The Lamar register., 1912-07-03
~ ANN, ~
Father Helper
lose1rishs. ,o1.. b. Associated Literary Pres.
By JANE OSBORNE

and that he was worrying about what
to do with the little home he had
bought at Bredon, a nearby town that
boastsd q small college. George had
an inspiration.
IN rent the house myself" said
he. TITS Just the sort Of quiet place
I'm looking for where can finish
this story I'm writing"
One September day George estab-
hshed himself in the Gray bunga-
low on the outskirts Of Bredon. He
considered himself lucky. The house
was charming. He didn't know q
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 a 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
young girl-perhaps just past twenty
sort of girl. with fresh color. warm
brown eyes and a 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 I come in?" she asked Isn't
this the Gray bungalow"
Assuring her that 1t was. George
stumbled over a 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 ! 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. l came for only a 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 told him
wouldn't stay unless l could earn
enough money to take. care Of my
self I'm not q bit clever. and l don't
know how to teach or do anything
But the other day had an idea.
Il hate to play cards and love to
take care Of children-that's Just the
opposite of most of the women about
here. There's . card club at least
once 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-
-. nd to taE 10
Of their children afternoons when
they want to have a good time. So
thought I'd be not mothers helper.
exactly but-a fathers helper.
Ann ended her recital breathless
and laughing.
Isn't 1t a jolly idea?" she went on
And 1t isn't q bit expensive for you
fathers Club afternoons | entertain
the children for fifteen cents apiece
and call for and deliver them. too
For a quarter apiece | take them on
other days-private treatment. you
know. and I 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. I thought maybe you'd be
one of my customers"
For the first time Ann stopped
long enough to let George explain
She looked at him appealingly from
her soft brown eyes.
But I'm not Mr.. Gray" said
George. with real regret I'm just
MIR Walton. The Grays have gone
Unexpectedly to California, and I've
taken their bungalow. You see.
write stories"
oh. I'm 20 SORRY" apologizei
Ann Il 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 ss he ran confidently
up to George.
oh. but after ALL" said Ann, when
she saw the boy. maybe you do want
me. Isn't he . dear!"
Isn't he, nowf" said George with
fervor, as an idea for seeing more
of Ann came into his head.
And Mrs. Walton does play cards
| suppose?" questioned Ann.