The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1909-12-23
The CHRISTMAS
BEARS.
BY GERALD PRIME.
Copyright 1909. by American Press
Association

Copyright 1909. by American Press
Association
" SABEL was having it out with her
father. 1t was only a few days
~ before Christmas and she should
have been at peace with herself
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 III light so con
viGcing that be would be brought to
admit that he bad been little too ar
bltrary. Her scheme had not worked
She was beginning to realize painfully
that her effort to gain her point had
resulted in confirming her father in his
opinion that it was mans privilege
TO rule In his own house, especially
when the woman of it was his only
daughter u girl OF twenty, who could
not be expected to know her OWL MUD.
you know perfectly WE'LL said Isa-
bel. with a final heroic attempt to
snatch victory from the jaws of de-
feat, that Jack and | have been-
have been GOOD friends for long
time. The only reason he hasn't spo
ken about ito yOu-is because he has
been waiting until he 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,
and | admit he earns it. But | don't
see how he expects me to accept him
as a sOu-in-iaw. How could he ever
provide for a wife as eXtravagant as
you: Absurdw
He has 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 wheat?' he asked
ironically.
why shouldn't he? You do, don't
you?"
Tom Truesdell snOrted impatienly.
NO. he retorted, Il do not gamble. A
gambler risks his property. never
risk anything | know how the market
is going because | make the market.
There is a difference, Isabel"
Driven to desperation, Isabel played
her last trick. The man you want for
a son-in-law," she said, ''is no better
off financially. He has nothing but his
debts to distinguish him"
He smiled sardOnically. "If | want
him for a son-ln-law," he returned de-
cidedly, 81 am well enough off to af-
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-
tom
Hes an empty makeshift," declared
isabel wrathfully.
HE isn't very brainy, l suppose"
her father admitted. He'll be all the.
easier to manipulate on that account.
That ought to appeal to you, Isabel
But I haven't made up my mind yet.
Mr.. Van Ingen is coming to lunch
with me tomorrow, and | shall make a
study Of him. He certainly ought to
do great things for us socially"
Van lngen was punctual at Trues-
delrs office on the following day. As
he entered the busy place he found
the hustle very disquieting to his
nerves. Tape machines clicked, clerks
wara Shoutinp narnlayinU Traditions
into telephones, and there was an up
roar quite unfamiliar to the young
mans ears. All at once Truesdell
rushed into view, almost overturning
his distinguished visitor, and without