Highland recorder. (Monterey, Highland County, Va.) 1877-1972, 1912-06-07

hand upon my arm, do you kno" l
look upon you as so nearly one u
us"
Thank you, judge!" said feeling
". BY Jove. it was devilish comfy TO
have her father so jolly friendly ABOUT
it!
THAT I'm just going to ask you to
excuse me from llnching with YOU
know you'll understand, my boy!-so
Internally busy, you see!'
| didn't see. though he had been
saving this all morning. But as he
seemed to think he was busy, wasn't
going to make any dashed break con-
traGicting him, you know. So pre-
tended l did see.
Thank you-thank you, my boy!
He patted me on The back. And as
you'll have an opportunity of seeing
little more of that charming girl, MISS
Kirkland" Charming girl, indeed!
I wondered what he would think, II
ne knew of her designs on poor JACK!
II want you to go in for her a bit
cultivate her little; you may change
your opinion-eh?" He laughed SOFT
ly and paused in our progress through
the library TO dig me sharply in the
side. Go ahead-tlirt with her, my
boy! She will like tall girls do,
and It will do you good; do both OF
YOU good" The Old boy beamed at
me over his glasses as he vented
horrible chuckle: didn't seem to no
tice how painfully shocked l was.
A Irritation, indeed! And with the
trump, of all others! OF course he
was just having his little joke, and
didn't seem to realize what devilish
poor taste he exhibited as the father
of my darling.
Thank you,' | said rather coldly,
'but | don't think that-er-sort OF
thing would show much consideration
for Frances-and"
Rubbish" And. by Jove, how he
laughed! do you think Francis would
show any consideration for your
he snapped his finseis. i think you're
a bit too quixotic, young mani"
I didn't know-don't know now;
never was up on any OF those legal
terms. He knew what he meant!
"Pshaw, now!' he went on, "if that's
what's restraining you, you must drop
it! | want you to have a pleasant
time while you are here with Miss
Kirkland-get along with you!"-then
he pulled me back again-"You
needn't be thinking about the slight
est obligation so far as Francis Is
concerned. Why should you when the
affair is all one-sided?"
"One-one-sided?" l repeated falter-
ingly.
Why, Yes; the girl doesn't care for
anybody in the whole world except her
old fathel-and he idolizes her!"
Oh, did he!
$50 you go on in there and loosen
up-have a good time-and make her
have one; and keep it up this after
noon. I'm so anxious for you to find
something to interest and occupy
YOU" His glance dropped an instant
to the papers and law books as though
wishing he had something better with
which to occupy himself. Besides"
he added carelessly, Francis won't
be here to see what you do-gone Of
with Scoggins up somewhere in the
hills-big dog-Es;ht up there and Fran
els took four ours, Scrcgg!ns two
they won't be back till night-so e.
ahead"
| But 1 had caught the back Of a
chair.
'Dog-fght?" I said family. Frances
up in the hills-and-and with Scog.
gins?" And she had only left me a
half-hour ago!
why, certainly" he said YEARLY.
almost testify. What of it? l tell
you you've got to get your ideas all
readjusted about Francis. What's the
matter with the dog-fght?"
$3.50 surprised" l faltered; so
unexpected, you know!"
'Poof!"-and he pushed me out
through the doorway-'I never face
| anything unexpected in that quarter"
But think he would have, If he had
followed me across into the dining
room and had faced, as l did
Frances!
$50 glad you didn't go to the dog
fight" 1 said presently, beaming
across at her delightedly.
Her sweet lips glowed at me as her
dainty fingers poised the tiny trident
! before her lips. Joye, how / envied
| that jolly oyster! Then she smiled
witchingly, teasingly.
1T wasn't because l didn't have an
invitation" she responded archly.
knew! That beast, Scoggins!
"Umph," grunted the trump, seated
| on the curve between us. Il verify
/ believe Francis would go to any.
thing!"
scowled-couldn't help it, dash it.!
And Frances saw, and ducked her
: head, biting her lip and blushing.
could have choked the trump for SO
embarrassing her!
Yet the woman did try to be pleas
ant to nae.
did you ever find a pearl In an
oyster, Mr.. Lightnut?" she asked.
''By Jove, no." said, staring at her
for the fool question. For who could
ever lose pearl in jolly oyster,
don't you know? And yet, the next
instant:
Il have!" said my darling, glancing
up at me the oldest way.
Have you, Frances?"-the trump
fapo6 hor intaraptadly Hyo,, chould