The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1911-07-06
The Secret of
MIR. Somerset
By LOLA VIOLA HAYS
copyright. 1910, by Associated Literary Press.

Mr.. Somerset pushed his luxuriant
auburn hair, as yet untinged with the
ashes Of age, from his wide forehead
and turned YEARLY to his daughter.
Are you still inficting that young
man upon me?" he asked with
scowl. 81 have always been consid-
cred reasonably sure Of knowing what
l want. hope that have expressed
myself plainly enough that neither
you nor this presuming young fool
need think that | want him. My as
constituent at your low taste Is only
equaled by my grief that | have lived
to see one of my race descend to the
level of trade. Your ancestors, my
dear were gentlemen"
The girl threw her head up haugh-
tily. 81 dare anyone to question Rob
ert's right to that title" she chied.
Il understand" he said cuttjngly,
that his brother-in-law is my bar.
Der"
His brother-in-law owns the shop
that you patronize," she said, shortly.
HE is not your barber nor the barber
Of anybody else, although l fail to see
why that should disgrace him. II we
are known by the company we keep,
you had better have been spending
your time In respectable barber shop
reading a paper than associating with
those old boodlers that they are going
to send to jail"
THAT is sufficient" he said, waving
his hand impatiently. ut is a waste
OF time to argue with a woman"
And, BESIDES" she broke in, eager
ly, you know Robert is an electrician
and bound to make his mark"
mot on the register Of this house.
my girl" he said. decisively. There
are plenty Of pretty shopgirls who
would be more fitted to the happiness
Of Mr.. Robert Gray than would be the
daughter of Somerset" He closed
his desk with click and left the
room.
Marion rushed to the telephone and
called up Robert.
"Oh, It's Just awful" she cried.
Don't you think that your brother-in-
law, Mr. Hamilton, might be per
suaded to sell his business and 90 into
the brokerage business like papa?
Papa thinks it is awful to be in trade"
Hamilton would send me to a SAM
tarium for treatment" he laughed, 'if
| asked him to do such thing. He's
got the best thing in town, little girl"
-but-but--It stands between
us, Robert" she wept.
What your papa wants is good
filing down." he said, wrathfully, I'm
show him a trick or two. I'll just alb
duct you and skip the city"
"I'll never never desert my dear
papa" she said, tearfully. "You must
try to win his heart, Robert"
Robert was still smiling grimly over
this bit Of pleading when he met Mr..
Somerset at the door OF the barber
shop. He gave the gentleman back
as chilly stare as he received as he
turned aside to seek his favorite bar
Der
After he had received his grooming
for the day he fastened to the private
Office where his brotherln-law held
sway. The door was locked, He tried
each OF the other doors OF the suite
In vain; they were all locked.
ITS l. Hamilton" he called at last.
I'm busy, Bob" came the answer.
come back in an hour"
Concluding to wait until Hamilton
should be at leisure, he sat down TO
read, What was his surprise to see
Mr. Somerset issue from the Office,
fresh, dapper and smiling. Following
him was Jim, the head barber.
He allus goes In there for his
shave said the porter in answer to
his exclamation OF surprise. "Old
mans mighty particular with Colonel
Somerset. He's proud OF them au-
burnt locks OF his'n. - Amt many men