The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1910-11-23

self was very genial man. He was
getting to that age when he didn't
remember people and names as well as
he had, and it troubled him. He looked
up at the young man and said
"Yes, | do perfectly. How do you
do? 1 haven't met you for some
time"
How are Mrs. Manning and Miss
Katherine?'
every well, very well indeed They
are away just now, and / am alone in
that deuced big house"
81 expect to be alone myself this
evening. | wish you would help me
through it by dining with me"
II? Oh, no! couldn't do that. I
have an engagement. But you might
dine with me. / shall not have TO
spend more than half an hour with
the other one"
you're very kind I'll dine with
you with pleasure"
Dreading the Interview in which he
was expected to give away his own
dear little Kit, whom he had loved,
honored and obeyed since childhood.
Mr.. Manning was pleased that he
would have an excuse to cut the in
terview short. Before reaching their
station he had told OF his daughters
engagement-he couldn't keep from
speaking of q subject that absorbed
him-and informed his unknown ac-
quaintance that he had no doubt the
man she was to marry would prove
especially displeaslng to him.
at dinner the young man was SYM
pathetic and said he didn't really see
how a father could bear to part with
his child, especially so lovely girl as
Katherine This touched the old mans
heart. and 1t went right straight out
to the young one. A bottle Of wine at
dinner cheered the father bit, and he
felt so much better for 1t that he told
the butler to bring another. The
young man-Mr. Manning tried indi-
rectly to find out his name, but failed
did everything in his power 10 cheer
his host avowing that If any man
asked for his daughter he would kick
him out Of the house.
BY the time the second bottle had
been finished the old gentleman had
become quite mellow. Suddenly he
looked at the clock. "Half past g."
he exclaimed, land the chump hasn't
turned up yet! l only hope he's been
iilled on the wayw
''But think how hard that would be
IN Miss Kittie."
An hour passed, and the expected
party had not arrived.
William" called Mr.. Manning, '1ock
the front door and IL any one calls say
I've gone to bed"
That's a capital plan,' suggested
the guest. "If you could keep him out
long enough you might get rid Of him
forever Now that he can't get in to-
night to interrupt me, I'll tell you a
secret. I've long loved your daughter
myself"
you don't mean IT,"
Il do, and that she should marry
any one else would Kill me- That's the
reason 1 sympathize so heartily with
you"
81 wish I'd known It: 1 might have
helped you along"
"As to the man she is to marry,
sssure you he's unworthy Of her"
"Are you sure Of IT."
Perfectly
"Oh, good gracious. what shall dor
Help me to beat him. It's long been
a tie between us"
"HOwg'
"Give me a letter to her stating that
If she must marry any one you viii
only consent that she marry me. She
thinks more Of you than any lover and
you can easily turn the scale"
by Jove, I'll do It"
Half an hour later the young man
left with a letter to Miss Manning
from her father stating that the bearer
would be his choice for her husband.
In due time a reply came:
Dearest Papa - Pm so glad you ara
pleased with Archie He tolls me he met
sou on the train and dined with YOU.
Your loving KIT.
by thunder exclaimed the old
gentleman. .'How he DID play It on