The Madison journal. (Tallulah, Madison Parish, La.) 1888-current, 1906-12-29
:HsS PROMOTION.
BY w. Il. ROSE.
"And do you approve, George"
l. - Il

"And do you approve, George"
He hesitated little
Douglass comes or an excellent |
family. l greatly esteem his father.
AS far as know the boy has a good
reputation. He is a little too boy |
ish for his years, perhaps. but that |
isn't a serious fault"
And you would intcrpose no OBJ
jection?"
Not if you loved him."
She was silent a moment. Then !
she smiled.
You mustn't forget that Wedncs-
day is my birthday, and you are to
take supper with me here. There
is to be an exchange of surprises,
you know"
81 remember" he said. 81 will
come. Good-by."
As he went down the front steps
the girl called to him.
George" she cried, eff you see
Douglass at the Office tell him I'd
like to see him, please"
AS he walked away the young
mans face clouded.
when John Lamborton urged me
to be the guardian of his child he
didn't know that he was asking me
to play with fire." he muttered.
Every day she grows more charm
ing, every time see her my peace Of
mind is freshly shattered. But Doug
lass-oh, well, it will have to be all
right If she fancies him. There is
one thing certain-I must give up
this guardianship"
AS for the girl, she fingered n mo-
her guardia~,---~paIt ing hSure.
- Dor George" she murmured.
But he's too silly to deserve any
pity. AS if l couldn't see that he
loves me so much that he's actually
afraid of me. And all that pretense
about lecturing me for my extray-
agance! Why, he's as transparent
as glass. Poor George"
That afternoon Ethel Lamberton
had a caller, a chuhJy-faced youth
with clothes of extreme cut and a
hat with parti-colored band. 1t
was young Douglass Gaines, and
young Gaines looked a little worried.
"Hullo, Ethel" he said.
"How do you do? Mr.. Edgar gave
you my message%'
- ..sYasraI-vII. ~ as o f-"iA - -, =
-N---vr ruus, saIu the
girl.
He looked at her helplessly.
You haven't seen dad. have you?"
mo"
maybe you know what he
wants."
Maybe do"
Then you know he wants me to
marry you?"
Il have heard something of the
kind"
He looked still more helpless.
You do not look pleased" said
the girl.
There seemed to be a lump in the
young mans throat. care you
pleased?" he stammered.
That isn't fair" said the girl. "I
mustn't show my feeling until
well, until you make yourself more
definite. Are you pleased?"
No." he blurted out. Then he
mustered all his courage. 81 like
you first rate, Ethel. You're a Jolly
girl all right. B-but / don't like Won
in the way-well. in the way father
wants me to like YOU"
The girl frowned.
THAT isn't flattering, Douglass.
Your father"
lie interrupted her.
You know my father wants Won
in the family? It's your money he
wants"
The young man drew a long
breath.
Il wish some l knew had a little
money. Enough at least to impress
father"
The girl shook her head at him.
Then l have hated rivaI?"
"N-not a rival, Ethel. She is very
fond of you. She thinks you're a
wonderful girl"
Then know herr"
"Yes."
us it Emily Robbins"
Yes. How did you guess?"
Never mind. And you prefer
Emily Robbins to me?"
Yes. You don't care very much.
do your"
And you want to marry Emily?"
"Of course"
Does Emily know"
She knows. It's all right-eycept
for dad"
Suppose I bring little influence
10 bear on your father?"
Can you-will you?"
Would it do any good to have
George Edgar talk to him."
"Of course it would. He's the very
man. Whatever George Edga$ saws
always goes with dad. There isn't |
a finer fellow on earth than George.
You ought to hear what they say
about him in college. He was the
great half-back of his year, you
know. But he wouldn't speak to
lad. would he?"
The girl smiled.
II am quite sure he will II ask
him."
Fine. We'd like to be married in
Tune If it's all right.
1t was dainty LITTLE birthday din
Ter to which the girl invited her
ynardian and the pnardian lonl.nd