Baxter Springs news. [volume] (Baxter Springs, Kan.) 1882-1919, 1908-09-10

about Il, father; he's married now. and
there's the end OF the whole business"
"All right, Mary; as you please. az
YOU please, but the day will come
YOU won't have any one to look after
YOU. and as you've been a kind girl
TO me. I'd like to see you comfortable
with some good man before-before-"
The old man stopped abruptly. and
glanced up timidly at his daughter.
But she didn't appear to have heard
what he said, for she sat staring ut
the blazing log. thinking. thinking
thinking Of the past and OF possibili'
ties now lost forever.
Five wears ago William Dutton had
come to make his last appeal to her to
marry him. He was employed on the
railway and had received a good ap
polntment in Chicago, and he came
either to obtain her promise to marry
him or to say good-by.
Five years ago! It seemed like hve
hundred. How hard he had striven 10
overcome her conviction that to marry
him would be contrary to what she felt
to be her duty towards her father.
Let him come with u.s." he said.
mo: Il would break his heart to
leave the old farm; he'd never con-
sent" she replied. sadly.
Then William button, driven to des'
peration, cried angrily:
Seems to me he's selfish old man
,, Parents is everlastingly talking about
the duty OF children, but they mostly
!, forget the duty of parents"
Hush, VIII; he never tried to make
> me stay. never even spoke to him
about It. I couldn't, you know, be-
cause l promised mother when she
died that would never leave him
alone"
Then you have quite made up your
mind have you?" he said In a strained
: voice.
"Yes, Will; but don't speak unkind'
~ 10 me. God knows it's hard enough
to let you go without having you an
cry with me-"
And with q sob she laid her mead
on his shoulder, and he stroked her
hair and spoke few kind, gentle
words OF affection.
MARY. I've been a good father to
You, haven't II"
Eyes, father, you've always been
| good to me-" she replied, evidently
surprised at this unusual remark from
her father, who had exacted so much
and given so little in return. but then
he was a lonely old man, and never
meant to be selfish and mean and un
reasonable. she thought.
81 wonder how you'll get along with
out me, Mary" he continued, and hi
voice shook perceptibly.
Hush, father: you must not tall
like that; you'll last for many a lonl
| day yet"
The old man chuckled to himself.
81 wasn't thinking Of dying. Mary,
a he replied, significantly.
That's right, father. Why, you're
younger man than many one hal
d your age" she remarked, cheerfully.
J; do you think so? Do you thin
,r So daughter" A look Of eager hop
% came into his eyes.
"Of course do; any one with hal
d. an eye can see that" she said. In
e. tone of mild surprise.
Mary, I've got something want I
lr tell you. I've been trying to make u
e. nv mind for the past six weeks, bu
never knowed quite how to do It."
st What is It, father? You are not II
y are your" she inquired, anxiously.
at mo, daughter; never felt better
~ my life."
" by the way. how long is 1t sine
n Harry Johnston died?" he asked.
y. Mary glanced up in astonishmen
It About two years ago." she salt
ne What made you think Of him, father!
- T-I-I was-going-to-to tell 20
d, that am going to marry Harry Johl
o. ston's widow" he blurted out. Il Jul
no wanted to know what you thought
nix her."
ur Father" she cried. and her fac
lost all its healthy glow. She stoc
staring at him in a strange, vacal
manner as though unable to realii
=, what he meant
"a We'll! Welt" he remarked testil
Nv What have you got to say against IL
Mt Nothing, fother. Do whatever yc
nv think is for the best"
a Both remained silent for momen
?" The clock struck IL. The old ms
IN. got up out Of his chair.
Mt Guess it's time to 60 to. bed" he
marked.
o. "Yes, father; ] reckon fs abo
nd sleeping time" the woman snsWere