The enterprise. [volume] (Harlem, Mont.) 1899-1926, 1910-09-08
Choosing a Stepmother
By GERALD PRIME
Copyright. 1910. by Associated Literary Press

ociated Literary Press
1t as they sat on the boathouse We
randa after dinner.
And i've been fishing every day
for a week ard haven't caught
thing" she added so pathetically
that, all unseen in the dark, Bob
kicked his fathers foot to call his
attention to 1t.
Don't you get any htes?" asked
the artist ingenuously.
II hardly know. Sometimes have
fancied that l was getting quee7
little nibble, don't you know, but
nothing comes Of it"
Remember the advice of the I'M
mortal Sir Isaak-'Persevere ano
keep on persevering,' counseled
Bob .wickedly.
Perhaps | will follow Sir lzaak's
! advice" she said, rising. I'm the
meantime am going to play lot OF
Schumann for your father accord
ing to my promise of this morning
He's the only person in the camp
whose musical taste scars above rag
time"
Il don't mind Schumann at all
when-when I'm in good health
Bob protested.
For an entire week the subject
which had been brought to such
sudden interruption by the pickerel
was not resumed. Hope Terriss was
the life of the camp, and even old
Mrs. Vechton, who had ceased long
ago to speak in unqualified praise OF
anybody or anything on the foot
stool, was greatly taken with her.
and admitted it openly.
THAT girl is of the right sort
she declared. shes got more man
ner and more common sense than all
the rest of us combined. She's the
real thing. Don't you agree with me,
Mr.. Hunter?"
And Bob-who CHANGED to be the
Mr. Hunter addressed, his father and
Hope having gone for stroll into
the village-had the effrontery to
reply, languidly:
Miss Terriss-oh, yes, quite so-a
trife youngish, don't you think
Excellent society for father"
young jackanapes!" the old Won
an muttered as Bob disappeared
around the end of the veranda. Hes
completely gone on the girl Pity he
hasn't some of his fathers good looks
and attractive manner"
That night as they fingered on the
boat house veranda after the others
had retired the artist and his sor
were discussing the latters business
prospects.
ITO hear you talk, Dan," the young
man laughed between vigorous draws
of his pipe, which was not behaving
it's best, lone who did not know you
might think that you were contem
plating something serious"
"F'or instance, Bob?"
well, providing me with brant
! new stepmother."
Better stop that business, Bob,
counseled his father seriously. "Sue
gestion plays strange tricks now AM
| then"
| "Then l wish suggestion woul'
| get busy. Only let me choose ne
| and everything will be WELL
} On the morning of the day appoint
ed for the breaking up OF the cam
q Bob and Miss Terriss were in earnes
conversation in a secluded corner {
~ the veranda.
cts come to a climax" croake
~ Mrs. Vechton to herself and to an
one else who happened to be With
-, hearing.
y DO you recognize this hand:
Hope asked serenely. holding an el
>, velope before .Bob'a eyes.
> II ought to- he returned promp
70 ". Dad must have helped himse
= to my stationery"
:, 1T contains proposition to b
a. come your stepmother," she CO.
y tinued. without looking at him an
- entirely without embarrassment.
-. Noble old DAM" he cried raptu
:. ously. "He's the salt of the earth
-, What would you advise me
do?
49, Accept Internationally"
- 81 shall impose one condition." 81
said with a flush that made h
W charming. "You are to leave off ca
ing him Dan. 1t isn't respectful"
. AS an earnest of his intention
w comply with her terms he kissed he
90 90 What did l tell you?" demand
ny Mrs. Vechton, who accepted what 81
g. saw as a confirmation of her W
W. dom in such matters.
w, Burn AduIterated Stuff.
~ Many hundreds of dollars worth