The herald., 1920-01-29
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
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
II.
He greeted her lazily, in his easy ap-
proach, and touched her hand conf
IDENTIFY, 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.
1T grows worse every day, Dom"
she replied, "the home opposition
mean. Really, today l hardly dared
come to meet you. Father is furious
over what he calls my fool infatua-
ton Even Aunt Martha adds her in
fuence 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 IL they
could expect me to love Philip, after
having known him all my life.
There is nothing they can tell me
about him which I do not already
know-his integrity, stability and all
that. Why" she laughed softly, zone
can't be reasoned into love Dom"
Her companion smiled.
"Nor reasoned out of it." he said.
Here is Philip, held up to you as
q paragon. Here is my unworthy self,
showed mercilessly in all my unworth-
mess, yet" His eyes met hers hu-
morously. "You do love me, Wild
Rose?"
Il love you" the girl repeated and
sighed. "But you are NOT 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 naturedly.
This Philip person is to take my
place as visitor and escort. Is that
the idea? Not q bad idea either,
where your interest is concerned" he
added. THE Philip person is establish
ed, believe, and what your aunt would
call "a good provider.' l." he drew
the girl closer-T 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, I should
take the desired interest in this per-
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 a 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 gratified family cautiously re-
strained their satisfaction, lest Rose
should rebel In defense of her do
throned lover.
what has become Of this Donald
BurnieT the father secretly cues
doned.
His wife shook her head.
Rose has ceased to mention his
,ame," 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
'wn small car, occasionally passed his
and her sutton. Always, he
miled pleasantly. and always Philip
BESTOWED upon him the family glance
4 disapproval. Il
1t was the day when Philip drove the
irl up the steep and narrow way. thar
e decided to breach to her the sub
ect Of love and marriage. So intent
vas Philip upon his coming message,
hat he failed to give the warning sig
al OF his coming. Then, as abruptly
e made the turn. For one brcathless
,oment both man and girl saw another
ar directly in the narrow path before
hem.
Before there was time to retrace. be-
ore, indeed, they barely realized their
anger, the other car, Donald Burnie's =
az, dashed recklessly over the edge of
ne road. to the sloping brush below.
efore the other two could realize It.
he small car overturned.
1T was nothing" Donald Burnie
aid lazily, as he later lay swathed in
andages. mo use In all of us being