The Marshall republican., 1913-05-30
THEIR DAUGHTER LUCIA
BY JEsslcA cAR1ARY.

The man was hurrying to the sub
way, when a child's voice called:
Daddy. Daddyl"
lie turned at the sacond call. but
he was in haste, and had not time
to heed the voice that was 30 like
that OF his baby.
All the way down town the voice
kept ringing in his ears, and during
the day he continued 20 hear IL, SO
that at three o'clock he left the Office
and came uptown In the hope OF see
ing her again.
The Clarks had been divorced two
years before and lie hadn't seen
Lucia, their baby. since. though he.
ns well as his wife. had worstiped
her.
One afternoon about dusk he saw
her Oh Riverside drive. She was In
front Of him. slowly he followed. She
was with a maid. Presently they
crossed the drive. and went into an
apartment house. lie watched them
30 In, then followed.
The hall was empty, save for the
elevator boy.
Does Mrs. Thomas Clark live
here?" he asked anxiously.
Yes, sir" the boy answered. That
was her little girl, Miss Lucia. I Just
took up"
Thank you" And he hurried out.
For three days he pondered tho
situation; he had agreed to leave the
child entirely TO his wife. but now
after two years he longed for her
as no had never thought Eo could for
anything.
The next day he called, 10 be told
that Miss Lucia was out.
Tho succeeding day he called n half
hour later. 10 DO told tho same thing.
As he had now no intotlon OF giving
up his quest. he continued to call each
day ut tho came hour. on the tenth
day Miss Lucia was at home.
He was shown into the library.
Down on her stomach In front OF tho
IRE ho found Lucia. The soft glow
OF the FIRE shone on the little figure.
turning tho yellow curls TO gold. Ito
watched her while she talked to q
Teddy bear.
VI wonder. Teddy. why We don't
find father? Mothers all right, but
little girls need fathers" O.
The man with tears IN his eyes
was kneoling when she turned and
saw him. and with n glad cry she
came TO him.
For several hours he held her tight.
an exquisite Joy thrilling him. and
though the door opened and closed
twice. he noticed II. When he
left he promised her'to como again
next day.
That night n very happy little girl
nfked her mother for n story about
her father. but the mother. on the plea
Of belng very tired. refused.
After tho child had gone TO bed Mrs.
Clark sat for a long time trying to de-
edo what 10 do regarding the father
whom she never wanted her child to
know. At last she decided that II she
allowed Lucia to do as she desired
perhaps the natural peryerseness OF
human nature would assert Itself, and
Lucia would not a for him at all.
Don't you love mother now?" she
asked n day. And when he didn't
reply. she put her little hand on his
face to find the cheek wet. She
didn't ask any more questions. only
murmured: Daddy. | love you"
She was quite hearbroken when he
told her he must so away for a couple
OF weeks.
lie VAS gone much longer than he
expected to be. and II was the week
before Christmas when he returned.
He found Lucia In the same position
as the first time.
Baby, dear" he said as he lifted
her up.
They sat quietly that Mrs. Clark.
coming into the room, was halfway
across before she observed them. Az
she turned to leave he looked up and
their eyes met.
A c~onyulsiye clasp OF the body made
the child look at him.
Father, when are you coming home
for always? =.
He started and laughed harshly.
then he took the bright little face in
his two hands. and looked ut 1t In
tently. : 1851 Inn I3 stsiy
"a don't know, baby girl" he said,
sadly, Tibut whenever mother win let
| me-"
shee~ipped to the nobr ana quietly
left the room.
He hardly noticed that she had
gone. her question had suggested SC
many Possibilities. Clare had looked
kindly at him.
"Father!" Two small arms were
around his neck and a dear little face
close to his. my father dearl" the
voice was very low. mother says you
may come home whenever you want
to-"