The Elk Mountain pilot., 1923-11-29
Proof of the
Pudding
By JUSTIN WENTWooD

&C. 1923, Western Newspaper Union-)
SSRUT surely you won't disinherit
your son just because he wants
to marry the girl Of his chOicer
Colonel Weir turned his blue eyes
upon Miss Madeleine Raines. II shall
do just that" he answered.
At ffty-five the colonel was still an
attractive man. He was a martinez
he believed in home discipline. And
his son Phil had become engaged with
out his leave to an actress.
Colonel Weir had old-fashioned ideas
about actresses, snd he was inordi-
nately proud of the Weir name.
He was pouring out his grief to Miss
Raines. She was an extraordinarily
attractive girl whom he had met at
the beach hotel, where he had gone for
a week to recuperate from the shock
Of the breach with Phil.
And he had found such consolation
as had not been his since his wife died.
many years before.
He did not want to marry Madeleine
Ralnes. He was too old for that. But
he would have liked to have had her
about him. in some capacity, for the
rest of his days.
"If only the boy had had the sense
to choose someone like you, Made
leiner' he sighed. He called her that
now. and she called him Harry. 1t
was one of those delightful, quick fir
tations that spring up between the
young and the middle-aged.
But, Harry. you haven't even seen
thiR girl. I understand some actresses
are quite charming" protested Made
leine.
MY dear, there has never yet been
member of the stage in the Weir
family, and there never shall be with
my connivsnce. Either my son gives
ap this association or he ceases to be
a son of mine"
Madeleine sighed. She felt that the
colonel was unjust And she liked the
colonel.
I've given him till Monday to make
up his mind finally" he continued
Hes coming down then. and you shall
see him for yourself. But guess that
actress woman won't want him when
she learns that he's to be disinherited
If she marries him."
"Do you think all women are like
that, Harry?'' asked Miss Raines
softly.
Most of EN-" answered the colonel.
And me2" queried Miss Raines.
How 1t happened the colonel never
k2ew afterward. but he found that he
had kissed Miss Raines. and that he
had affronted her beyond pardon
She rose to her feet, icy and pale.
'T thought you were a gentleman.
Colonel Weir she said.
She received the coloners stam-
mered apologies in silence. Isn't
there anything I can do to win for
giveness?7 he asked.
at isn't a matter OF forgiveness.
You have shown me your opinion Of
me-oh. quite. quite plainly. Colonel
Weir. You think I'm like alike an
actress, and that any man can kiss
me-"
Il respect you beyond every woman
I've ever met Miss Raines, Twill
you marry mey' he biurted out, over
come by emotion
Madeleine shook her head sadly.
You have convinced me. Harry" she
said. "but-but there's another man"
"D-n," mutrered the colonel under
his breath.
''But I'll always be IA daughter to
you. II you want me-" she said. as they
neared the hotel.
Colonel Weir heayed a prodigious
sigh. He slept unhappily. He knew
his proposal had been a foolish thing.
but life without Madeleine seemed the
essence of boredom and loneliness.
Then Monday came. The colonel.
waiting to receive his son, showed no
signs Of the emotional storm he had
been through. His relationship with
Miss RaInes had been a formal one
since that unlucky episode He stiff
fened as he saw Phil coming toward
him.
We'll. dadT'
We'll. Phil, what's the answer?"
THE same, dad
Then there's nothing more to say"
said the colonel. turning away.
A soft voice at his side arrested him.
Colonel. for my sake won't you let
Phil marry the girl of his choice?"
pleaded Madeleine.
Not even for you. He-why-why.
what's thisY' he demanded.
For Madeleine had slipped her arm
through Phil's. II said I'd be
daughter TO you" she faltered.
"You-you id young scoundrel.
Phil Observation-Disclosures all go in