The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1913-07-19

Emily came running. MISS Dawes put an arm about her. Captain Cy stepped forth.
 They were there, as Georgfanna had said-Mr. Thomas on the top step, He man and Simpson on the next lower and behind them Abel Leonard and a group of interested volunteers.
 "Evenin', gentlemen said the cap tain, opening the door briskly.
 'Evenin'," repeated Captain Cy. "Qu1te surprise party you're givin' me. Come in.''
 "Cyrus." began the Honorable At kinS, I've are here to claim''-
 ''Give me my daughter, you robber?' demanded Thomas from his new po- sition in the rear of the other two.
 E'Mr. Thomas." said Heman, please remember that I am conducting this affair. respect the natural indigna- tion of an outraged father. but-aheml Cyrus, we are here to claim
 "Then do your claimin' inside. It's kind of chilly tonight. There's plenty hold an overflow meetin'. Come ahead in.'
 The trio looked at each other in hesitation Then MT. Atkins majes- ttcally entered the dining room.
 
 'sAbe,'' observed Captain Cy to Leon ard, who was advancing toward the steps, -sI'm sorry not to be hospitable. at once, and 'tatn't polite to show par tiality. You and the rest are welcome to sit on the terrace or stroll round the deer park Good night"
 He closed the door in the face of the inf HNn1 nd 7Ad fN Ia0 three in the room.
 s'Well," he said. tout with it. You've come to claim somethin', under stand"
 seI come for my rights!'' shouted MT. Thomas
 s'Yes? Well. this atn't state prison or I'd give lem to you with pleasure Heman, you'd better do the talkin'. Wen probably get ahead faster"
 The honorable cleared his throat and waved his hand.
 Cyrus he began. t+you are my boy hood friend and my fellow townsman and neighbor. Under such circum- stances it gives me pain"-
 ''Then don't let us discuss. painful subjects. Let's get down to business You've come to rescue Bos'n-Emily, that is-from the 'robber'-I'm quottn' Deacon Thomas here-that's got her, so's to turn her over to her sorrowin' father. Is that it? Yes? Well, you can't have her-not yet''
 Cyrus" said MT. Atkins, t'I'm sor- Ey to see that you take it this way. You haven't the shadow of a right. We have the law with us, and your conduct will lead us to invoke it The constable is outside. Shall call him imp
 Uncle Bedny'' was the town con- stable and had been since before the war The purely honorary office was given him each year as a joke. Cap tain Cy grinned broadly, and even Tad was obliged to smile.
 Don't be inhuman, Heman,'' urged the captain "You wouldn't turn me over to be manhandled by Uncle Bed ny, would your"
 This is not a humorous affair be- gan the congressman, with dignity. But the ''bereaved father'' had been prospecting on his own hook, and now he peeped into the sitting room.
 Here she is!'' he shouted. 'T see her! Come on, Emmfe! Your dads come for you. Let go of her, you wo- manI What do you mean by holdin' on to her?'
 The situation, which was mot hu- morous," immediately became much less so. The next minute was a live 1y one. It ended as MT. Thomas was picked up by Tad from the floor, where he had fallen, having been pushed vio- lently over a chair by Captain Cy. Bos'n, frightened and sobbing, was wildly to Miss Dawes, who had chung just as firmly to her. The captains voice rang through the room
 '1That's enough he said That's enough and some over. Atkins, take that feller out this house and off my premises. As for the girl, that's for us to fight out in the courts. Pm her guardian. lawfully appointed, and you nor nobody else can touch her while that appointments good. Here it is, right here. Now look at 1t and clear outY'
 He held for the congressman's in- spection the document which, inclos- ed in the long envelope, had been re- ceived that morning. His visit to Os- table, made some weeks before, had been for the purpose of applying to the probate court for the appointment as Enily's guardian. He had applied be- fore the news of her fathers coming to life reached him. The appointment itself had arrived just in time.
 MT. Atkins studied the document
 "Humphr' he grunted. 'tHumph! see. Well, sir, have some influence in this section, and I shall see how long your-your trick will prevent the child's going where she belongs. wish you to understand that I shall continue this fight to the very last.''
 ''Yup. So I've heard. We'll, Heman, atn't as well up in tricks as you claim to be, nor my stockin' isn't as well padded as yours maybe. But while there's a ten cent piece left in the toe of it I'll fight you and the skunk whose rights you seem. to have taken such a shine to-and, after that, while there's a lawyer that'u trust me. And meantime that little girl stays right here, and you touch her if you dare, any of you! Anything