Imperial Valley press., 1911-12-20
.AMereC
BY WALLACE D. SAWYER
Copyright by American Press Asso-
citation. 1911

Henry Martin and Fred Bradford
were chums at school, chums at college
and chums when they were middle
aged Henry Martin was tritle the
older. He had married very young,
but had lost his wife. who left him
with little daughter. That daughter
was now seventeen years old.
Fred" said Martin one day, I'm
going away on d business trip. Millie
will be under the care of the house
keeper during my absence, but she
needs a certain attention that the old
woman can't give her The truth is. i
am afraid of youngster about Miles
age. Since l don't want my girl to
be mixed up in any puppy love affair,
l would like you to take her under your
care
Fred Bradford called the evening
after his friends departure. as he had
told him he would. intending to re-
main but few minutes, for he sup
posed he would find the little miss
studying her lessons. What was his
surprise to find her sitting in the draw
ing room waiting for him, decked out
in the most dazzling finery she pos
sessed.
Papa has told me that you are to
be my guardian for awhile" she said.
(which is very nice. And I suppose
the dear old stupid has instructed you
to prevent my seeing anything of
Benny Brenston. Just think Of my
being sweet on that kid. Why, he
isn't six months older than l am"
That's fortunate" replied Mr.. Brad
ford II shan't have to watch you"
Watch met More likely I'll have to
watch you. Are you sure you've not
get some affair on hand that you
shouldn't have?"
She looked at him knowingly.
Good gracious" he exclaimed men
tally. "does Henry consider this girl a
child? Instead of looking out for a
boy lover I would better look out for
myself I'm afraid Of all women, and
one of these little imps is more capa-
BILE of getting man into trouble than
a woman Of thirty"
L
beware" when one Of the opposite
sex is thrown suddenly in his path.
but the trouble is to heed his own
warnings. Mr. Bradford from the mo-
ment he entered the girls presence
felt as if beautiful wasp with velvet
stripes of yellow and black was buz-
zing about him trying to get an oppor
tunity to sting him. Finally he arose
to go.
You don't need any attention from
me-" he said "Ill tell your father
when he returns that the next time
he goes away he'd better put me in
your care
And you're not coming to see me
any more"
"Why should L? You say your father
is mistaken about this boy; therefore
you don't need watching"
"Oh. don't come if you don't want
to-
She tossed her head as if Mr. Brad
ford and she were lovers in tiff. He
said something in reply, but he didn't
know what it was. and really he didn't
intend to convey any especial idea.
The next afternoon. while looking
out of his club window, who should
pass but the girl he had promised to
watch, driving an automobile, beside
her the schoolbOy whom Bradford
had promised to keep away from her.
AS soon as he had dined Bradford
went to see her. with the intention Of
giving her good scolding.,
What do you mean." he said Sc
verely. "by driving with that boy?"
Am l to have no attention what
ever?" she asked, cooking her head on
one side rebelliously. You won't
come to see me. suppose III have to
put up with boy
Bradford was in a quandary. he
wished Martin would come home.
Twill you PROMISE he said presently.
Ito let the boy alone if l come. say.
twice week while your father is
away?"
why. certainly"
ION your honor?"
"Yes, on my honor"
Very well. I'll do it."
He kept his word. and the girl kept
hers He spent two evenings a weel;
with her and. since her father remain
ed away two months. by the time he
returned Bradford didn't know wheth
er he was on his head or his heels.
One evening he lost his grip on him
self and said some very sweet things
to her. When he got outside the cool
air sobered him. and he could have
bitten Off his tongue.
Finally his friend returned. Brad
ford called at his Office to welcome
him Martin took him into his pri-
vate Office and shut the door.
"See here. Fred" said the latter.
what have you been turning my little
girls head forY'
II turn her headY"
"Well. she tells me that you have
"a.