Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1912-12-11

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:sZ "Never mind, ia
ther," interrupted
the smiling girl, eff it has one dia-
snond less that you wished, I'll survive
the shock"
'If it were only that! Paula, I
fhave always respected your common
sense too highly to deceive you about
business matters, so I will not con-
.ceal from you that the Casten deal
went against me, and ! am penniless.
Every newspaper in town will have
the details within a few days. I am
an old man and do not care, but natu-
rally my keenest regret is for you.
though nobody can say that your old
daddy didn't give up every cent he
possessed for what he knew to be
right and Just"
Paula covered her eyes with her
hand, while the father watched her
sanxiously.
Don't take It hard, dearie," he
begged. We'll not starve, though 1t
will be struggle for a while"
Father" she said calmly. II am
mot taking 1t hard; I was only won
.dering how much we could scrape to-
igether to continue fighting. Men Hike
iCasten have no right on this earth.
I'm ashamed to admit 1t, but as far as
4 am concerned. I'm glad, truly glad.
It's blow for you. but don't worry
tabout me. You know always desired
ito make my own way, but it's next to
Impossible for rich mans daughters.
Then when I had to take mothers
place, my hands were too full. All ]
icare about is that we get enough to
sgo after Casten. There's Christmas
party. at Barham's tonight. but I'd
Z Father stay here and talk things over
tEith you"
"Pollie girl, you have no ides how
you have lightened my worry" said
tMr. Mercer huskily. "I know you'd
rather not, but by all means go to
3 tyonr party. It's most important that
fhe true state of affairs Is not sus.
\ pected until absolutely necessary. I'll
spend the evening across the street
with Judge Simms. When your moth.
er was alive, the Judge and his wife
and she and I never failed to cele-
,:brate Christmas eve together, and
they'd be hurt IL stayed away"
: Paula kissed him absently an5 ran
upstairs to dress. She was far from
Understanding the disaster, and the
suddenpess of 1t startled her.
"It's one thing to talk about earn
ing your living and another thing to
ado It" she told herself, "Fou are
s9ecess SO far because you are your
fathers daughter. It'll mean hard
work. Still, work overcomes heart.
aches and teaches one to forget!
She brushed the powder-puff across
her nose, and descended At the door
of the library stood Mr. Mercer.
ST forgot to tell you, Paula, that l
found it necessary to put DR.. Graft
in possession Of the facts"
Paula turned away at mention of
Ehe young physician. and started tow
ards the door.
SOOO-ulSuI, uGdIlS-udSS july
,fime!" called her father.
Z Paula swept into the waiting auto.
5 Hnobile and settling down for the long
Erive into the suburbs, rapidly evolved
numerous plans, meanwhile noting the
Christmas gayety on all sides. The
children returning from beIated shoI.
ping or sightseeing tours. and min
gled with their merry voices were the
subdued conversations Of their elders.
The sparkling snow, sleighbells,
bright lights and holiday decorations
struck a sympathetic note In her
heart. The huge motor purred softly,
and as Paula reached up to arrange
the rich red ribbons which held holly
wreat,.s against the glass doors and
windows, her conscience smote her
because Of her real gladness.
I'm forgetting what it means to
poor father" she soliloquized TITS
no fun for a man of his age to start
all over again"
q quick stop threw her on the floor,
and by the time she had regained her
feet and jumped out to investigate,
the chauffeur was lifting a PROSTATE
body from beneath the wheels. An
Rwed crowd gathered swiftly. The
chauffeur was exonerated from blame,
as several men had seen the little
newsboy run in front of the automo-
i bile and slip and fall on the snowy
street.
That's Tim Brownie lives in
Rose alley-just over there, ma'am,"
volunteered another white-faced
newsy. STOPPING to pick up the scat
tered papers.
I'll take him home" announced
Paula bravely.