Tensas gazette., 1912-05-10
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4
not only held It intact. but extended
It, until I had been brought up and
trained to Ill his place. She never
sets out to do thing nntil she has be
slowed due consideration upon 1t. but
when she does set out, sne Is a splen-
did example in singleness of purpose.
She Is Set upon this marriage. and
confess I haven't the nerve to try to
turn her aside"
my report Is much the same" ad-
mitted the girl Il simply do not know
how to go about dissuading father. He
is like your mother. He never does a
thing without thinking carefully upon
it."
We'll. we won't give up the ship
yet" he said. And now let us put
dull care aside and enjoy q social
chat"
MacwilIAms made other calls upon
Miss Mason to report progress and to
receive reports of progress. as he
said, but their reports bore mainly
upon the progress made by the older
folks in their preparations for their
marriage.
1T begins to look as II We shall sim
ply stand aside without protest and
let them marry each other" said Miss
Mason dolefully one evening when the
wedding day was not far on; "and all
because neither OF US has SUFFICIENT
courage to tell them q few truths
they are both old enough to know"
"Oh, come now." said MacWilliams.
They are not committing crime.
Don't you think, sometimes that we
are a mite selfish In our attitude to-
ward them? Isn't II true. after all.
that aside from our prejudices. the
match is a desirable one IN every par
ticular? Remember. they are not In
their dotage; they are just in the
prime of life. Neither has yet reached
fifty. They wouldn't be rash in an
ticipating many happy years to
gether."
John Macwilliams!" exclaimed the
girl Whatever has come over your
You talk as If you were in favor OF
It."
81 am" he admitted shamelessly. Il
know it sounds like rank heresy; but
have thought 1t over, and ! wish to
say that am glad it is going to hap
pen"
Would you mind telling me why?"
she asked coldly.
Because. Janet, It will make you
my little sister. never had a sister.
and the idea Of getting you for one
Is mighty pleasing. Don't you want
me for q brotherT
The girl pondered deeply over this.
"Of course, do. john" she said
finally. i've always wanted broth
er SO badly. and I feel that you will
make splendid big brother. de-
clare ! feel almost reconciled to IA
ther's marrying. now"
The wedding day Of the older folks
came, and after being married amid
much pomp and ceremony, they de-
part on their honeymoon. blissfully un-
aware OF the fact that their thank
less offspring had schemed to pre-
vent It That evening John called upon
Janet.
@Good evening. little sister," was
bis greeting.
"How do you do. big brother?"
"And now stand here In front Of
me and let me look at you." he COM
manded, after she had said It. at has
taken me twenty-five years to acquire
a sister. you know. and. naturally, l
want to make sure that the goods is
up to the sample"
1T certainly is" he continued. after
an admiring inspection. "The good
Lord was generously inclined when
you were born. little girl-and now
for a brotherly kiss"
There was a struggle. and she
sprang away from him with her
cheeks afame.
THAT is carrying our make-believe
too far, john" she said, half In anger.
half In sorrow. 'If you are going to
act that way. l don't think shall like
you in the role of brother"
"And I am quite certain that shall
not like the role" he replied.
81 am glad you have come to your
senses"
81 have. Surely you know. Janet.
that that was a lovers kiss. little
girl"
The angry flame In her face was su-
perseded by a softer glow.
Does that make II any less helm
ous? he asked.
She was silent
Does it?" he persisted.
"Yes: far less" was her murmured
reply.
And shall we soon follow the excel
lent example our elders set for us?"
he asked. taking her IN his arms.
yes. big brother" she almost whis-
pered isn't 1t terrible that we ever
thought OF interfering with those two
old dears7"
"On the contrary. it's blessing that
We did: for It brought me-you." was
his answer.
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