The Chickasha daily express. (Chickasha, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1899-current, 1914-10-16
FOUND HER HIMSELF
.By MARTHA McuLLocH-wIL-,
LiAMS.

Copyright. 1914. by the Mcclure Newspa-
nar Svndicafal .lI

He loved granny dearly-there were
parts of the Bible he loved likewise
to read to her. But the begatsi 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 off match
with nine from town?
So when granny shook her head,
saying almost sternly, Read on.' he
tried to be obedient. but broke down
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.
"Phils cryin'? What for?" Lisa ex-
claimed.
Granny cleared her throat 81 sup
pose it is because he hates reading to
a poor old blind woman" she said re-
bukingly. "I'll pray the good Lord not
to remember and visit it on him."
'I-I-you KNOW" 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 NOV.
Nancy found him there, and coaxed
/ him to come forth. She had made it
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
site him in the private Office Get
married. Quick. l want to play with
your children a good while before
die"
From the Judge this was astound
ing. He had been held almost a 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
fully 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
bound to follow his wishes. His boy
must be happy in his own way. Be
sides, Evelyn was SO charming.
Notwithstanding Phil went seattle
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-
ations Phil had had to endure at that
Lisa's hands.
WHY don't you take me out to the
old place? I'd love to see 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 it, and looked at them
questioningly, but before they could
speak a tall, slender young woman
with blue eyes and an infAntine smile
precipltated herself upon them crying,
Phil I'd know you in the middle of
Africa. Come right in. want to
show you my baby"
Il call that rubbing 1t in," Phil
said smiling. How do. you know
have not come backA to marry you?"
Lisa shook her fist at him, saying,
with grimace. "Oh, outgrew you
ten years back at least-but know
just the young person for you. !"
Phil did not answer He was star
ing hard at a vision. Just within the
living room door was a woman, nei-
ther tall nor short, with clear, pale skin
and lucent green-gray eyes, cverhung
by smooth masses OF shining chestnut
hair. Her face had fresh look-as
Of one whom time had passed by
He went toward her with outheld
hands. breathing rather than saying.
+Nancyi'
She put her hands In his clasp. They
uoro xffo1fr, fhrf1Ifwr ITo1it.<~ 49,.