The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1906-06-22
Selrtt storp.
A DISTANT RELATION.
ny W W J,con,

Mr. Potter had Just ,skca Elh,l Sprizg>
iuto the kitchen tn sag got-l hy IN The
small front nom Mr.. SpricS-, With hi>
fingers already fumbiin. at the linen gallsr
of ceremony. waited impalienlly
They ges longer aud laa;er ever their
guod bys, he complained.
is oaly natural. said Mrs. Spris,.
looking up from a Pieoo Of 6oe ~cNlns
"Ian you remrnbrT---
No, [ dou 1, said her husband jo.
gcily. Il know that your pooS father
never ad TO put on a odllar for me, and
mind you won't wear one after thoy r.
married, not If you all wens on youF 5ends,i
knees and asked me 70.
lie composed his face A. the dooT oFea
ed and noliei good night TO the rather
oyer-srcSsed yoaug man who came through
the Fuom With BIZ daughter The latter
opened the front door. and passing aai
with Mr. Potter, held It slightly open. 4
penetrated draughs played upon the exas-
pcrated Mr.. Sprigss lie COACHED loudly
Your fathers got a cold SAID Mr.
Potter IN conoerned yclre
NO. its only too much smoking
said the giri. Hes smoking all day
hong
The indignant Mr. Spriggs coushei
again; but the yoang people had found a
new subject Of conversation, |, ended
some MINUTES later in = playful scutiie,
during which the door acted the part of a
ven1ilating fan.
''It's only for another fortnight, -aid
Mrs. Spriggs hastily, as her husband rosc.
After they re sPlioed, said the yiu
dictiyo Mr. Sprigg~, resaming his seat,
''IH 20 round, aud In play about their
front door ,iIl-'
He broke off abruptly as his daughter.
darling into the room, closed the door
with bang that nearly exuingulshed the
lalnp. and turned the key. Before heI
flushed and laughing face Mr.. Sprisg,
held his peace.
What the natter? she asked, eying
him What are you looking like chat
forf
TOO much draught-for your mother,
said Mr.. Spriggs, feebly. Il IN afraid Of
her asthma agin.
He fell to work on the collar once more
and, escaping at last from the clutches Of
that enemy. laid it on the table and un
laced his boots. An attempt to remoy,
his coat was promptly foEestalled by hi.
daughter
''You'll get doing it when you come
round to see Us, she explained
Mr. Spriggs sighed and lighting short
clay pipe-forbidden in the presence o.
his future son in-law-fell to watching
mother and daughter as they gloated ovel
dress materials and discussed double widths
Anybody who can't be 'appy witt
her, he said an hour later as his daush
ter slapped his head by way Of bidding hin
good night, aud retired, don't deserve
to be 'apPy."
Il wish it was over, whispered hi
wife. she Il break her heart if anythin.
happens. and-and Gussie will be out nov
in day or two.
"a gal can help what her uncle does.
said Mr.. Spriggs, fercely; ''if Altre'
throws her over for that he's no man.
pride is his great fault, - said his wife
mournfully.
"Its no good taking up troubles afor
they come, observed Mr.. Spriggs; per
aps Gussie won come ere.
Hell come straight here, said hi
wife with conviction, "he' Il come straigh
here and try and make a fuss Of me; sam
as he used to do when we was children an
L d got ha' penny know him.
"Cheer up, old gal, said Mr.. SPriggs
eff he does We must try and get rid 9
him, and if he won't go we must tell Al
fred that he's been to Australia, same Il
we did Ethel -
His wife smiled family
''That's the ticket continued Nh
Spriggs. "For one thing l b'leeve he
be ashamed to show his face here, but