Western liberal. (Lordsburg, N.M.) 1887-1919, 1906-02-16
TO
ORDERS
BY JOANNA SINGLE
Copyright, 1906. by J. o. Loizeauz



lie kissed her again. Then he held
her on and looked at the sweet face
with the pride OF new possession. Her
eyes fell beneath his glance.
"Alids, when did you begin to Dve
NOR She twisted sauclly from him.
Il think I won't tell. That 1 do
should satisfy you"
ayes: il should-and It doesn't. 1
want to know all about 1t. Why in the
world should you love me? What
made your"
"Wen, for one thing. you are very
nice-in your way" Her tone was de-
mure. "And father as good as said l
mustn't. When you frst came here he
and l were downtown and met YOU"
and on sight my heart got down
for you TO walk ont l remember that
first time He drew her TO a seat be-
side him on a log in the wood adjoln-
ing the links where they were suppos-
ed to be playing golf. what did your
father sayy"
II asked who you were and was in
formed that you were the new lawyer,
good, but hopelessly young and =
and
"Impecunious," Philip Hardy sup
piled. Guilty. your honor. What
could he expect Of a new lawyer? And
/ can't help being young"
And he remarked on your good
looks"
Naturally" said Philip modestly.
"He has good taste. I'm glad he likes
his future son-in-law. But why else
did you like meT'
"Well, father was saving me for my
third cousin, VIII Robertson, who is
coming soon to practice with him. OF
course father thinks / don't know his
little scheme. And then-I saw you
and objected more than ever to being
saved up for a mere cousin, who prob
ably wants me as little as 1 want
him."
your father needn't worry. / knew
Robertson at college. He is engaged to
Eleanor Payne and wants to get into
the good graces Of her father" Aida
gasped.
"Welll And 1 almost hated Eleanor
because I thought you were in love
with her! Father thinks SO"
1T was you. l kept with her to
avoid the temptation to tell you that 1
loved you, for l had no right to offer
~you-nothlng. And here l am! 1 can
give you a little home-nothing like
your father's-and 1 think / can make
you happy. VIII you Gomez" She
leaned her cheek TO his.
"Yes," she answered simply, 81 will
come" He expressed his satisfaction
with silent effectiveness. Then be
asked:
when shall I tell your fatherT"
"Oh, Phil! He will never consent
Don't ask him yeti"
II said tell him. not ask him. dear
Does he approve my supposed passion
for Eleanor Payne? Yes? Then If b,
loved his neighbor as himself he'd be
quite as willing TO have me for his
own son-in-law IS to sacrifice Judge
Payne. SO I'm not to tell him?"
Get better acquainted with him first
You know he's president Of the Tween
t~y-fvers!"
4Ens anu Va AnG Uunh anu tue EUll
club and the Improvement league, and.
for all l know, the kindergarten
Don't try to be funny. It's the most
exclusive club in Westerville. You
ought to be honored by being elected
10 membership"
~ am. Initiation m in a week
or two. l must try to win the doe.
tors favor"
well. follow Eleanor conspicuously
mot me. We must go. It's too darl
even to pretend to play golf"
Philip left his betrothed at the gate
of her home. AS he swung happily
down the street he overlook Eleanor
and as he bent to tell her the Joy tina.
had befallen him they met Alida'i
father, DR.. Marston, and old DR.. Hayes
Fine chap. young Hardy; glad t
have him In the club. but Pm Thankful
TO Miss Payne for keeping him at he
heels. He is dangerously attractive anC
] was afraid Aida would take a fancl
TO him. Her mother and l have al
ways wanted her to marry Robertson
When he comes he can look after hi
own interests"
A week passed. Aida and PhillI
met often at social functions and a
the home OF Eleanor. TO whom Hard!
was apparently devoted. Robertson
came. was voted into the club and fol
lowed in Allda's wake. 10 the Joyful
expectancy Of her father.
Initiation night brought great fes
tlvitles to the club. The two new eau
didates were subjected to the Gus
tomary torture, but they bore 1t wit
admirable stoiclsm and were at lengtl
released.
At the banquet table the gayety raj
high. Wi aud satire ruled, but witt
the toasts came solemnlty. whethe
real or mock the new men could no
discover. Pledges and responses be
came more and more funereal. Final
y DIR. Marston, Allda's father, ros
from his place and rs president OF tn
club pledged the health. happiness an'
prosperity Of the Initiated and made
lugubrlous speech as to their dutie
and responsibilities.
Gentlemen" be finished, addressing
Hardy aud Robertson, you alone o
this august body are single men-thI
rest are di0nlnod mon ~ family II 4