Audubon Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Iowa) 1894-1925, 1910-12-22

At least now, In my tightstrapped
trousers and my long blue coat and
my deep embroidered waistcoat and
my high stock. my shining boots and
my tall beaver, ] made my way on my
well.groomed horse up to the gates
of old Elmhurst; and as rode pom
dered and dreamed.
But Miss Elizabeth was not at home,
1t seemed. Her father. Mr. Daniel
Churchill. rather portly, and now just
a tribe red of face, met me instead II
was not an encounter for which de-
voutly wished. but one which knew
1t was the right of both Of US to ex.
pect ere long. Seeing the occasion
propitious ! plunged at once in medals
res. Part of the time explanatory.
again apologize. and yet again. ]
trust, assertive. although always blum,
dering and red and awkward, | told
the father of my intended, of my own
wishes, my prospects and my plans
He listened to me gravely and. II
seemed to me. with none OF that en-.
thusiasm which would have wei
coined. As to my family, he knew
enough. AS to my prospects, he ques.
toned me. My record was not un.
familiar to him. So, gaining conf
dence at last under the insistence OF
what ] knew were worthy motives,
and which certainly were irresistible
of themselves. so far as ! was con.
cerned. asked him II we might not
soon make an end of this, and. taking
chances as they were, allow my wed.
ding with Elizabeth to take place at
no very distant date
why as to that, of course ! do not
know what my girl will say" went on
Mr.. Daniel Churchill. pursuing up his
lips.
"Oh, OF course--that," ! answered
Miss Elizabeth and T." ....
THE skeesicks!" he exclaimed. 81
thought she told me everything"
81 think Miss Elizabeth tells no one
quite everything" | ventured 81 con
fess she has kept me almost as much
in the dark as Yourself. sir. But
only wanted to ask II, after have
seen her today. and II ] should gair
her consent to an early day, you wonlc
not waive any objections on your owl
part and allow the matter to go for
ward as soon as possible?"
In answer to this he arose from his
chair and stood looking out OF the
window, his back turned to me. coulc
not call his reception of my sugges
ton enthusiastic; but at last hs
turned
81 presume that our two families
might send you young people a sacl
of meal or side OF bacon now anc
then, as far as that is concerned, be
said
| could not call this speech joyous
There are said to be risks In any
union, sir" ventured to say, ~ ad
nit do not follow you in contemplat
ing any risk whatever. II either yo,
or your daughter doubts my loyalty
or affection, then ! should say certain
ly II were wise to end all this; but
and | fancied Strengthened percepti
bly, think that might perhaps b.
left to Miss Elizabeth herself"
After all, Mr.. Dan Churchill wal
obliged to yield, as fathers have beer
obliged from the beginning OF thu
world. At last he tod me ! Nigh
take my fate in my own hands ant
/ go my way
Trust the instinct of lovers to brini
them together! ! was quite confden
that at that hour | should find Eliza
beth and her aunt in the big cas-
room at the presidents reception, TIL
former looking on with her uncompro
missing eyes at the little pageant whicl
on reception days regularly went for
ward there
My conclusion was correct. foun'
boy to hold my horse in front o
Gautier's cafe. Then FASTENED OF
across the intervening blocks an,
through the grounds Of the Whit
House, In which presently, HAVING
edged through the throng In the ante
chambers. | found myself in that imam
procession of individuals who passe,
by in order. each to receive the lin
handshake. the mechanical bow an,
the perfunctory smile of Presiden
Tyler-rather tall. slender-limbed
active man and of very decent pres
ence, although his thin. shrunkel
cheeks and his cold b'ue-gray ey
left little quality of magnetism in hi
personality
CTo BE CONTINUED