The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1921-04-15
THE INFLUENCE
BY moLLIE MATTER.


would be secure in sisters care Til
ola. the elder sister, had raised him
In his orphanage and Tilda would be
competent TO 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 Tild3 APP
proved of their comradeship. and APP
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 his home coming. was
that OF new friendship in which her
charge persisted.
1T 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
l call it."
a MANI" her brother impatiently
questioned.
My, no." Tilda replied, 81 almost
wish it were a man, he would probably
knock some of the nonsense out of
the girls head; JOse's divinity is n
woman, mysterious sort of person
who has rented the Wells bungalow
for the summer. She looks like a
motion picture actress. and spends her
time playing the harp. selecting TO
notice no person in town save Josie.
Why Josie, l have been unable 10 de-
terImine.
''Disagreeable?" again the father in
terrupted with a question.
NO" Tilda honestly replied. con 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 influ-
ence over Josephine. She would prob
ably listen TO a man. but when /
called
You called" interposed the brother.
Tilda nodded.
II thought it was my duty Josie
positively refused to obey when l or
dered her not to 60 to the wOman's
house again. For let me assure you.
that the people here think very little
of such a stranger. When l called
she was making a picture of herself
draped before her harp in a greek
sort OF Il robe, and when | reprOved
her regarding the notion she had put
in JOsephine's head. she was as sweet
ly and stubbornly inssent 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 he young woman
may respect your wishes"
Alan hesitated, then decided that 1t
would be wise TO have some knowledge
Of lis daughters new found friend
Josephine was making one of her daily
visits III The bungalow. it 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 Whitehead figure in
the doorway. Alan's disappearing
frown vanished. while Josephine stared
in surprise from one to the other
For her fathers quick cry had been
"Janey, my dearr" while her friend
ran in little rush toward him.
you will not be displeased, will
You Alan" she was saying, because
| stole march on you and hurried
on to meet Josie. l 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. 81 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 a
/ certain suit for damages. Ny little
brother. Laddie had been almost Grip
pled 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 g.r whom |
learned To love. look the harp which
had been her pastime and with it.
gave recitalS her and there. SO that