Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1903-05-07
The DiSinherited Fathers.
By Frances Wilson.

THERE was q rap at the door and
l the bell-boy handed in some let
ters. Young Staymore examined the
superscriptions eagerly.
Here they are, Rose, both Of
Them" he called to some one in the
next room, selecting two from the
number and tossing the others care
lessly on the table.
At the words a vision of spring-if
spring can be imagined in a pink
morning gown with a halo of sun
shiny hair-appeared in the doorway
with an expression of pleased ex-
pectancy.
'Dear old papa!" she said, dimp-
ling, as she took her letter and
dropped into a chair-'Here's where
he forgives his angel child for being
bad and we all live happy ever after!"
She took the letter out of the en-
velope and unfolded it, while her hus-
band occupied himself in a similar
manner
At the sight Of the contents-only
a few brief lines-her face length
ened with amazement and the amaze
ment changed to bewilderment as she
read the note, which announced with
a verbal economy which was, to say
the least, pointed, that Mrs. Thomas
Staymore, having made a free and
u~ntrammeled choice of her path in
life, was at liberty to pursue the
same without fear of m%olestation
from n who, nevertheless, wished
her every happiness in that life.
That was all save the curt yours
sincerely, Drayton Gladish" and a
postscript--the letters of which
seemed to be expanding and con
tracing in a watery medium-which
informed her that her personal be-
longings had been forwarded to her
address that day.
She winked hard to keep back the
tears and then glanced at her hus-
band, only to behold that gentleman
scowling re- his letter with an ex-
preston rarely seer upon his de-
bonair c~ountenance.
what does yours say" she asked
with a gulp, while a flicker of inter-
est lighted up the somberness of her
face for an instant.
Her husband laughed ruefully.
Read for yourself!" he replied,
throwing it into her lap and picking
up hers.
In effect it was like her own-a for
NAL and final intimation that Mr..
Staymore considered that in marry
ing the daughter of his neighbor and
inveterate enemy Drayton Gladish,
his son had committed an act so dis
loyal that any future intercourse be-
tween them would be forever i'm,
possible.
When two weeks earlier Jack Stay
more and Rose Gladish had decided to
take matters into their own hands,
they had expected, at worst, a scene,
quickly followed by forgiveness and
general reconciliations. To their
thinking that ancient quarrel which
had divided their fathers for 20 years
was nonsense. They could not take
it seriously.
So they drove blithely away one
morning and none of the friends who
saw them leave the Country club to-
gether suspected that that drive
would be described in the newspapers
next day as "A Sensation in Society,""
In New York they disappeared tenn
porarily, waiting for the parental
blessing which they confidently ex-
pected and for a cessation of atten-
tons on the part Of the reporters.
'Disinherited, by Jove," calculated
young Staymore at last, thrusting
his hands into his pockets, to the
end that he might comprehend the
situation more fully. 1T isn't the
money that I mind,' he continued
with 4 grand air-"we can get a neat
sum for Snowflake and the auto, and
I'll 60 to workout I'm fond of the
governor!" He broke off abruptly
and stared hard at the carpet, while
Rose gulped audibly.
"The idea Of papa acting $3.50 un-
grateful" she walled, when I've al
ways been SO good to him! Such in
gratitude is horrid!"
She dabbed at her face in an ag-
grieved manner and did not notice
the CLEAN Of amusement in her hus-
bands eyes, which, however, quickly
vanished into gloom as he sat down
on the arm of the chair. and put his
arm about her.
.'This thing Of parental affection
isn't what it's cracked up to be-" he
remarked with a newborn cynicism.
I'm a~stonished at the governor!
Didn't suppose he was that sort Of Q
mani"
Sand I've always humored papa
when 7 could,n chimed Rose, as her
grief began to give way to a sense Of
injury. That's just the reason he
takes this advantage Of my good ma
ture! He couldn't expect me to give