The patriot. (Glenmora, La.) 1918-1955, 1919-11-07
DISAPPROvED
BY JACK LAYTON.

lage street. She walked doubtfully,
hesitating upon her way. But as the
mill path came to view, her steps quick
ened involuntarily, until her slight
figure was lost to view in the wooded
bend of the road.
High up in the sunshine stretched
a low stone wall. With smile of an
ticipation, she seated herself upon this
wall, and waited Her eager eyes
spied the man before he had reached
the bend, and was also hidden behind
1t.
He greeted her lazily. in his easy APP
proach, and touched her hand conf
DENLY as he lounged down at her side.
swell. Wild Rose" he asked, "how
goes it today"
The girl looked at him as he discard
ed his cap that the wind might lift
his dark hair.
at grows worse every day. Don,"
she replied "the home opposition |
mean. Really. today / hardly dared
come to meet you. Father is furious
over what he calls my fool infatua-
tion. Even Aunt Martha adds her in
fluence TO mothers, to turn me against
you. Why are they so unreasonable
Don? So utterly blind to your good
qualities? There is only one reason
of course" she hastily answered her
own question. their anxiety to have
me marry Philip Barton. AS if they
could expect me to love Philip, after
having known him all my life.
There is nothing they can tell me
about him which | do not already
know-his integrity, stability and all
that Why" she laughed softly. lone
can't be reasoned into love Don."
Her companion smiled.
"Nor reasoned out Of it." he said.
"Here is Philip. held up to you as
paragon. Here is my unworthy self,
showed mercilessly in ali my unworth-
| mess, yet" His eyes met hers hui
morously. "You do love me. Wild
RoseY"
81 love you" the girl repeated and
sighed. But you are nor to be allow
ed to call any more, Don. 1t humili-
ates me to tell you so. Aunt Martha
insists that playing with hearts was
your pastime Father says"
/ "Spare me what father says" the
man interrupted good naturally.
''This Philip person is to take my
/ place as visitor and escort. Is that
1 H-I nfT
where your interest is concerned" he
| added. 1.-The Philip person is establish
ed, believe, and what your aunt would
call "a good provider. II" he drew
| the girl closer-s'I am not so fortu-
/ nate, Rose. However. what do you
propose to do about it?"
"What is there that can do" she
asked piteously.
The man sat erect. his eyes mar
rowed.
/ Lack of confidence in your judgment
should be paid with lack of conf
dence," he answered tersely. .Of
course 1t is with you to decide what
you will do. In your place, should
4
feet Philip. Accept his escort or treat
him obediently well when he calls.
But" he bent to look tenderly into
the girls face. "An' You love me,
dear he quoted, continue to meet
me here. or there. or wherever may
bid you"
Philip desired home and Rose was
his idea of homemaker. But IL Rose
was serious, she was at least gracious,
and in that he found new courage.
| Philip came again. Hopefully, he
suggested driving, and Rose accepted.
So visits and drives became a habit.
| A gratifed family cautiously re-
strained their satisfaction. lest Rose
should rebel In defense Of her de-
throned lover.
i what has become of this Donald
BURNER the father secretly ques-
toned.
His wife shook her head.
"Rose has ceased to mention his
| name." she said.
BETTER So" the father replied, ''for
| while we know no bad of the man,
neither do we know any good"
The disfavored one idly driving his
own small car. occasionally passed his
sweetheart and her sutton. Always, he
smiled pleasantly, and always Philip
bestowed upon him the family glance
OF disapproval.
1t was the day when Philip drove the
girl up the steep and narrow way. that
be decided to breach to her the sub
ject OF love and marriage. SO Intent
was Philip upon his coming message,
that ne failed TO give the warning sig
nal of his coming. Then, as abruptly
he made the iurn. For one GREATNESS
i moment both man and girl saw another
| car directly in the narrow path before
| them.
Before there was time to retrace, be
fore. indeed. they barely realized their
danger. the other car, Donald BlIrnie's
car. dashed recklessly over the edge Of
the road. to the sioping brush below.
Before the other two could realize 1t,
/ the small car overturned.
III was nothing. Donald Burnle
said lazily. as he later lay swathed in
I'll - fs<ssv.