Evening journal., 1907-12-30
His Last Love Affair.
lorlginal.l


partners in business. They were about
the same age. but OF different do
nestle experience. Powell was a mar
ried man with a family OF children,
while Ross was a bachelor The Pow
ellis had a daughter named May, who
was the apple OF her fathers eye.
When May was in her last year at
school her mother went abroad with
the other children. May remaining at
home to finish her education. But dur
ing the spring the father decided to
so abroad and bring his wife and
children home. He suspected May OF
an incipient attachment to a young
man whom he didn't like and was
loath to leave her. He asked Ross II
he would keep an eye on the girl dur
ing his absence and prevent any en-
tanglement Ross did not relish the
task, but consented. II was arranged
that he should take up his quarters in
the Powell home.
"Mr. Ross" said Miss May one Fril
day evening, paul Swami has asked
me to drive with him tomorrow after
noon. May go?"
Paul Swami was the objectionable
young man. and Mr.. Ross promptly
forbade his charge to accept the in
vitation.
Dear me-" said the girl, with
pout Saturday is the only day in the
week that have for recreation, and
suppose must nope at homer
you needn't DO that I'll take you
anywhere you wish to 60"
"Will you? How nice! Let's drive"
Mr. Ross ordered up his horse and
sidebar wagon and took little Miss
May for a drive The afternoon was
fine, the roads good, and the girl kept
up an incessant chatter that sounded
to the elderly bachelor as refresh
ing as falling water. When they
reached home she told him that she
had a much nicer time than II she had
gone with that boy" and Mr.. Ross
was very much fiattered.
During the flrst week that MT. Ross
played duenna he kept sharp eye
on his charge-that is. after 8 o'clock
In the afternoon. For the rest Of the
day he was at his office and May was
In school, The second week he re.
laxed somewhat from his watchful-
ness, for he was driving her out dur
ing the long twilight evenings after
dinner. During the third week he de-
bated whether Il was possible that
man OF his age could impress a girl
OF nineteen. During the fourth week
he made up his mind that this was not
only possible, but that he had done 80.
Then Mr. Ross began to be very
much ashamed Of himself He had
been put in charge Of his friends
daughter TO prevent her tying herself
up with a young man near her own
age, and he-Eugeno Ross--nearly as
old as her father, was stealing her for
himself. Not that he positively made
love to her; indeed, he maintained a
dignihed reserve most Of the time and
the rest was occupied in parrying GER
tain assumptions Of the girl with ref
erence to their relative position. He
wished It understood that they were
drifting into mutual admiration,
while the girl seemed TO consider the
matter as a foregone conclusion.
The Powell family were expected
from abroad about the 1st OF July.
when all except the father were to 60
to the country. AS the time for their
arrival approached Ross grew more
and more ill at ease. He felt assured
that what his friend had set him to
guard against had not happened. But
what had be to say with regard to bis
own actions? How could he look his
partner In the facel He made up his
mind to a mastery inactivity. He
would not acknowledge that ho had
meant any lovemaking, nor would ho
take pains to deny It.
The day after the family arrived
Evan Powell entered the counting
room Of Powell, Ross & co. with q face
black as a thunder cloud. He motion
ed Ross to join him in the private Of
flee. Ross, quaking his face scarlet.
never doubling that May had told Of
their relationship, went In to his part
ner feeling like a whipped cur.
You're a pretty fellow to leave in
charge Of a schoolgirl said Powell
angrily.
"Welly" said Ross. trying to appear
unconscious Of any dereliction, but pre-
ferring to wait for his partner to dis
close just what and how much be
knew.
Il went away. asking you 10 keep
watch Of my daughter aud see that she
had nothing to do with that fellow
SWAMP
Il was with her almost constantly
after business hours, and am quite
sure she has not seen him since you
went away"
Seen hlm7 She's gone and married
himw
Married himw exclaimed Ross, with
eyes and mouth wide open. 'When1
WhereT
''The week after left In a parsons
study. She hasn't been TO school half
a dozen days since went abroad"
"But her teachers-don't they usually
notify parents Of scholars absencesr'
"She watched the postman."
Evan" said Ross after long pause
during which the afflicted father walk
ed back and forth within the narrow
limits, II don't know which is the big
ger fool, you or I-you to put an old
batch in charge Of a schoolgirl or TO
be hoodwinked by her"
'Well, Gene" said the other, throw
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