Barbour County index., 1910-12-14

u
able, or wholly warm and impulsive. |
l, long as had known and loved her, |
never was quite sure. Something |
held me away, something called me !
forward; so that l was always baf- !
fed and yet always eager, God wot. (
l suppose this is the way of women. |
At times l have been impatient with !
it, knowing my own mind we'll enough. !
At least now, in my tight-strapped
trousers and my long blue coat and
my deep embroidered waistcoat and
my high stock, my shining boots and
my tall beaver. l made my way on my
well-groomed horse up to the gates
of old Elmhurst; and as rode l pom
dered and ! dreamed.
But Miss Elizabeth was not at home,
| it seemed. Her father, Mr.. Daniel
Churchill. rather portly, and now just
trifie red of face, met me instead. 1t
was not an encounter for which de-
voutly wished, but one which knew
it was the right of both of us to ex-
pect ere long. Seeing the occasion
propitious 1 plunged at once in medias
res. Part of the time explanatory.
again apologetic, and yet again, I
trust, assertive, although always blum
dering and red and awkward, l told
the father of my intended, of my own
wishes, my prospects and my plans.
He listened to me gravely and, it
seemed to me, with none of that en-
thusiasm which l would have well
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 l knew were worthy motives,
and which certainly were irresistible
of themselves, so far as l was con-
cerned, asked him if we might not
soon make an end of this, and, taking
chances as they were, allow my we'd
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, pursing up his
lips.
"Oh, of course-that," 1 answered;
Miss Elizabeth and /"
"The skeesicks!" he exclaimed. Il
thought she told me everything"
Il think Miss Elizabeth tells no one
quite everything" I ventured. 81 con-
fess she has kept me almost as much
in the dark as yourself, sir. But
only wanted to ask if, after l have
seen her to-day, and if 1 should gain
her consent to an early day, you would
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. could
not call his reception of my sugges
tion enthusiastic; but at last he
turned
81 presume that our two families
might send you young people sacl
of meal or a side of bacon now anG
then, as far as that is concerned" ht
said.
l could not call this speech joyous
There are said to be risks in an!
union, sir" 1 ventured to say. 81 ad
NIT do not follow you in contemplat
ing any risk whatever. If either yol
or your daughter doubts my loyalt!
or affection, then I should say certain
ly it were wise to end all this; but
and 1 fancied l Strengthened percepti
bly, think that might perhaps b.
left to Miss Elizabeth herself"
After all, Mr.. Dan Churchill wa
obliged to yield, as fathers have beel
obliged from the beginning of th
IN world. At last he told me 1 nigh
= take my fate in my own hands an
NJ go my way.
III Trust the instinct of lovers to brin
,e them together! l was quite confiden
Id that at that hour / should find Eliza
beth and her aunt in the big cas-
- room at the presidents reception, tn
former looking on with her uncomprt
~ missing eyes at the little pageant whic
= on reception days regularly went fol
ward there.
po My conclusion was correct foun
on boy to hold my horse in front {
a. Gautier's cafe. Then l hastened o
~ across the intervening blocks an
q through the grounds of the Whit
nd House, in which presently, havin
or edged through the throng IN the ant,
ty cHdHuSIS, IOuAu HyScn III IHdt HAL
cd procession of individuals who passe
nd by in order, each to receive the linn
re handshake, the mechanical bow an
nd the perfunctory smile of PresideI
on Tyler-rather a tall, slender-limbe
Un active man and of very decent pre-
,th ence, although his thin. shrunke
II cheeks and his cold blue-gray ey
lid left little quality of magnetism in b
20 personality.
,ar CTO BE CONTINUED,:
,th
nd Over-Zeaious In Care.
.nr Some years ago the cantain of or