The Pageland journal. [volume] (Pageland, S.C.) 1911-1978, 1914-11-18
FOUND her HIMSELF
BY MARTHA M'cULLocH.WIL..
llAMS.
Copyright. 1914, by the Mcclure Nswspa-
per Syndicate.)

begat one another to the end Of the
chapter?'" Phil asked earnestly, his
brow puckered deeply, his fingers
moist.
He loved granny dearly-there were
to read to her. But the begats! There
his hating tongue always got him In
trouble.
Commonly Phil was as docile as
today he was restive. What boy Of
twelve wouldn't have been restive
with all the school streaming past to
the big lot, where the home nine Of
big boys was to play of match
with a nine from town?
So when granny shook her head,
saying almost sternly. Read on" he
In spite of his twelve years. Tears
blinded him. his choking throat re-
fused utterance. He dropped the Tes-
lament and dug fists into his blinking
eyes. Granny stared at him unseeing,
but her ears told her his distress.
She was about to speak when Lisa
and Nancy burst in, crying breathless-
ly, "Oh, goody! Phil hasn't gone
Mother says If he'll take US we can
go to the game"
The Acton twins were just his age,
and lived near enough to be playfel-
lows.
"Phil's cryin'! What for!" Lisa e1-
claimed.
Granny cleared her throat. II sup
pose 1t is because he hates reading to
poor old blind woman" she said re-
bukingly. I'LL pray the good Lord not
to remember and visit 1t on him."
"I-I-you know-.I-" Phil STAN
mered with an appealing look at Lisa.
She laughed outright-he fed pre-
cipitately-not toward the lot, but his
haven Of refuge, the hay NOW.
Nancy found him there, and coaxed
him to come forth. She had made 1t
right with granny-would stay her
self and read to her. Phil and Lisa
might be in time If they only hurried.
He could not look at her; his heart
was too full-nor see her, his eyes
were too dim. But in his mind she
shaped herself anew as the most COM
forting and beautiful creature ever
made.
Times whirligig took Phil far from
the home OF his boyhood. At seven
and twenty he was as handsome and
promising a young lawyer as the
town Of Exmouth could boast. His
uncle, the Judge. had taken him there
after granny died, adopted him. sent
him through college, and taken him
into partnership in reward for win
ming first honors at the law school.
Just one thing more, son." he had
said when Phil first sat down oppo.
Zn in the private ONCE. Get
married. Quick. want to play with
your children q good while before I
die"
From the Judge this was astound-
Ing. He had been held almost child
hater. Those so holding did not know
the truth-that he had buried his
heart In the grave Of another mans
wife She had left behind a daughter
almost her image. What so natural
as that the Judge should scheme hope
rully to make her the mate of his
adopted son? Craftily, Of course. He
was too wise for open speech in the
matter. Phil would, he knew, feel
bornd to follow his wishes. His bow
must be happy in his own way. Be-
sides, Evelyn was 50 charming.
Notwithstanding Phil went scathc-
less; played best man When Evelyn
married, and even forbore TO kiss the
bride.
That night he said to the judge,
whose disappointment he had some
how sensed: please, sir, forgive me.
But, you see. Evelyn was a dead ring
er for my first sweetheart. Let me
tell you the story. then you'll under.
stand how am immune to the EVELYN
type"
The Judge laughed uproariously over
the telling 1t ran through all the
tauntings, teasings and small humili.
atoms Phil had had to endure at that
Asa's hands.
why don't you take me out to the
''d place? I'd love to ass where you
played as little boy" said the Judge.
Thus 1t fell out that month later
Judge Gregory and his nephew
knocked at the Acton door. Mrs. Ac-
ton opened 1t. and looked at them
questioningly, but before they could
speak tall. slender young woman
with blue eyes and an infantine smile
preoipitated herself upon them crying.
Phil! I'd know you In the middle of
Africa. Come right in. want to
show you my baby"
I call that rubbing It in" Phil
said smiling. How do you know I
nave not come back to marry you?"
Lisa shook her fist at him. saying.
with a grimace: "Oh, / outgrew Won