The Marion daily mirror. (Marion, Ohio) 1892-1912, 1912-01-05

kindness OF his future stepson. AS he
drew near 1t hc saw that stepson lean
ing over the gate. awaiting him with
an air OF inelfable serenity.
The Terror politely opened the gate
for him, and with kind smile asked
him II he had slept well.
Look here. my lad" said Captain
Baster rather thickly 81 don't want
any more of your tricks! You play an
other on me, and I'll give you the
soundest licking you ever had ["
An expression OF deep pain broke the
serenity of the Terror's face Nov,
whatever has put your back up" he
said In n tone Of amazement "Was II
the applc-ple he'd. or the clothes brush
or the KEYS. or the shaving brush, or
the wet boot or the clothes-linc across
the road? | thought you loved a
jokcY
II was we'll that the Terror could
spring with a eats swiftness; Captain
Busters boot missed him by a hairs
breadth.
The Terror ran around the house TO
the waiting Hrebus "WaXyT' he cried
ioyously. Hes black In the face 4!
Now, mind you stick TO them like a
leech. Don't give him Il chance TO get
word alone with Mum"
''Oh. | understand :" said Erebus i'm.
patiently. But anyone could do this.
It's you that's getting all the real fun.
But I'm going 60 have my share: SO I
tell you. The first chance | get, I'm
going TO stone. hlm--so therew
"All right But II doesn't seem quite
the kind OF work for you, You know"
said the Terror I'm n judicial tone.
Rats" said Erebus.
Captain Bastcr started on his walk
glOOmily; he did not try 20 hide from
himself that Mrs. Dangerfield had lost
some Of her charm; she was the
mother OF the Terror. And Ercbus
was nuisance; she would talk about
wet boots; the subject seemed TO fnsci-
nate her And when he recovered his
spirits and rose to proposing point, she
would not leave them. She was Inn
pervious to hints. How could a man
be his humorous self in these circum-
stanceSI He felt that hls humOr was
growing strained, losing It's delightful
ilghtness. Then the accident; Il was
entirely Erebus's own fault. he could
swear il. that he trlpped over her foot
and pitched Into that Internal gorse-
bush. Her howls OF anguish were all
humbug; he had not hurt her ankle,
he could swear IT. there was not q
tear. The moment he offered. furi-
ously. to carry her, she walked with.
out a vestlge OF limp, Mrs. Danger
field had no right TO be vexed with
him; If one brought up ones children
like that-well.
The most serious doubts whether the
mother of such children was the right
wife for him were assailing him
when, as they drew near Colet House
a slim, tall young man Of an extreme
elegance and distinction came out of It's
gate to meet them.
With a cry of "Uncle Maurice !" the
crippled Erebus dashed TO meet him
with the light bounds of an antelope
Captain Baster could not believe his
eyes: he knew him by sight by name
and by repute; II was Sir Maurice
Falconer, the man he most longed tC
boast his friend. with his aid man
might climb the highest social peak tC
the very top. When Mrs. Dangerfield
introduced Sir Maurice as her brother
(he had never dreamed it) he could
not believe his good fortune.
Captain Baster was not one to lose
a golden opportunity; never did he SC
thoroughly demonstrate his right Il
the name of Pallybaster His frlendli
ness was overwhelming.
He could not bear that anyone elst
should have a word with Sir Maurice
He never gave a thought to his pro
pOsal: indeed there was no haste; h'
knew that Mrs. Dangerfeld was await
ing II with passionate impatience
The Twins were intOlerable with theil
Interruptions he wondered how Sil
Maurice could endure 1t, when he hat
n man OF the world humorous. know
Ing, WEALTHY, 10 talk 10, In truth h,
was a little disappointed In Sir Mau
! rice; ne did not find him frankly re
sponsive- polite, yes indeed, politenes
could go no further; but he lacIxe,
warmth. When, at seven o'clock. Cap