Audubon County journal. (Exira, Iowa) 1884-1993, 1912-05-23
- ANN, y
Fathers SLEEPER
Copyright. 1911. by Associated Literary Pres.
By JANE OSBORNE

| When George Walton's friend Jack
(, Gray said he had been transferred
from New York to San Francisco,
and that he was worrying about what
to do with the little home he had
! bought at Bredon, a nearby town that
boasted a small college, George had
an inspiration.
"1ll rent the house myself" said
he. Its just the sort of quiet place
I'm looking for where can finish
this story I'm writing"
One September day George estab-
lished himself in the Gray bunga-
low on the outskirts of Bredon He
considered himself lucky. The house
was charming. He didn't know a
| soul, SO he need fear no interruption.
And he had thoroughly reliable
housekeeper in the person of middle
aged Mrs. Bridget Magoon, who had
kept his bachelor apartments in town
and whose only drawback was her
motherless grandson, Patsy Leary,
aged two and half years.
On the morning after his arrival
George was dwelling on his many
blessings when his reveries were in
terrupted by quick rap on the
screen door. He looked up to see a
young girl-perhaps just past twenty
"a comfortable, substantial looking
sort of girl, with fresh color, warm
brown eyes and definite way of
doing things. George could tell that
by the way she put one firm brown
hand on the knob of the door.
May l come in?" she asked. isn't
this the Gray bungalow"
Assuring her that it was, George
stumbled over chair in his hurry to
open the door. He begged her to be
seated and after she had composed
herself comfortably in one of the
wide wicker chairs, he sat down op-
posite her.
You're just the person l want to
see." she said, and George felt fiat
tered. you see, I'm Miss STAGE, Ann
STAGE. And I'm visiting my brother
Walter STAGE. came for only few
weeks, but he wants me to stay the
winter. You know, brothers. an in
structor at the college, and like all
the rest of them he's as poor as a
church mouse. So 1 told him
wouldn't stay unless could earn
enough money to take care of my
self. I'm not bit clever, and I don't
know how to teach or do anything.
But the other day 1 had an idea.
IT hate to play cards and l love to
fo1y oP hot he
opposite of most of the women about
here. There's card club at least
once a week-and card parties in be-
tween and trips to town for shop
ping and the matinee And all the
girls who are married to faculty peo-
pie get their husbands to take care
of their children afternoons when
they want to have good time. So ]
thought I'd be not mothers helper,
exactly but-a fathers helper
Ann ended her recital GREATNESS
and laughing.
isn't it jolly idea?" she went on
"And it isn't a bit expensive for you
fathers Club afternoons l entertain
the children for fifteen cents apiece
and call for and deliver them, too.
For quarter apiece / take them on
other days-private treatment, you
know. and l have to charge more, for
there amt SO many children those
days.
Walters wife knows Mrs. Gray
not very well, but they belong to the
same club. So she sent me over to
see you thought maybe you'd be
one of my customers"
For the first time Ann stopped
hong enough to let George explain.
She looked at him appealingly from
her soft brown eyes.
But Pm not Mr.. Gray" said
George, with real regret. I'm just
Mr.. Walton. The Grays have gone
Unexpectedly to California, and I've
taken their bungalow You see, l
write stories"
"Oh. I'm SO sorry" apologized
Ann. II must have seemed so
stupid. really beg your pardon"
George was casting about for an
excuse to detain the charming Ann,
when Patsy ran into the room. He
had bright blue eyes and bright vel
low hair. His face was pink and
freckled and his baby lips smiled
bewitchingly as he ran confidently
up to George.
ooh, but after all" said Ann, when
she saw the boy. maybe you do want
me. Isn't he dear"
isn't he. now?" said George with
fervor, as an idea for seeing more
of Ann came into his head.
"And Mrs. Walton does play cards
I suppose?" questioned Ann
"Why-you see" Numbered
George, Mrs. Walton's not here"
"Oh!" AIMS monosyllable was
comprehensive. The scene before
her became tragedy. She noted
the absence Of button on Georges
coat-the apparent embarrassment
of the big man who was trying to fill
a mothers place to the small boy
the child's gleeful ignorance of the
whole situation. Mentally Ann