Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1911-07-15

rider turned into the yard, with an
eager shout at the sight OF Alice. A
fine looking young fellow was Bob
Phillips IN his natty riding toys. sit
ting his saddle with the ease OF a
westerner. Ana a charming figure
was Alice in the doorway with the
color deepening In her cheeks, her
great dark eyes Frightening and the
dimples coming to the corners OF her
mouth.
"oh. Bob" she cried as he dismount-
ed and tied his horse, i've been wish
ing for you. Everything is so topsy
turvy In this horrid placer
Bob looked anxious. lis It your ia
Their again2" he asked as he drew her
down on the step beside him. Alice
told him of her mornings experience.
Bob's face darkened.
Look here. Alice" he exclaimed,
"I'm not going to stand this. l knew
things were pretty bad. but never
knew you had to do this sort of work."
He took her hand and looked at the
pretty pink palm with the row of Bills
ters across It. I'm not going to say
any of the things to you that l think
about your father. But this is going
to stopi This architect business Is
slow In starting. but I've got enough
to keep the pot boiling. I'm on my
way out to the SCOTS summer home
now. They want me to plan an addi-
ton for them. But tonight I'm COM
ing back to tell your father that we
are going to be married at once"
Alice shook her head a little fearful
ly mo. Bob. DEAR" she said. II
can't leave mother that way. and l
want to finish college first. No; ia
Their has got to change. There is no
sense In his acting so to such dear
as you"
Bob grinned appreciatvely as he
drew her to him. but he lost none of
his look of determination. That's all
very well. Alice. darling. but I've a
few rights. and after supper I'm COM
ing back and read the riot act to your
. father"
Alice sighed. Then she nodded her
head. "Yes. come back. don't know
just how, but some way I'm going to
shame father"
Don't you worry" said Bob T'n
fix him"
AS Bob disappeared Alice's glance
wandered toward the broad stump OF
a tree that stood in the dooryard. AS
she looked her eyes lighted with
mlschievous smile. Then she began
her preparations for supper In a
short time she appeared in the yard
with two covered dishes in her hands.
These she placed on the top of the old
stump. where the sun blazed down on
their shining covers. Then she return
ed to the house and set the table.
The hay wagon ratified into the yard.
"Well." called Mr.. Humphrey. seeing
Alice in the door. isn't supper ready
Alice looked anxiously toward the
old stump. I'm afraid things have
not begun to boil yet" she answered.
Mr.. Humphrey looked at the strange
array of utensils on the stump. "Al.
ice," he said. what nonsense is thisT
at means just this" answered Alice
bravely. "You refuse to buy wood for
us. and this noon you forbade me to
destroy any more of your property. So
when 1t came time to get supper the
stump seemed the hottest place at
hand, and ! put the vegetables out
there to let nature take its course. It
is much easier for me-"
Mr.. Humphrey stood in silence Al
ice watched him anxiously. Slowly the
angry flush died away, and the corners
of his mouth twitched. He turned to
the man. who had been an interested
spectator.
"Jim," he said. you might as well
finish up the old hayrack Split up
enough wood to get supper with"
Then he walked into the house with
never SO small twinkle In his eyes.
That evening as Alice and her father
sat on the steps waiting for Mrs. Hum
phrey's return Mr.. Humphrey broke
the silence
i've been thinking It over. Alice"
he said. "and-and-well, l guess ia
Their has been negligent of his two
girls. You see, l didn't realize how
hard some things are for women folks.
Now. do you suppose you could plan
"a porch or "a window or some
thing?" he asked vaguely. And well
surprise your mother on her birthday"
For q moment there was silence;
then he heard a low sob beside him.
he reached out an awkward hand and
drew his daughter toward him.
"Why, little girl" he said. II didn't
know 1t meant so much to you"
Alice nestled against bis shoulder.
'It means more than a porch" she
sobbed; 1T means that, after all. you
are nice. like other fathers"
Mr.. Humphrey cleared his throat.
''And I've been thinking, Alice" he
went on. that I've been hard on Bob.
A rough old fellow like me gets preju.
diced against these college chaps
When you finish school and Bob gets
a start well. you'll lind that father
wants you to be happy after ALL"
,E. n, . G.r,a IS cha.a