Charlevoix county herald. (East Jordan, Mich.) 189?-1953, 1909-12-25
the CHRISTM as
BEARS.
BY GERALD PRIME.
Copyright 1909. by American Press
Association


81 father 1t was only a few days
III before Christmas. and she should
have been ut peace with herself
and all mankind in general. but she
wasn't She had been telling herself
all this particular day that as soon as
her father came home she would put
her case before him in a light so con
vincing that he would be brought TO
admit that he bad been n little too ar
bitrary. Her scheme had not worked.
She was beginning to realize painfully
that her effort 70 gain her point had
resulted in confirming her father i'm his
opinion that il WAS mans privilege
to rule in his own house. especially
when the woman of it was his onlr
daughter. Il girl Of twenty, who could
not be expected to know her own mind
You know perfectly WELL" said lsa-
bel. with final heroic attempt to
snatch victory from the jaws of de-
feat. THAT Jack and | have been
have been good friends for a long
time The only reason be hasn't spo
been waiting until be was in more Of
position To do So
''Then it's mighty lucky for him that
he concluded To postpone it," declared
Tom Truesdell testify. "Romance Is all
very we'll for those who can afford it.
but Jack Goodale doesn't belong to
that class. pay him a fair salary.
oil hn |
see how be expects me to accept him
as son-in-law. How could he ever
provide for wife as eXtrayagant as
you? Absurdw
. HE has a little money, and he may
make lucky deal some day" she per
sisted in spite of the forlornness of her
hope.
do you mean that the young man
intends to gamble in wheatT' he asked
ironically.
why shouldn't he? You do. don't
ycu?"
Tom Truesdel snorted impatiently.
NO" he retorted. II do not gamble. A
gambler risks his property. never
risk anything. know how the market
There is difference, Isabel"
Driven to desperation, Isabel played
her last trick. The man you want for
sOn-in-law," she said. lis no better
off financially. He has nothing but his
debts to distinguish him."
He smiled sardonically. "If | want
him for a son-in-law." he returned de-
,vh Of 70 oP
ford him. ! grant you Gerald Van In
gen has very little means, but he has
something that the Truesdell family
needs a good deal more. He has posi-
ton"
Hes an empty makeshift," declared
Isabel wrathfully.
'IIe isn't very brainy. suppose"
her father admitted. Hell he all the
easier to manipulate on that account.
That ought to appeal to you, Isabel.
But / haven't made up my mind yet.
Mr.. Van lngen is coming to lunch
with me tomorrow, and | shall make
study of him. He certainly ought to
do great things for us socially"
Van Ingen was punctual at Trues-
dell's Office on the following day. AS
he entered the busy place he found
the hustle very disquieting to his
nerves. Tape machines clicked. clerks
were shouting perplexing fractions
into telephones. and there was an up
roar quite unfa mlliar to the young
mans ears. All at once Truesdell
rushed into view, almost overturning
his distinguished visitor. and without
even an apology shouted in a voice
that seemed peculiarly disagreeable:
Here, Goodale! Get move on and
cell all you can--10000.O00 bushels to-
day. Keep cool head, man."
Having given his commands. Trues-
dell turned to his visitor. you'll have
to excuse me-" he said. II expected
quiet day. but the bulls are on the
warpath. and I'm having the fight Of
my life. Goodale will be back present
". and he'll tell you all about it, Come
in tomorrow and IL blow you to that
luncheon--if have money enough left
10 pay for it,"