The Manchester journal. [volume] (Manchester, Vt.) 1861-current, 1906-06-14

Scotis summer homo now. Tbcy want
me 70 plnH an addition for them. Hut
{ tonight I'm coming back 90 tel your
T father that we are going TO bo married
at once"
Alice shaok het head little fearful.
y No, Bob dear, she said 4 can't
leave mother that way, and / wan, 10
Hnish college hrst No; father has goi
10 change There ls no scase In bis act.
ing 80 10 such a dear as YOU"
Bob grlnned spprcciailVely as he
drrw her 20 him, bu, he lost none of his
look ~ determination That's all very
well, Alice, darling. but I've few
rights, aud after supper I'm coming
back aud rcad The riot act 10 your IA
ther."
Alice sighed Then she nodded her
head "Nes. come back. | don't know
just how. bu, some way I'm going TO
shame father"
Don't you worry" said Bob. I'm
nS him"
As Bob disappeared Allce's glance
wandered toward tho broad stump OF a
tree that stood In the dcoryand As she
looked her eyes lighted with q mis-
chleyous 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 hlazcd down on their
shining covers. Then she returned 10
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 rcadyr
Alice looked anxiously toward the old
stump, I'm afraid things have not be.
gun TO boil yet, she answered.
Mr. Humphrey looked al the strange
array OF utensils on the stump. al
Ice" he said what nonsense is thlsf'
III means just this" answered Alice
hrnyely you refuse 10 buy wood for
us. aud this noon you forbade mo TO
destroy any more OF your property. SO
when IL came time TO get supper the |
stump seemed the hottest place at |
hand, and | put the vegetables out
there 10 let nature take It's course, II
is much easier for me-
Mr.. Humphrey stood In silence. Al.
Ice watched him nnxlously. Slowly the
angry flush died away. and the corners
OF his mouth twitchcd He turned to
the man who had been an interested
spectator.
"Jm," 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 a twinkle IN his eyes.
That evening, as Alice and her father
sat on the steps waiting for Mrs. Hum.
phrey's return, Mr. Humphrey broke
the silence
1--WE been thinking II over, Alice"
he said, "and -and well, guess ia
ther 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
"A porch or IA window or some
thingf" he asked vaguely. And we'll
surprise your mother on her birthday"
For 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, Il didn't
know 1t meant SO much to you"
Alice nestled against his shoulder
1T means more than porch" she
sobbed; "lt means that, after all, you
ire nice, like other fathers" i
Mr.. Humphrey cleared bis throat Z
And I've been thinking, Alice" he Q
vent on, "that I've been hard on Bob.
4 rough old fellow like me gets preju' i
Iced against these college chaps.
When you finish school and Bob gets
start = well, you'll find that father
wants you to be happy after all"