The Donaldsonville chief. [volume] (Donaldsonville, La.) 1871-current, 1906-09-08

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s By BELLE MANDATES
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By BELLE MANDATES

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Thornton, | won't take no for an
answer this time You can stay over a
couple OF weeks now just as well as
not. There is a good golf links, boat
ing, and 7 have three pretty daugh-
ters, and
i certainly can't refuse such al
Turing inducements" laughed Thorn
ton, and l trust, Mr.. Darnley, |
won't be trespassing too much on
your hospitality and the good ma
ture of your household BY accepting
an impromptu invitation.
The household is an unconventional
one, and delights in opening doors
wide when friend knocks. replied
the elder man, taking down the tel
ephone.
Hello. This you, Madge? Mt.
Thornton is in town-you have often
heard me speak Of him. I have per
suaded him to remain over and pay
US a visit Yes, he'll come home with
me tonight After the transaction
of some business which had brought
Roger Thornton, the son Of an old col
lege friend Of Mr.. Darnley's, to the
the latter's country home.
The house looks rather forbid
ding" observed Mr.. Darnley, as they
came up the graveled road, but the
girls detest lights in summer. | pre-
sumo they are back in the garden.
Sit down here on the porch and l
will gather them up
Roger seated himself comfortably
at the end Of the vine-clad veranda,
while his host went around the
house. It was still summer night,
the sky motionless and starless. AS
he sat there musing over the pleas
ant anticipation Of meeting three so
beautiful girls as were portrayed in
the photograph their fond parent had
displayed to him, he heard a light
football behind him. Then two soft
arms encircled his neck, a velvety
cheek was laid against his own, and
! beautiful voice murmured tenderly:
What made you SO late, dear?"
Roger sat like man dazed,
stunned by the touch Of lips and
cheek. After throbbing silence he
lalf whispered:
Il beg your pardon!''
There was a Mortified exclamation,
! swift withdrawal Of arms, and the
sound of vanishing skirts.
In distant part of the house he
heard echoes of mirthful laughter.
Presently Darnley came out of the
house.
After proving all over the
grounds, found the girls in the din
ng-room preparing a chafng dish
luncheon for us. Come in and meet
hem"
Through the long, .dimly-lighted
-ooms Roger followed his host, his
pulses tingling at the anticipation of
meeting her. In the dining-room he
vas presented to the three girls. In
tafn he looked into the roguish faces
seeking some tell-tale token that
would denote the one who had greet
ID him so affectionately. But not
'ign c. confusion or enlightenment
lid he receive
Il must tell you a good joke, Thorn
on laughed Darnley. The girls
it was your father l was
o bring home with mel
Indeed! And was ] also supposed
o be my father when I sat out on the
,orch just now?' he asked, mean
ngly.
There was trio Of laughing voices
md knowing glances.
mo. You were thought to be me-
explained Darnley. See if you can
,uess which one made the embar-
assing error
There is but one way in which |
an decide that matter" replied Rog-
r, gravely.
How" demanded the trio.
I must close my eyes, and each
ne of you can in turn come up be-
ind me and repeat the error! Then,
might decide
This was positively and laughing
Y declined. After a merry evening,
loger, retired. unable to decide which
+ these beautiful young women he
bought the most charming. The next
ay and evening found him still IA
ecided. and also in the dark as to
Eho had bestowed upon him the fleet
ne embrace.
On the third evening Of his visit,
farie Loveridge, a niece of Mr..
1arnley's, arrived to pay visit. She
vas a type altogether different from
er hght-hearted, laughter-loYing
ousins. She had winsome, wistful
ace, a petite form, a low, charming
Dice, and sweet, quiet manner.
loger found himself always waiting
or her entrance, If she were not in
he room, listening to her when 9TH
rs were talking, and following her
With his eyes and thoughts when Ell
uette demanded his attention to
theirs. He made it entirely obvious
hat his desire was to be with her ex-
lusively, and the three Darnley girls
made all sorts of little
evices for throwing their cousin into
he young mans society.
But there was ever a delicate little
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