Montour American. (Danville, Pa.) 1866-1920, 1905-05-11
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Ing the fleeing figure. And Just then,
the victim paused, flushed, BREATH, ),
her copper gold hair lOOsened from its
pins and falling in a bright shower be
low her waist. Dorothy caught sight of
the newcomer and set up a hailing
shout ITS papa. Here's papa" she
cried
The captive made one wild movement
toward flight, but the victor manfully
held on to her And, after laughing
protest. she came over to Carruthers,
where he stood bareheaded, his eyes
cleaning with admiration, and held
out her hand.
i've been doubly caught, I'm afraid,
Mr.. Carruthers, l did not dream you
were coming today or l should not
have been found engaged in such an
, undignifed pastime. My name Is Flor
ence Narine"
lie leaned forward. Mrs. Varines
daughter|
NO" She colored deliciously. 81 am
Mrs. Varine," she explained.
Impossible" exclaimed Carruthers.
He looked at her, amazed, mystified.
Why, she could not be much over TWEEN
ty! And Claridge had said that she
was a widow.
Il was very distant relative Of Mr..
Varine's," she explained He wished
to leave me his property, but there
would have been contention and litiga-
| ton on the part of others more nearly
related were he to do so. But when he
knew he was dying he asked me to
marry him that he might legally will
me all he possessed. He died an hour
after the ceremony was performed.
Mr. Claridge was present"
But" stammered CaTuthers, why
didn't Claridge tell me? Why was l
not to see you|
( "Oh, | was afraid if you knew how
young and irresponsible l was you
would not let me have the children TO
! take care of. Mrs. Claridge had told
me what darlings they were, and | was
so lonely down here. We've had such
good times together" She paused,
gathering up her shining hair. She
( looked at him with luminous gray eyes
grown suddenly apprehensive. you
( won't take them away, now that you
know" she entreated.
"Assuredly not" he made quick re-
ply. They are the most fortunate
children in the world. For the first
time since the death of their mother
have felt quite happy about them
1t was astonishing how easily the i'm
portant business matters Of Mr.. Car
ruthers could be set aside. He grasped
at the invitation to stay to dinner as
though that meal We're in truth to save
him from starvation. And when he
finally did discover that If he would
catch his train back to the city he
must exercise all haste 1t was with pos
tive diSmay that he left the three who
stood on the terrace, waving him fare,
well.
The next morning he walked into
Claridges office.
You'll have to take a run out and
attend to that Montana matter Clar-
idge," he said. Il can't GO"
Cant, ell? What's up? Something
more importantE
Very much more important" He
was smiling like boy, and his eyes
were shining. Fact is, I've not been
seeing enough of EuStace and Dorothy
I'm going To- take n room at the hote
down there-they tell me there's good
fishing to be had-and I'll see more OF
the children"
Claridgc stared at him. Then he nod
ded and laughed.
you've seen that willful little widow
down at CedJryillc."
CarrutherS went off laughing.
When lie came in a few weeks later
the tan of country wind and sun was
on his cLcc& He walked like con
. qucror. with his head up, and his voice
had ring good to hear.
J congratulate me-" he commanded
The children are going to have thu
. lovcliest mother in all the world
I Claridge gripped the others hanc
warmly. You're IucHy dog. Iar
rutherS."
Il know il. Cluridge. There isn't {
king under heaven ia change places
with, ma those children
Claridgc laughed leniently.
You Internal fraud" he said