Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1906-07-13

This architect business IL slow In start
ing but I've got enough to keep the pot
boiling I'm on my way out to the
Scots summer home now. They want
Nhe to plan nm addition for them. But
Tonight I'm coming back to tell your
father that we are going to be married
Mt once"
Alice shook her head little fearful
~. mo, Bob, dear" she said, 81 can't
leave mother that way, and want to
finish college first. No; father has got
to change There IL no sense In his act
Ing 30 to such dear as you"
Bob grnned approximately as he
drew her to him, but he lost none OF his
look Of determination. THAT'S all very
well, Alice, darling, but I've few
rights, and after supper I'm coming
back and read the riot act to your ia
ther.Y
Alice. sighed. Then she nodded her
bead "YeE, come back. I don't know
Just how, but some way I'm going to
shame father"
Don't you worry" said Bob. "Tll
Ok him."
AS Bob disappeared Alice's glance
wandered toward the broad stump Of a
tree that stood in the dooryard. As shs
looked her eyes lighted with a mis-
chievous smile Then she began her
preparations for supper. In a short
time she appeared in the yard with two
covered dishes In her hands. These she
placed on the top of the old stump
where the sun blazed down on their
shining covers. Then abe returned to
the house to set the table.
The hay wagon ratified into the yard.
"well," called Mr. Humphrey, seeing
Alice in the door. isn't supper readyr'
Alice looked anxiously toward the old
stump. I'm afraid things have not be-
gun to boil yet" she answered.
Mr.. Humphrey looked at the strange
array of utensils on the stump. al
Ice, he said ''what nonsense Ia thisl"
TT means Just this" answered Alice
bravely. You refuse to buy wood for
us, and this noon you forbade me to
destroy any more Of your property. 30
when 1t came time to get supper the
stump seemed the hottest place at
hand, and l put the vegetables out
there to let nature take Its course. 1t
Is much easier for me-"
Mr.. Humphrey stood In silence. Al
Ice watched him anxiously. Slowly the
angry flush died away. and the corners
of his mouth Evltched. He turned to
the man who had been an Interested
spectator.
"Jim," he said, you might as well
finish up the old hayrack. Split up
enough wood to get supper with"
Then he walked into the house with
never so small twinkle In his eyes.
That evening, az Alice and her father
sat on the steps waiting for Mrs. Hum
phrey's return, Mr.. Humphrey broke
the silence.
"Pye been thinking It over. Alice"
he said, "and-and--well, guess ia
Their has been negligent Of his two
girls. You see, didn't realize how
hard. some things are for women folks.
Now do you suppose you could plan
"a porch or IA window or some
thing2" he asked vaguely. "And we'll
surprise your mother on her birthday"
For u moment there was silence;
then he heard low sob beside him.
He reached out an awkward hand and
drew his daughter toward him.
'why, little GIRL" he said. II didn't
know 1t meant so much to you"
Alice nestled against his shoulder.
'It means more than n porch" she
sobbed; at means that, after all. you
are nice, like other fathers"
Mr.. Humphrey cleared his throat.
"And I've been thinking, Alice" he
went on. that I've been hard on Bob.
A rough old fellow like mo gets preju-
diced against these college chaps.
When you finish school and Bob gets
a start WELL you'll find that father
wants you to be happy after all"