Iowa state bystander. [volume] (Des Moines, Iowa) 1894-1916, 1913-07-04
LIGHT FOR FATHER

spoke In a low and impressive voice:
Henry" she said, I'm afraid that
young man wants to marry Mabel"
"Huhg" exclaimed her husband. He
dropped his paper. stared minute
and then picked It up and shook IL
out f1ercely. "Nonsense!" he finished
shortly.
mo nonsense about it!" declared
his wife. II guess I know the symp-
toms! Men are SO blind! Why, ne
calls four nights a week and he
phones her every day, and as for
flowers! And candy!"
Bonesteel snorted. you make me
tired. Araminta.' he told his wife.
Just because the boys flock around
Mabel you think they all want to mar
ry her! Why, she's not thinking OF
marrying for years and years! She's
only twenty! It's absurd! Anyhow
that young jackanapes probably
doesn't earn enough to buy salt Tor
potatoes. He'll have more sense
That's the very kind" said Mrs.
Bonesteel. that elope-and then they
come home and weep on your front
doorstep and you take them In! I'm
not looking for son-in.law! I'm not
looking for a millionaire, but ] want
Mabel to marry a smart business man
and don't like the way that young
Ferguson looks at her! Girls are so
impressionable! 1t seems to me that
you'd better let me take her away on
a trip"
"Araminta,' said Mr.. Bonesteel IN
awful tones, do you mean to say that
you fear our combined intellects and
Mabel's natural good sense are not
match for all the absurd and ride
ulous puppy love tales that young
Ferguson can tell herr"
"I mean just that" said his wife.
decidedly. ITS got to be stopped"
"Fiddiesticks!" snapped Mabefs
father. why, I sent bushels Of flow.
ers to all sorts Of girls and didn't
marry 'em at all! It's no sign"
II got a few flowers myself" said
Mrs. Bone steel, land I know how the
young men acted who went with the
flowers! didn't actually have to
grab you when you came along, Henry
Bonesteel. let me tell you! There
were others! What I'm afraid OF is
that Mabel won't wait for the right
Henry"
Mabel would never like him said
her father. decidedly. She's too
smart. She's just amusing herself.
They all like to daily that way. Girls
will be girls"
That's just It." interrupted his wife,
They will be foolish and crazy and
spoil their lives If their parents"
What would you like to have me
do?" inquired Mr. Bonesteel, politely.
would you advise my walking down
into the parlor and saying, Excuse
me, sir, but If your intentions are
serious, allow me to kick you of the
front porch, because l don't like the
style Of your nose?' That would
signify the desire to protect my
daughter from his unwelcome atten-
tons. L" Sd
Don't be silly" said his wife. Il
believe you really like young Fergu-
SOM"
II am a fair minded man . said
Bonesteel. land personally have
nothing against Mr.. Ferguson, moth
ing! l don't see why Mabel shouldn't
enjoy a few flowers and little candy
and endure a few calls from him II
she chooses! She isn't going to marry
him, let me tell you! I'm not afraid,
not bit! You are hysterical wom-
an. Araminta. and you can't judge
things at their proper values at all.
Not at ALL"
Every WE'LL" said his wife. You'll
see! And don't say didn't tell you!
I don't see how he can manage to pay
rent for decent fiat. I suppose we
could give the two front rooms here!"
"Bosh!" said Bonesteel. "Why don't
you be calm and sensible the way
am and stop worrying? There's
nothing to worry about! Not a
thing! Oh-er-hello, Mabel! Caller
gomez"
Eyes," said Mabel, who had just
come upstairs.
She was very pink as to cheeks and
bright as to eye. II. her fingers she
twisted a rose. Looking at It she
smiled family. Then she regarded
herself in the mirror in a faraway
manner and touched her hair. ....
Did you ever notice. she inquired
generally, "the way he lifts his head
when he Is pleased?" -
NO" said her father, II can't ex.
actly say ever did" He coughed,
glared at his wife and strangled. He
eyed his daughter as though she were
a new and dangerous specimen just
dug up that he had never seen before.
by the way, Mabel-what do you
say to taking trip east with your
mother for the spring? Shopping and
theaters and Atlantic City, was Just
thinking you needed a change!"
"A-a-hem!" shifted Mrs. Bonesteel.
please pass me that spool of thread.
Henry!" E.;
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