Bonners Ferry herald. [volume] (Bonners Ferry, Idaho) 1904-current, 1906-03-10

that she could see the steps that led up
to the front door. II was a quarter past
eight, and she was watching anxiously,
as she had done for several mornings
past, for the coming Of the postman. She
left her position presently, and hustled
about, putting little finishing touches to
the breakfast table.
1T Is hard on poor dear dad TO have
to put up with petty Inconvenience"
she said affectionately, as she laid the
morning newspaper next the roses, and
looked to see If she could do anything
further to beautlfy the unlovey lodging
house breakfast table 81 know the sight
Of stain on the tablecloth takes away
his appetite. With the very next few
shillings l make by my copying I'll buy
a couple Of tablecloths, and then we can
have an extra one without asking Mrs.
Philpott for It and risking black looks
for the rest Of the week. Oh, here you
are, papal / thought you were going
to be late-and It is your Kensington
day, too All, there's the postman! |
wonder II he has a letter for me7 Isn't
It strange that Jack has written only
once In whole week2'
Young fellows always find plenty Of
occupation In the country; you must not
worry about 1t, my child" This remark
was rather uncalled for, as Ethel, the
whole week through, had scrupulously
avoided mentioning the subject Of Jacks
neglect. "The country round Mallingford
is particularly attractive, and l can quite
understand that Jack Is feasting his soul
on Its beauties"
"Oh. papa. do you know Mallingford?
You never said 80 beforehand Ethel
was just about to launch out into n
string Of questions when her thoughts
we're diverted by the appearance of the
servant with the fish for breakfast, and
letter
"Bor me, and from Jackv she ex-
claimed. breathlessly; but she did not
attempt TO read 1t until she had attended
to every little want Of her fathers, and
seen him comfortably settled for his
morning glance over the leaders in the
newspapers.
Then she took up the letter and be-
gan reading II. As she read, the sweet
anticipation Of pleasure faded slowly
from her face, and she laid the epistle
down, looking perplexed and troubled
She went on pretending to eat, filed her
fathers cup when he pushed it toward
her, and resolutely kept silence until he
had laid down his newspaper and caught
her wistful look.
"Well, what are you waiting to say p
he asked.
81 don't know; Jack has written a
nice, long letter, and yet l am disap-
pointed. I'm never satisfied; am |, dad
He tells me here that he's very lonely,
and line or two lower down he says
that Miss Mailing, of whom he gave such
glowing description in his first note.
has left for London. ! know I'm mar
row minded, but l can't help fancying
that it's more her absence than mine
that makes him lonely. As IL did not
know Jack to be one of the most hon
orable men In the world Please call me
few hard names, dad, and make me
ashamed Of myself"
But Mr.. Mallet did nothing of the sort.
81 think It extremely bad taste on
Jacks part to fill his letters to you with
descriptions of another woman's beau
ty"
"Now, there you are wrong! It's just
that that satisfies me as to Jacks good
faith. If there was one scrap of unfair
ness to me In his admiration for Miss
Mailing he would not write so openly
about IT, 1t was only my nonsense about
being jealous, you know"
you are veritable little bee, suck
ing the honey and leaving the poison.
I'll not say one word against your hero,
my dear. But | don't like to hear of
any slight being put upon you. You
know l don't think him worthy of my
little girl"
"You conceited old dad" Ethel said
with a smile, ito think your girl better
than any one else'sl Why, Jack is much
too good for me! Even you admit he's
clever"
Granted. But who is he? He has a
straight nose and good pair Of Shout
ders; but what was his grandfather
Have you ever asked himY'
"Papal What an extraordinary ques-
ton that would be for me to ask him.
l dare say his grandfather was as good
a man as mine"
my dear, your grandfather was one
Of the oldest commoners in England. The
Mallings Of MallIngford hold themselves
among the best people In Exbridgeshire. "
Ethel looked at her father as If she
AtoA tA A-' AtAoVh AaA tAhtA way
81 dare say you are very astonished.
You have always known me as hard
working drawing master. and of course
concluded | had never been anything
else. My dear, that Mallingford Park
Of which Jack writes so enthusiastically,
Is mine by all just laws Of succession
But my elder brother, the late owner, cut
me off with a shilling because l annoyed
him about tritling matter, and left the
whole property to my niece your cousin
Pauline Luton"
"And l am eighteen, and this IS the
first word have ever heard of itr
Eyes. and most likely the last for il
is subject l don't care to talk about
l don't think l should have spoken of il
now II / had not felt extremely annoyed
with Jack for his ungentieman-like neg
lect during the past week. You are as
well born as this cousin Of yours OF
whom he raves, and | will not allow him
to slight you In any way"
Daddy, will you let me manage this
matter myself You have so surprised
me- by what you have just said that
am almost bewildered, and can hardly
think of anything else. But | am sure
that am too self-conceited to let Jack
really slight me. II | thought he want
ed me to give him his freedom l would
do 1t at once. l think it would almos;
break my heart. but l would do 1t.
would not bestow myself where l was
lightly thought Of"
Heaven bless my child l can trust
you to support the family reputation
for self-respeet; and. Ethel. if you are
writing TO Jack to-day. don't touch on