Montour American. (Danville, Pa.) 1866-1920, 1906-09-20
Fufe'C
Romance
by George MaTferS
Copyright, 1855, By NJ NJ. Cunningham

You'll be good to the youngster
when she comes, won't you" said Lin
den as he bent to kiss his mother. IF
she looks anything like Billy she should
have gray eyes and a sort of quiet
brown hair YOU know the kind /
mean"
"Of course III be good to her, you
foolish boy she laughed. Don't you
know how glad l shall be to have a
little child about the hOuseT
Linden blushcd 1t was one of his
mothers greatest regrets that he never
had married, but he was absurdly
bashful. ANA he hated the thought.
For that reason he had welcomed the
suggestion that he should lend his
mother to BILLY Corson's motherless
little sister. 1t would help her TO for
get his own refusal to wed.
There had been great preparations
made since the letter Of acceptance
had been sent Linden had almost
baniruptcd himself in the purchase of
toys, and the little room where az
child ne had played was overflowing
with all sorts of dolls and things.
Daisy was to come on the noon train
in the care of the conductor, and Bob
by Linden could scarcely wait until he
could get his most pressing affairs
Strengthened out before he rushed Off
to the station to take the train back
home.
On the way he stopped to pick up a
few more toys. and it was with his
arms loaded down that he hurried
through the shady street and into his
own gate. Then he gave a gasp. On
the porch sat Il girl in summery cos
tune talking to his mother 1t could
not be the nurse. She was far too
we'll dressed for Il nurse. 1t must be
one of the local girls calling He
thought of the toy store package that
had come undone and from which
dolls legs waved pinkly and unre-
strained, and The persplration beaded
his forehead
He had always tried to appear digni-
fled before the girls. 1t kept them at a
distance But how on earth could he
look digniiied with those Internal toys
dangling noucath his elbow2
The two women rose as he ascended
the steps. and Mrs. Linden presented
the other.
Miss CoraOn," he echoed blankly.
"Dick always spoke Of me as his
little sister, she said as she came for
ward 4 hope you are not disappoint-
ed"
Disappointed that he should be the
companion of such glorious girl? Bob
chucklcd, and in the saving grace Of
humor he lost his bashfulness.
You are most welcome" he laughed
as his hand closed over hers. "Since
you" And he waved those pink abom-
nations under her eyes with an audac-
ity that surprised himself
1t broke the ice all around, and iD
the little interval before dinner they
chattcd as three old friends. Since she
was TO he Il permanent guest there was
no sense IA being afraid of her, so Bob
eXcrtcl himself to make her feel at
home. uad his mother. sitting quietly
back and watching the animated pair,
built air castles pe1pled with little folk
who were truly her grandchildren and
who had Bob's eyes and Daisy's hair.
In the days that followed the dream
seemed to crow more real. The little
nursery had been converted into a sit
ting room for the girl, and Bob had
entered into the furnishing of this with
even more ardor than he had shown
in the planning Of the other.
He and Daisy were together con
stantly vhrl hc was at home, and in
the long evenings while they sat out
on the pi1zzl in the cool dusk bud of
romance - ~ into a sturdy plant.
Boh's suc.r.s III business had been
due to his 4. ccm"ss and commanding
qualities. .Il these he brought to bear
now. Be- .rn week had elapsed the
| question hn iDngcI 10 ask seemed GER
tain Of IA favorable answer.
| lie decided 10 ask her Saturday aft
| ernool amt had come out early for that
purpose. Daisy and his mother were
| In the yard looking after the flower
|
| expecting hint TO come right out, but
he caught Il Iettsr from the table on
he way out, and the contents brought
! him to dead halt on the back steps.
| 1t was from Billy Corson and ran:
"DCar Old Chap-I suppose you are
blessing ne Tor my stupidity, but real
! " ! am not to blame. | had to leave
town for few days, and In the inter
val my maternal aunt swooped down
on us and carried poor Daisy off to the
| gerry fate | was trying TO save her
| frOm-immurcment III the desolate lit
| tie town where l suffered SO when l
was a youngstcr No one had your ad-
dress, so they could not notify you. l
nm sorry that you have been put to
This trouble nccdlessly, but hope that
! you ana your mother VIII forgive me.
Bob tucked the letter into his pocket
and went toward the pair. There was
somn nistnLn that was evident Per
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