and difference due tO-his thoughts halted
suddenly in their course and turned into
another channel. Then he found himself
frowning. He did not like the conjunc-
ton Of dear old daddy and OF a thing
that had happened many years ago
The King quietly slipped away from
the party. and he noticed with intense
gloom that his departure did not seem To
make as much difference as 1t should. For
whole afternoon ne was silent and
many corrugations formed temporarily in
his brow, indicating resolved thought
Nor were appearances wrong, because
the king was labOriously dragging him
self up to the edge of a mighty resolu-
ton. He was physically as brave a man
as ever walked; in early and rougheI
days he had borne a ready Winchester
but this emergency was something new in
his experience. and naturally he hesitated
at the venture. However, just after sup
per, when Sylvia was alone in the draw
ing-room of the car, he approached her
She looked up at him. and smiled. but
the Kings face was set with the pow
er Of his resolve.
Come IN. daddy" she said.
The king did not smile, nor did he
sit down
Sylvia" he said. 7 have a favor to
ask OF you"
Why certainly, daddy. anything IN rea-
son, and ! know you would not ask any
thing out Of it."
Sylvia, want you to promise me new
er 10 call me daddy again. either in pri-
vate. as here between ourselves. or be-
fore others"
She looked up at him, her eyes wide
with astoaishment.
Why, she exclaimed, I've called YOU
mat ever since you found me a little
little girl alone In the mountains"
1 know II, but it's time to stop. In
no blood kin TO you at all And I'm not
so ancient The history OF the West
didn't begin with me.
The wonder in her eyes deepened and
the King felt apprehensive. though ne
stood TO his guns. But when she laughed
joyous, spontaneous laugh, he felt hurt
I'll make you the the promise readily
enough she said, but l can't keep II; ]
really can't. I'll try awful hard. but I'm
so used TO daddy that il will be sure IA
Pop out just when I'm expecting il least. -
The King" looked at her moodily, no,
sure whether she was laughing at him or
at her own perDlexity.
Then you Just try" he said. az last
yielding TO a mood Of compromise. and
staiEed abruptly out Of the drawing-room
Sylvia, watching him. saw how stifiy
and sauarely he held his shoulders, and
what long and abrupt strides he took, and
her mood Of merriment was suddenly sue
ceeded by one Of sadness mingled Just a
little with apprehension. She spoke twice
under her breath. and the two brief SEN
tences varied by only q single word. The
first was Dear old daddy" and the sec
ond was Poor old daddy"