Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1923-12-26
HIS FATHER
BY JANE GORDON


\. strangely particular young person,
.hcrselI perfect in poise and manner.
Perfect, too, her admirers said, in face
and feature.
Jim Langham, when he met Pris-
ella Dawn, thought with a quick in
drawn breath of pleased surprise, that
here was his dream woman persona
he'd
Jim, like Priscilla, demanded a GER
tain perfection, but Jim might not be
so consistent in his demand For
while Miss Dawn was favored in so
cial position and fortune, Jim had
come to the great city to make his
way.
mat the beautiful young womans
fatler had been so kind as to include
an Office employee among his guests
was in .Iims favor.
douglas Dawn honestly liked his as
Sistant ONCE manager.
Priscilla, the pride and delight of
his old age, was nevertheless to her
father problem. For as his years
advanced his anxious desire was to
see the child of his late marriage
cared Tor and protected in a home of
ner own.
Robert Wentworth was his favorite
because Of the maine Of prominence he
bore. John Stern was notably sue
,cesslul in his profession.
At the conclusion of the dinner
party the young woman arose, her
calm face expressive of boredom. She
forced d smile-the meaningless
smile, the prejudiced father thought,
learned at the school on the Hudson.
II will leave you" Priscilla told
the regretful young men, ito the en-
joyment of your cigars"
Jim Langham's dark eyes followed
her eagerly. She was always nice to
Jim. Courtesy, he determinePy re-
minded himself, to a humble employee.
Yet there were gloritied moments when
Jim, working tirelessly and dreaming
great dreams of ambition, allowed |
happier thoughts to sway. He found |
her later, walking in the garden at
Robert Wentworth's side Priscilla |
beckoNed.
'Mr Wentworth has been bored |
long enough 10y my society," she smil-
ingIy remarked. will you relieve
him, Mr.. Langham?"
Thus frankly was the disappointed
NJ. VI entWorth dismissed.
You appear to be able to entertain
Priscilla, Sim" Mr.. Dawn said. Glad
you can do that. What the girl is
looking for in her friends-and fails
10 tind-is most perpleXing. Stern
seemed to find Il sort of favor until
something disappointed her Yes, Pm
glad you can entertain her, at least"
AT Ieast!' echoed Jim. To relieve
an hoar of boredom for the lovely
Priscilla. was all that he, in his hum
hle position, dare hope. And so he
walked in the gardens at her side.
AND every moment, jim, his only
wealth his ambition fell deeper and
deeper in the yearning of the love
w ich possessed him.
Through tie gate opening in the
: lge came benz old figure. Jim
with Al GREATNESS stare of surprise,
recognized as the old man came clos
er lhe kindly trusting smile Of greet
tug.
"Jlmw called his father happily
"5ilI"
Priscilla Dawn stood observant. Her
roli glance appralsing.
Jim glanced at her hastily, then on
10 the wrinkled pleased face before
hin, then the young mans hand went
.uot heartily.
..na..v.," Sd Jim, chow did you |
get uereY
"proye in with the wilkins folks |
hi, morMng." Old Jamie Langham re-
pEeI. Invited me and seemed II
,ccu' ,n't wait minute after got here
a. see you. We're going back tonight
.U.er at your boarding place they told
n.r you'd be here
I.n's father turned genially toward
Jim, hostess. You're Mr.. DaWn's
.daU4hlei. Of course, and | can't Tell
YOU how glad it makes nae, back
sue.c in the country, 10 think that
suI.r one IS 6ind to my boy-5lN!nS
h.m Il 0.j of real home life now and
then" cid JImieS smile WrlhNcu'
And the comfort Of your garden.
ary - keep up Jms mothers garden
as he left it--bachelor buttons ana
rambler rose. Ia like to thank your
father too, my dear before l co. for
ehe great help he's been to my som
The words were spoken with his
fathers simple dignity, but James
G.an.ham with his knowledge OF con
venton, gasped at the kindly My
dear Priscilla Dawn, the courted OF
Gmaune-favored associates - what
.Would she think OF this-yes, shabby
Old man, and his my dearT"
Jim's troubled eyes sought hers
for understanding And in Priscllla's
ewes shone that remembered soft blue
fire. Impulsively her hand reached
- lFnn OF