The Challis messenger. (Challis, Idaho) 1912-current, 1924-08-06
JAMES PA
AND CUPID
GOT BUSY
By H. LOUIS RAYBOLD

924. Mcclure Newspaper Syndicate

down. AS for this last young mar
you've annexed-young what's-his
name-just cross him off your list !"
you mean-N
''That red-headed, pugnaciousjaw
hlgh-and-mighty individual you were
strolling down Main street with this
afternoon. Looks like an ex-prize
fighter, and"
"Oh," broke In Jane hurriedly, "you
mean Peter Brown. Don't-don't you
like him."
Like him? Like him? Does he look
.s if I'd like him. Just forget him."
Jane nodded slowly. 81 understand,
pa, but I've promised Peter he could
take me to the dance at the Armory.
How could l know" she went on Bit
terly, that you'd be seized so sudden
ly with a violent prejudice against the
first man ever thought cared enough
for to marry?"
Her father seemed about to speak,
then apparently thought better of it
and waited a moment. Then, "All
right" he said mildly, "but the dance
must end it. Surely there is some one
among your old friends good enough
for you without throwing yourself
away on the first stranger that hits
town. Particularly such red
headed"
But Jane, with one reproachful look,
had fed from the room.
Ever since the death of his wife,
James father had found his daughter
a great problem. Constitutionally a re-
served, unobtrusive man, the chain of
contacts she established for him with
outsiders kept him continually
harassed. He had run the gauntlet Of
housekeepers and nursemaids, school
teachers and playmates, only to be
brought up against a more formidable
array, as Jane grew into womanhood,
of James young men.
, Much as Jane managed her father,
she managed her suitors, winding them
around her little finger with a gentle
tyranny which they accepted with a
meekness that, could they but have
known 1t, reacted to their advantage
The very fact that Peter Brown, the
new young lawyer in town, did not APP
pear to be one to yield to anybody,
much less slip of a girl, was his
peculiar charm for Jane. She had met
him ON several occasions, largely of
her own contriving, until Peter had
shown unmistakable signs Of falling
in love with her when, having sue
ceeded in what she had tried to do,
Jane coyly warded off his actual dec
with feminine inconsistency
Now her father had thrown an I'M
expected wrench into the machinery,
and for once Jane feared she could
not wind him around her finger with |
customary dexterity.
So matters stood on the night of |
the Armory ball In spite of her trou-
bled heart, Jane looked her loveliest,
and Peter, as he held her slender
form in his arms during
the first fox trot, resolved that he
would say all that was on his mind
while Jane could not con-
veniently escape.
Listen" he whispered, as they
swung down the hall, Il have some
hing / must tell you. love you.
Love you frightfully, Jane darling.
viii you marry me?"
Jane lifted startled eyes. "Peteri"
he breathed, and tried not to give
lway to those around her that her
'artner was actually proposing to
Ter then and there. Suddenly she
Il am afraid-you see,
ny father" she began.
Don't fancy me?" said Peter calm
Y. "Well-I hate to have to do it
his way. But, under the circum-
ell him afterwards" ,
Jane gasped. No one had ever said
must" in just that tone before. and
sent through her delicious SILVER.
she asked meekly.
Peter considered. zone week from
,day,' he said finally. THAT Will :
I've me time to get the license, ar
inge my business for an absence, and
1gage passage on the Bermudlan. One
eek from todayl"
Jane, for all the romance Of 1t, had
or secret misgivings in the days that
allowed. 1t came hard to deceive her
ther, Of whose ultimate relenting she
I'd doubts. Also. deep within her,
lie could not quite sanction Peters
,mand that she do such a thing. 1t
d not tally with her idea of him.
However, she loved him, she had
ven her word, aud she would abide
1t. n
Arrived the wedding day, and Jane. O
no had surreptltiously packed her
INK, stole away for the ceremony HI
lich was to make her Peters.
II pronounce you man and wifel" IL
Jane heard the words in daze She d,
uld scarcely credit that so swiftly
e had become Mrs. Peter Brown ii
len she felt Peter draw her to him g,
lderly and presently she found her DC
f on the way to her father, and al
3 moment she had dreaded more
an she had admitted had come bl
They found him sitting by the FIRE