The Guthrie daily leader. [volume] (Guthrie, Okla.) 1893-1996, 1910-01-11

!,
of meek and sanity resignation hercmarkcd,
in subdued and injured tone:
"Oh, wellif YOU mast, why, 80 ahead
don'tmind me: jus 60 ahead-an leave your
poor Of dad TO 60 home alonel'
Itwas the little "Co-ed" now, who felt the
danger Of impending and complete capitula-
ton, and without another word she hurried
from the room in urgent quest Of reinforce
ments; presently she came running in again
with her chum Editha and the Colonel braced
himself for the final stand
The reinforcements boldly began the at
tack
Being pretty and winsome, and possessing
a rogush smile and merry laugh that was
absolutely irresistible, she knew instinctivcly
the necessary manpuvers to be made
Colonel" she began, in tones Of as
perity, you were thinking a few moments
ago, believe, Of leaving on the noon tran
for Texss2'
The Colonel stifiened pcroeptbly
81 moi only udS thinking amstW think
ingin fact am gon'
Going right home with you and
Flo!'
The latter parsonage had fled from The
room again, the matter nov hanging in the
balance being Of altogether too much in
portanee to permit OF her remaining with
any degree Of complacency; besides, she
knew Edith.
The reinforcements here made deter
mined advance, and captured the Colonel's
right hand
Nov sec here, Coloncl,D she began
beseechngly, "you arc going to let Flo
have these few days Of pleasure, aren't
youl"
Silence on the part Of the resisting forces;
attack renewed
You know when you wrote that letter to-
10 Joe Fleming it hurt her, loo; she isn't
happy now--in spite OF all her brave efforts
10 appear SO, now tell me, don't YOU tank She
really deserves"
The Colonel was on his feet in an Instant
observes i'll Of course she deserves it! an
ii had as much fcelin' an heart in me as a
miserable, sr.e4kin' coyote, I'd
"But you have, Colonel! I'm sure you
have as much hearts, as a eoyete"
He dropped back into his chair, and ior a
moment sat gazing At her in astonishment;
then suddenly he broke into roar OF laughter
that fairly shook the windows,
You've wonl" he exclaimed heartily,
when he had rrgained his composure =" an
no@, while Flo isn't here, want to talk with
YOU little while about her"
A look Of infinite sadness came over his
face as he dTe@ bis chair close 10 Edith, and
began softly and earnestly:
Last nightwl en- saw my little girl up
there on the Stage al dressed in white =.
SO sweet an innun--there came a sudden
pain in nv heart she looked SO like
her mothei tn our weddingdayl =.
the little mother who died so many years ago,
when Flo was just baby ltwas the same
dear eyes lookin' down upon me-the same
sweet face. only--that other face
was happy then an it seemed to me that in
spite Of all the music, an flowers, an pretty
dresses an all-iny little girl wasn't happy;
an the thought came over me that perhaps
perhaps was to blamel"
He paused and looked far away through
the open window for a moment, then resumed
softly:
II know I'm rough an abrupt an all
that: but mean well; an I've tried to
do right by the poor little mothcrless girl
best | knew how God knows ia
gladly die to make her happy: an I've
only made herArnhappyl She hasn't said
word to me about Joe Fleming-an |
thought perhaps she was beginnin to for
get about him, until | saw the sadness in
her face last night Doesn't she doesn't
she ever go with any Of the others since
he leftl"
Realizing that the conversation was assum'
ing a serious trend which would require some
tact and diplomacy on her part to maintain
to the best advantage Of all parties concerned
, Edith did not at once respond, the Colone
waited patiently
She never docs" she replied at length
"Flais a queer girl sometimes | think don
, understand her myself"
".An' she doesn't correspond with an,
one2"
/; "Well yes:' was the somewhat guarde'
/ reply. ~she writes 10 one man" Then sh
added gayly, ~Aud isn't it funny she call
/, him her ardihal Queer nickname, ish'tit
4 Do YOU suppose he is studying for the clerg
. ,- s,,,athn0 tile that ?"
a suppose, replied the Colonel absent,
i every likely he IS"
e How FUNNY
Al, she seems to like hin2"
!, We'll Of ofcotrse youncyer can tell--but
siie does soilrr