The Washington times., 1909-03-28
CHAPTER XIV (Cont'd).
A PRESENT AND A SURPRISE.

harrington in astonishmenL
"Do YOU mean to say that you
really wish to marry our little
Efrl?" ne gasped. Are you Serious
Sir?'
'.Of course. I'm serious, replied Bar
rington. Il was never more so IN all
my life l repeat, Mr.. Hamilton, that
by giving us your consent you VIII
make me the happiest man in the world
Laura, like the dutiful girl she is, de-
clares that she will not marry me with
out it,
But YOU have only known her a
couple of weeks" protested Hamilton
Isn't this a rather impulsive move on
your part, Mr.. Darlington?
'.If / had known her for lifetime |
could not love her more than do, de-
ciared the younger man earnestly.
THE very first time I saw your daugh-
Ter. sir. 1 feel head over heels in love
with her. 1 am sure that l can make
her happy. if you and your wife will
give her to me-.
Hamilton turned TO his daughter. in
uuiringly,
How about it. little girl?" he asked
huskiIy. You have heard what this
young man has said. DO you wish me
20 say yes to him2''
You will make me a very happy girI
tf YOU do. dad dear was the soft
spoken reply, accompanied by rosy
blush. After what you said this morn
ing about Mr.. harrington I felt that
could not accept his proposal without
first consulting your wishes.
Wen forget what ] said this morn
ing" declared Hamilton hastily, show
ing considerable embarrassment. III
admit. sir" he added. turning to Ar
thur. that 7 was inclined to look upoT
Eou with suspicion. and so was my olc
woman. We didn't at all like the ides
If your paying so much attention tc
Dur little Girl, and I was telling Laura
so today. But. of course, we didn
have any idea that your intentions wer'
really serious.
THAT alters matters entirely You've
come here like a man and asked 10
laura hand in straightforward
way, and I'm not the sort of feller L
stand in the way OF our girls happi
ness. If the old woman will give he
consent I'm not Withholding mine.
call her in and ask her"
Mrs Hamilton was in the kitchel
cooking the evening meal AT her nus
bands excited hail she came into tn
yarIor without waiting to doff her bi
cotton aDron. Her sleeves were rOlle'
no 10 TIE elbows and she carried a bit
SOUP spoon in her right hands
Martha. old girl exclaimed Ham
iiton excitedIy. what do you think ma
happened? You'd never guess. Nj
harrington here has gone and fallel
an love with our Laura. He wants I
MARY her If we'll give our consent
= Han n
became so agitated that she droppe
the soup spoon.
Wants to marry her. she gaspeo
us he really serious
why, Of course. I'm serious,
laughed Arthur Darlington You
husband asked me exactly the sam
question when ! broke the news t
him. Why should you doubt me?'
We'll. Of course. 1 don't doubt yoJ
5f vou ssv So declared the good VIC
man. "And I'm mighty sorry that m
man and me should have doubted y0
before. / guess it's only fair 70 te
Won. MIR. harrington, that we amt bee
exactly partial 10 YOU until now. w
lad sort Of idea that YOU was Onl
td1ing with our little girl. We dian
have no suspicion that your Intention
vas serious
There was something about yo
which made Us mistrust you and Get
cert of anxious about your seeing Of
Laura houA every night OF cOurs
We didn't dream that things was goin
20 turn out this way
We'll. I appreciate your candor,
laughed Arthur harrington, and Il
mighty sorry 10 hear that you haN
mistrusted me. ! assure lou that va