The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1921-10-28

By moLliE MATAER.

roblem. When JosephineS mother
led AT her birth Alan was relieved
n the thought thar bis child's future
would be secure in sisters care. Til
ia. the elder sister, had raised him
n his Orphanage and Tiida would be
ofpetcnt 10 raise his daughter. so
hOught Alan; but he had not counted
lpOn the difficult temperament of his
hid Josephine.
JOSephine's mother had grown up
n the vicinity. and when Tilda APP
,rOved of their cOmradeship. and APP
lrOved also. Of the first JOsephine's
domestic ability and gentle manners.
Nan conceded heartily with her views.
md his early marriage followed. JO-
ephine. the daughter. grown TO early
Dung womanhood. possessed neither
ier mothers domestic tastes nor amen
ibility. Josephine was adventurous.
.he had views. and she was apt to be
nterrOgative. Alan, travelling afar up
1n business interests which carried
him. grew vaguely troubled Tilda's
complaint. upon his home coming. was
that OF a new friendship in which her
charge persisted
1T seems. Tilda told her brother.
that the affair has been going on
longer than I suspected. Probably
this intimacy Is responsible for many
Of Josie's wild views. An infatuation
l call it,
"A man." her brother impatiently
questioned
MY, no." Tilda replied, 81 almost
wish Ii were a man. he would probably
knock some of the nonsense out of
the girls head; Josie's divinity is a
woman. a 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 70
notice no person IN town save Josie.
Why Josie. | have been unable TO de-
terInine
''Disagreeable?" again the father in
terrupted with question.
NO" Tilda honestly replied. con the
contrary Jos 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 Speal;
o her concerning her mistaken infu-
ably listen 10 Il man. but when
calleu-''
You called" interposed the brother.
Tida nodded
II thought it was my duty. Josie
positively refused 10 obey when D or
dered her not 10 go 10 the woman's
house again. For let me assure you
that The people here think very little
of such n stranger When | called
she was making picture of herself
draped before her harp in a greek
sort OF a robe. and when | reproved
her regarding the notion she had put
in JOSepnlne'S head. she was as sweet
~ and stubbornly insistent as the
child"
Josephine really should he given
her opportunity, she said. So | came
away. There is no use trying TO for
bid your daughter this companOn ship
Alan. but perhaps :he young woman
may respect your wishes"
Alan heSitated. then decided that IT
would be wise 10 have some knowledge
OF his daughters new found friend
Josephine was making one of her daily
visits NJ the bungalow. ii 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 white-clad figure in
the doorway Alhn's disappearing
frOwn vanished. while Josephine stared
in surprise from one to the other.
For her fathers quick cry had been
"Janey, my dear" while her friend
ran in a little rush toward him.
"YOu will not he dSpleased. will
=.
| stole n 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 secret
for you. one that will not keep another
moment. Your daughter has great
musical ability. Alan. am very GER
tain of this. and you must give her
m opportunity"
But" murmured Josephine, "T do
not understand"
"Of course you don't" penitently
Janet's arms EMBODIED her.
1T means dear, that your father and
met some time ago. quite acciden.
tally. when he called concerning a
certain suit for damages. MY little
brother. Laddie had been almost Grip
pied by recklessly driven automobile,
| and the suit was brought in order TO
nable us to procure the best pos
lille surgical skill"
And while the suit was pending. .
Alan added. land the little brother
| ny in the hospital. this girl whom |
earned Ia love. took the harp which
al been her pastime and with II.