The Washington herald., 1907-05-28

Elsie Kingston stood by the window
watching the retresting figure Of the
young man, too much absorbed to notice
the entrance Of her father until he was by
her side Without speaking she leaned her
arm upon his shoulder and thus they
watched until the young man was no
longer in sight Then her father spoke:
1T won't 90. Elsie; you've got TO tell
him I said so. He isn't the one"
The hand which had been caressing
his hair was thrown out with indignant
protest, and the girl faced him. panied
surprise in every curve Of the dainty
lips,
What's wrong, father?" she demand
ed; why haven't you said that before?''
The gray eyes gazing into her own
held far more kindness than his words
They were full Of stern decision.
Because 1 haven't been sure. Now
am. Fred Denton can never support "a
wife. He isn't able to now, and he
never will be; you've got 10 call il Off"
But father" she began.
It's no use. Elsie he interrupted
1T isn't In him. \ young man TO sue
ceed nowadays must get out and hustle
and that's something Fred Denton will
never do. He spends his time in his Of
flee reading, reading, reading, and that
never brought patient to a doctor yet
"Why, the other night there was an
accident at Cedar Glens: kensett was
mixed up in It. Had n drunken chauffeur.
and the whole car came precious near
going over the cliff. Would have gone
If II hadn't been for young med, who
understood sprinting and who saved il
IN the nick Of time.
"As It was. Kensett got off with a
broken collarb0ne. a friend Of his came
home with a smashed hand. and-well
you read Il In the papers. That saw
bones Is fixed for life Just because he
happened 20 be on the spot and knew
what TO do and how TO do Il. But it
wasn't Denton. he was in his Office read
ing up the microbes Of leprosy or some
other outlandish disease"
Fred was just telling me-" began
Elsie. when her father cut her short
Then, too. he had a little money in
one of the banks. WheTes that2 tie
wasn't content 20 let II stay where il
was He asked me what I thought about
Angora stocks. and I told him they
weren't worth the matches 10 burn 'em,
but he invested in them. Where are they
now? Whew. Now you see 'em and now
you don't"
Father. II you would only listen"
Listen to what? The same old story
Of love in a fat and your five hundred
year? I've got a deal on hand and
won't be home before tomorrow night.
In the meantime you just give me that
ring on your finger and I'll return It 10
Fred Denton. NJ. D"
Slowly his daughter drew of the ring,
a curious expression growing in her
ewes. one which her father was quick to
observe.
See here, Elsie" he said as he took
It from her. 7 want you TO promise
that. il he calls, you won't see him
until give you permission; that IS, if I
ever do
You are very unjust. father; If you
would only listen"
I've waited too long already" he re-
sponded, starting off. Mind your prom
ise, Elsie; there isn't to be any more Of
this nonsense
Perhaps there'n be more instead Of
less" she murmured, as the door closed
behind him. Then she went up the stairs
to her room with a tread as full OF de-
clsion as his tones had been.
It didn't take long for her 10 reappear,
dressed for the street, and fifteen min
utes later she surprised a certain young
man who was very busily engaged doing
nothing at all in a pleasantly furnished
Office Of a downtown business block.
"He wouldn't give me a chance to say
a single word" she concluded indig-
nantly.
Fred Denton smiled complacentiy into
her flushed face. There was no trace
Of the despondent lover about him.
"We won't try to explain" he said.
Suppose You take this trip TO New York
with me this morning? You look very
bride-y," he answered. white dress,
white hat white shoes and gloves.
Really. Elsie. one would almost believe
that you had dressed purposely for a
wedding trip
Fred Denton. you don't believe
she paused. crimson to the very ears.
Then she added irrelevantly:
Father ran away with mother; I've
heard him tell about it time and time
again"
Come on" Denton cried.
1T doesn't seem right. Fred; father
has always been the kindest, the best
father in existence and he is doing this
Just because he loves me"
That's just the reason we're doing
what we are" was his ready response.
Come dear. we haven't a moment 70
lose. You so to the Wilson avenue station
and take the train from there while I'll
trolley it TO Woodlawn and get on board
at that place Then no one will see us
together until after we leave the city and
we are all o. k
A ten minutes wait for the New York
express is a time altogether inadequate
for repentance and hOmeg0ing. Besides
there was the danger Of discovery, and
no one Of Elsie Kin6ston's makeup ever
finched when danger was in the air.
Then there was her ticket to buy. her
seat to secure. and the ten minutes had
come and gone before she thought OF
looking for friend or foe in that crowd
ed railway car.
At Woodlawn station she saw Fred
Denton swing himself upon the platform
Of the smoker. but the city streets were
far behind them and the train was speed
ing fast through the country meadows be-
fore he Joined her. When he did he held