The Bolivar County Democrat. (Rosedale, Miss.) 1887-1969, 1923-03-03
PHILIP ASSISTING
BY AGNES GRAHAM BROGAN
SS1S15251S2R51TS15757RR15;
20. 1923, Western Newspaper Union,


comes of being dominated by old
Aunt Sue all her life. Aunt Sue took
| the toll for bringing we two orphans
up. l was lucky to marry you early,
Dick
Richard Boynton laughed. "Glad
you look at it that way, dear, but it
really is too bad that two excellent
ones, so exactly suited to each other
as Constance and the professor should
be held apart by their own humanity. I
am certain that Jim Gathers cares seri
ously for your sister. Why, he never
seemed aware Of the existence of the
female sex until l asked him over here
that evening and he met Connie.
"Of course" Clarice considered.
there's are always a lot of us around
when he calls. Poor Connie never
has the ghost Of chance to entertain
her own friends"
Gathers might then," Richard sug-
gested, "have the sense to take her
out once and awhile"
This was exactly the idea that came
to the professor that evening. AS he
left his coupe before the door, and
Constance. prettily flushed, went to
meet him, Richards mother appeared,
m the way to one Of her social affairs.
"Oh, Mr.. Gathers" she effusively
greeted, may ask you to drive me
along, as you go to the play?
The professor later was prevailed
foto
ton, the elder, home. The following
evening when Clarice and her hus-
band hurried off to attend college
meeting, from which the English pro-
fessor absented himself, that he might
spend the time with Constance, Aunt
Sue came down from her apartment
for the purpose Of chaperoning her
niece.
Clarice was a modern young woman.
isn't 1t the very devilY' she asked
her husband. While Richard agreed,
1t was he, upon the occasion Of James
Gathers next visit, who was the Of
fender. He engaged his superior as
sociate in a spirited political discus
sion, which lasted throughout the
evening while Connie conversed with
the indignant Clarice, in the back
| ground.
The next evening Clarice came brisk
ly into the midst Of her family.
"I," she remarked, "am going to
| take you all to the new movie with
| the exception of Connie, who WILL
please, stay with Philip. OF course
he will be snug in his bed. I will see
to that before I go. But I could not
leave him alone in the house."
"Of course not" Constance innocent
ly agreed. II will be glad to stay,
| Clarice"
When all were gone Constance add
ed a log to the open fire, and when
James Gathers came, the constrained
shyness which they had known in the
presence of others had disappeared.
Side by side in chairs before the fire
they sat contentedly.
A chuckle of laughter came from
the direction of the stairway. She
turned about. So did the professor.
Philip sat there, clad in the white
stockinged affair that served as his
nightrobe
Philip was rocking gleefully to and
fro.
"My goodness, gracious !" he said,
in imitation of Clarice, "look who's
here.
Constance arose.
phillip she reproached, "you must
go right back to bed"
Fright back to bed" Philip SYM
pathetically agreed
So Constance led him there. She
had gotten no further than the outer
hall. after tucking him in, when-"1
want Mommie," walled Philip.
.T will sit here, darling" Constance
promised, until you go to Sleep"
She thought that the silence follow
ing portended sleep, and went down to
the patient waiter in the living room.
| She had ensconced herself In the fire.
side chair when Philip marched into
the room. He carried story book
and climbed into her arms. Read
'um." he demanded masterfully.
Tim Gathers grinned. Better read
one or two," he said. poor little
chap. Though I wish,' he added
whimsically, "that I might adopt
philips caveman method of-getting
what ! want"
"Let me carry him up for you," he
said. when Constance arose to the
errand. 1t was the first time, strange
ly enough, that small warm arms mad
clasped dependently the professors
| neck. He was not sure whether 1t
was that sensation, or the realization
Of the guiding arm Of Constance,
against his own, which brought the
lump to his throat. The emotion re-
mained as she bent over the little
bed. Philip lay looking up at them.
"Kiss me-" he said. Lovingly, his
aunt obeyed.
"You. too," he invited his new
friend. "No, on my face" Philip cor
rected as Jim Gathers touched the
dark head with his lips.
So. the professor obeying the de-
mand, found himself very close TO
Constance-his arm went around her
-.and the Cupid on the wall stili
aimed his arrow. James Gathers had
secretly conceived beauty OF word
ING for his proposal of marriage.
SNOW" he said husklly, "Oh, will you'
Constance? l can't blame you If YOU