Daily press. [volume] (Newport News, Va.) 1896-current, 1906-06-06


81 and tied his horse. 1--WE been wish
ing for you. Everything is SO topsy
turvy i'll this horrltl place"
Bob looked anxious us it your fa-
Their again:" he asked rs he drew her
down on the step beside him. Alice
| told him Of her mornings experience.
Bob's face darkened.
Look here. Alice" he exclaimed,
"I'm not going to stand this. l knew
things were pretty bad, but ] never
knew you had To do this sort Of work"
He took her hand, looked at the pretty
pink palm with the row of blisters
across IT, I'm not going to SHY any of
the things to you that think about
your father. But this Is going to stop!
This architect business is slow III start
Ing. but I've got enough 10 keep the pot
boiling. I'm on my way out to the
SCOTS summer home now. They want
me to plan nh addition for them. But
tonight I'm coming back to tell your
father that we are going to be married
Mt once
Alice shook her head IL little fearful
ly. NO. Bob, denr," she said. II can't
leave mother that way. and want to
finish college first No; father hns got
to change. There is 10 sense in his act
Ing SO to such II dear us YOU"
Bob grinncL approximately rs he
drew her to him. but he lost none of his
look of determination. "'rhnts all very
well. Alice, darling. but I've few
rights. and after supper I'm coming
back and read the riot net to your fa-
ther."
Alice sighed. Then she nodded her
head. Yes, come back. I don't know
just how. but some way I'm going to
shame father"
Don't you worry" said Bob. "I'll
fix HIM"
AS Bob disappeared Alices glance
wandered toward the broad stump Of q
tree that stood i'll the dooryard. AS she
looked her eyes lighted with mis-
chevous smile. Then she began her
preparations for supper. In short
time she appeared IN the yard With two
covered dishes in her hands. These she
placed OH the top of the old stump
where the sun blazed down on their
shining covers. Then she returned to
the house to set the tnhle.
The hay wagon ratified into the yard.
Well called Mr. Humphrey, seeing
Alice In the door. Isn't supper ready
Alice looked anxiously toward the old
stump. lin afraid things have not be-
gun To boil yet" she answered
Mr.. Humphrey looked ut the strange
array of utensils OH the stump. AL
Ice" lie said what nonsense is this?"
1T means Just this" answered Alice
bravely You refuse to buy wood for
US, and this noon you forbade ME to
destroy any more Of your property. So
wien it came, time to get supper the
stump seemed the hottest place ut
hand, and l put the vegetables out
there to let nature take its course. 1t
Is much easier for me-"
Mr.. Humphrey stood In silence. AL
Ice watched him anXiously Slowly the
angry flush died away, and the corners
OF his mouth twitched. He turned to
the man who hnd been an Interested
spectator.
Jim" he said, "you might as we'll
finish UP the old hnyrack. Split up
enough wood TO get supper WITH
Then he walked into the house with
never SO small II twinkle In his eyes.
That evening, MS Alice and her father
snt OH the steps waiting for Mrs. Hum
plrey's return, Mr. Humphrey broke
the silence.
1--WE been thinking 1t over, Alice"
he said, and -nnd-wcll, guess fa-
tller 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
N porch OF IA window or some
thing?" he asked vaguely "And we'll
surprise your mother OH her birthday"
For moment there was silence;
then he heard II low sob beside him.
tic reached out an awkward hand and
drew his daughter toward him.
why, little girl" lie said, 81 didn't
know 1t meant so much to you"
Alice nestled against his shoulder.
1T means more than II porch" she
sobbed: 1T means thnt, after all, you
are nice, like other fathers"
Mr.. Humphrey cleared his throat.
aud I've been thinking, Alice" he
went on, that I've been hard on Bob.
a rough old fellow like me gets preiu.
diced against these college chaps.
When You finish school and Bob gets
n start = well. you'll find that father
wants you 10 be happy after ALL"