The Lee County journal. (Leesburg, Ga.) 1904-19??, 1907-05-24

hldU6IIIG h6lCef WAS I6dllJ q S41ie'' IA
,lably pretty girl. Soft brown eyes,
whose occurrences was belied by
lnischievous light seldom absent; dark
brown hair, clustering in bewltchlns
curls over the white forehead; 1eat-
ures small and piquant, matching
figure sylphlike and gracetul-such
were her charms, and she was every
whit as charming as she looked.
Furthermore she dressed dlVlnely'
thanks to an unstinted purse; tor hef
father, George A. Keller, was a success
full broker, a member Of the STOCK Tx
change, and she was his only chlld.
In the natural order Of things 1t 1ol-
lowed that sooner or later her exist
ence must involve the happiness OF
some man, if not of several.
Dick Rudford, at least, was one.
Having made the discovery at an
early stage of their acquaintance tna'
she was essential to his happiness ne
at once set to work to convince her
that he was essential to hers. HIS Ell
forts were so far from being frultless
that it only remained to lay the com
bined facts before her father, IN the
hope that what they involved Woulu
be commensurate with his happiness
also.
Unfortunately, there was every rea-
son to apprehend that Mr.. Kelter would
prove the obstacle which invariably
hampers the course of true love. Rud'
ford was also a stock broker, and, De-
ing a particularly smart young man,
had made his presence felt in the Stock
Exchange.
So it came about that in one or two
little operations in which he mad been
opposed to his hypothetical father-ln-
law, that gentleman had come out
with by no means flying colors. MOI
being of magnanimous nature, his re-
sentiment was kindled at being outdone
by a man so much his Junior, Tor Rud-
ford was only twenty-eight.
So when Dick proposed to beard the
lion in his den, his feelings We're not
entirely those of unmixed joy.
II shall get kicked out, Maddie, |
know" he said, disconsoIately.
'Neyer mind Dick, dear" she re
piled, encouragingIy. Am l not worth
the risk Of being kicked?"
eyes; but the process is unpleasant
and I fear I shall not take kindly to
it," he replied, with a rueful smile.
However, the thing has to be done
so there is no use Sinking. I will see
the old man tonight"
They were lunching together in town
by no means a rare occurrence
when this momentous decision was
made. Madges movements were en-
tirely unrestricted. Her father, en-.
crossed in his business, did not inter
fere with her in any way. Since his
wife's death Mr. Keller had ceased to
go into society, toward which he new
er had any great leaning, though he
did not hinder his daughter from doing
so.
This partly explained his ignorance
of the present state OF affairs, for the
Young people met enc another CON
stantly at the houses of mutual
friends
Dick presented himself at Mr.. Kel-
ters mansion that evening with a
mind full of misgivings. The process
of demanding a daughters hand from
her stern parent is at all times a try
ing ordeal, even when a favorable re-
ception may be expected
But when as in the present case,
the reverse was the greater probabii-
itv. even a rising stock broker might
he pardoned a certain amount Of ner-
vousness. Bulls" and bears" he
could face with equanimity, but this
was something altogether outside his
experience.
However, the thought Of his little
Maddie braced him up, and when
shown into the august presence he
was quite prepared to risk being kicked
out. or anything else, for her sake.
Mr.. Keller was surprised at the an.
nouncement of his visitor. He was
considerably more surprised and much
ANNOYED when Dick, going straight to
the point stated his business clearly
and concisely. But no emotion was be.
trayed. however; it was not his way.
May l ask" he said, quietly IF my
daughter is aware Of this proposal OF
yours?'
Certainly, sir, replied Dick. She
has already promised to marry me;
your consent is the only thing re-
quired.
Mr.. Keller, in his own mind, prom
lsed his daughter pleasant ten min
utes.
1T would have been as well to have
ascertained my views on the subject
before coming to this interesting ar
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