The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1921-06-10
THE INFLUENCE
BY moLLIE MATHER.
60. 1871. western Newspaper UniOnj

NiIu ab hCA blAtu. Aldu WAS EelltNeu
in the thought that his chIla's future
would be secure In sisters care. TIL
da. the elder sister. had raised him
In his orphanage and Tilda would be
competent 10 raise his daughter, so
thought Alan; but he had not counted
upon the difficult temperament OF his
child Josephine.
Josephine's mother had grown up
in the vicinity. and when Tilda APP
proved OF their comradeship. and ap-
proved also. OF the first JosephIne's
domestic ability and gentle manners.
Alan conceded heartily with her views.
and his early marriage followed. Jo-
sephine. the daughter. grown TO early
young womanhood, possessed neither
her mothers domestic tastes nor amen
ability. Josephine was adventurous,
she had views, and she was apt TO be
interrogative. Alan. travelling afar up
on business interests which carried
him, grew vaguely troubled. Tilda's
complaint. upon HE home coming. was
that of new friendship In which her
| charge persisted.
ut seems" Tilda told her brother.
that the affair has been going on
longer than l suspected. Probably
this intimacy is responsible for many
of Josie's wild views. An infatuation
/ call IT,"
"A man?" her brother impatIently
| questioned.
MY, no." Tilda replied. 81 almost
wish IL were a man, he would probably
knock some OF the nonsense out OF
the girls head; Josie's divinity is
woman. mysterious sort OF person
who has rented the Wells bungalow
for the summer. She looks like
motion picture actress, and spends her
time playing the harp. selecting 10
notice no person I'm town save Josie.
Why Josie, i have been unable 10 de-
| termine.
"DlsagreeableT' again the father In
terrupted with question.
mo" Tilda honestly replied. ION the
contrary Josie appears unusually sweet
and reasonable. The trouble is, that
one wild notion persists. She will
study the harp. Alan. wish you would
see that woman yourself and speak
TO her concerning her mistaken infiu-
ence over Josephine. She would prob
ably listen TO a man. but when I
called"
you called" interposed the brother.
Tilda nodded.
II thought II was my duty. Josie
| positively refused 10 obey when / or
dered her not to go 10 the woman's
house again. For LET me assure you
that the people here think very little
OF such a stranger. When / called
she was making a picture of herself
draped before her harp in a greek
sort OF robe. and when / reproved
her regarding the notion she had put
in Josephines head. she was as sweet
ly and stubbornly insistent as the
child"
Josephine really should be given
her opportunity, she said So / came
away. There is no use trying TO for
bid your daughter this companionship
Alan. but perhaps the young woman
may respect your wishes"
Alan hesitated, then decided that IL
would be wise 10 have some knowledge
of his daughters new found friend.
Josephine was making one OF her daily
visits at the bungalow. IL would appear
quite the natural thing TO call to see
her home. So Alan went Josephine
greeted him in the garden, she was
proud of her handsome father and led
him forth jubilantly.
Janet" she called, "Janet come
here"
At sight Of a white-clad figure in
the doorway, Alhn's disappearing
frown vanished while Josephine stared
In surprise from one 10 the other.
For her fathers quick cry had been
"Janey, my DEAR" while her friend
ran I'm a little rush toward him.
you will not be displeased, will
you Alan" she was saying, because
/ stole a march on you and hurried
on TO meet Josie / wanted TO win
your daughters heart you see. before
she should know me under the unfor-
tunate name Of stepmOther. You were
far away Alan. II really seemed the
most acceptable way Of spending my
time. And have discovered a secret
for you. one that will not keep another
moment Your daughter has great
musical ability. Alan. i am very GER
tain of this. and you must give her
an opportunity"
But" murmured Josephine, II do
not understand"
"Of course you don't" penitently
Janet's arms EMBODIED her.
1T means dear, that your father and
I met some time ago. quite acciden-
tally, when he called concerning q
certain suit for damages Ny little
brother. Laddle. had been almost Grip
pied by recklessly driven automobile.
and the suit was brought In order to
enable us to procure the best pos
sible surgical skill"
And while The suit was pending"
Alan added. land the little brother
lay In the hospital. this girl whom I
learned 10 love. took the harp which
had been her pastime and with II.
gave recitals here and there. so that
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