The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1916-02-11


HZzFNsN>,NSnNE and the ordeal of telling
$V1rSz6ZGR oIA her great news would be
10 thus mercifully post
poned Under her adj
niration of him had always been real
fear Of his judgments, of his cld-fashioned,
narrow code concerning the place of women
in the world, of his unalterable prejudices;
fear intensified in this instance by the
knowledge of her direct disobedience of
command laid two years ago upon her.
friends with Robert Underwood, but had
gone far beyond that forbidden point
Her timId knock brought a response.
She entered softly, a certain rightly in her
slender figure, the result Of her effort at self
control. Her dark, straight brows were
drawn slightly together. Her eyes, In
which all the beauty of her romance seemed
for the moment concentrated, sought her
fathers face wistfully.
He was not figure to inspire confidence
as he bent his heavy brows over the ledger
of his domestic expenditures The sugges-
ton of granite in his hard features was
borne out by his immobile attitude and
the static look of his surroundings.
Over the fireplace hung portrait OF her
mother, pale, dehcately-featured woman,
of whom one would know instinctively that
she had always bowed to the will of her
husband, content to measure her exist
ence by the four walls of her home
FeIice resembled her in the fine chiselling
of her features, and the gardenia white
ness of her complexion; but the daughters
face possessed certain strength lacking in
the mothers.
Sheswaited until her fathers stubborn,
expressive thumb had made its slow way
down the row of figures and his lips had
ceased their soundless calculation.
May | interrupt your
He raised his head.
We'll, Felice?"
ct have come to tell you something,
Father"
"What is it, my dear7 The cook isn't
going to leave, hope"
It's something about myself.
About yourself" he repeated uneasily.
He had not always approved of his daugh-
ter since her entrance into society, for she
had frequently displayed interest in topics
no young girl of breeding should know Of
except as she knew of far-of jungles, or dark,
unvisited mines; topics such as strikes on
the East Side, and the problems of the poor.
"Well, what have you to tell me about
YOURSELF"
am engaged to be married, Father.
The color left his face for an instant.
He looked incredulous. The words, "Why,
you're only child, sprang to his lips.
Then he remembered that she was twenty
one, that she had been already two years in
society. His surprise gave way to feel
ing OF pleasure. IF the man were accept
able-and a daughter of his would, of
course, choose wisely-this was the best
possible outcome of her two years of gaiety.
He was glad that she was going thus early
to her natural destiny, for he had been
haunted of late by the fear that she would
turn into one of those strange, unclassifed
beings who wishes to reform the world, to
live her own life" divorced from all that
nature intended her to be. He knew such
women were abroad in the land, leaving, in
his opinion, their sure home-duties for vague
will-o' -the-wisps of social obligation.
$50 you're going to be married! You've
stolen march on me, Ell? Well, always
knew you would marry. The women of
our family do-thank Godl No shirkers-
no old maids among them!"
She listened, her breath coming quickly
The worst of her ordeal was yet before her
"But you may not be pleased, Father,
when you know who -
whats this?" he interrupted fercely.
"No foreigners, hope-no straw-men,
impecunious counts %
"No. He is an American" She paused,
trembling visibly. "You--you quarrelled
with his father years ago. You forbade
me-"
He turned hvid. He brought his fist
down heavily on the great desk.
"You mean Richard Underwood's son.
IT am engaged to Robert Underwood, =
she answered with quiet dignity.
The deep silence of her fathers incredu-
lous anger followed her words. When she
had been introduced to society he had given
her list of the people she was not to favor,
headed by Robert Underwood's name.
Wien she had inquired why the young man
of whom she had heard many good things
was tabooed, her father had told her briefly
of his ancient feud with Richard Under
wood, of a strong friendship turning to as
strong hatred. At the time she had only
hatf followed the intricaGes of the quarrel
It's causes, indeed, had not seemed to her
unprejudiced mind of sufficient importance
to justify nearly generation of brooding
resentment A frank word or two might
have cleared the sky. The only explana-