The Parker post., 1914-02-21
HIS VOLUNTEER GUARDIAN
BY e. G. HOGSHEAD.

There" said Mrs. Kenyon, as she
hung up the receiver, 81 hope she'll
feel ashamed of herself now. That's
the third time this afternoon that girl
has called up to ask for Irving-she
wants him to call for her this eve
ming. She's the boldest young woman
ever met"
And her kindly blue eyes flashed
and her cheeks Redeemed. 81 don't
believe I'll tell him." she declared.
IF do he'll surely go, and l hate to
see him imposed on in that fashion"
"But you must tell him, mother"
said her daughter. She'll surely tell
him if you don't and he's only our
guest, you know. You can't take the
liberties with him that you would
with Bob. Anyway, he seems quite
fond of her!"
Fond of her!" exclaimed Mrs.
Kenyon "She has deliberately infat-
uated him. I wish Bob would speak
to Irving. AS his roommate at col
lege he ought to have some influence
with him. If Irving's mother knew OF
the attention and money he is lavish
ing on that girl she'd be Mortified.
feel responsible for him while he's
in my house. I'd want her to do as
much for Bob"
"There's really nothing to do but
to let things slide till the boys go
back to college next week." declared
her daughter.
But the path of least resistance
was never the path of duty for Mrs.
Kenyon. The difficulty of the situa,
ton appealed to her powers of STRAIT
egg. Dinner that evening was pur-
posely, though apparently by acci-
dent delayed half hour. From soup
to ice she deftly and tactfully dis
cussed the charming girls of their
circle with sly innuendos about the
unwomanliness of calling up men at
all times and imposing upon their
leisure.
After dinner two of Bob's friends
dropped in for a game Of billiards.
Mrs. Kenyon welcomed them cordial
~. Ou0 "dICCu I'LL ChOJ "OAO NAA
deeply interested in the game. Then
she said suddenly:
There, I nearly forgot. Miss FL
bridge called you up several times
this afternoon, Irving. She wants
you to call for her this evening. The
directions are on the phone tablet.
I wish I had told you before. I'm SO
sorry"
Irving, with exasperating cheerful
ness, excused himself and fastened
away. Mrs. Kenyon met her daugh-
ter's teasing smile with a swift
glance of indignation.
During the next few days rumors
of theater party and taxi for a
dance increased her chagrin and de-
termination. At the end of the week
her opportunity came.
Mrs. Kenyon" said Irving with
good deal of embarrassment, "I want
gift for a very dear friend of mine,
something worth while-like fine
silk umbrella-for a lady-a stylish
one. I hate to put you to any trou-
BILE, but you see I don't know much
about these things and thought per-
haps you'd help me OUT
"But, my dear boy objected Mrs.
Kenyon, you don't want anything SO
expensive as that. Flowers, books or
music would be just as"
''But think lot of her." he inter
rupted, "and I want something worth
while. Here's $40. I don't know
what those things are worth. If it
isn't enough just let me know and I'll
give you more" Then he hurried out
Of the room.
MRS. Kenyon frowned. "The ideal"
she said. ''Well, that young woman
will be disappointed this time. I'll
make it my business to see that
there'll be no extravaganza here"
With purpose of vindictive econ.
omy she confined her shopping to the
basement sections of the department
stores. And it seemed that never be-
fore had bargains been so numerous
and so alluring.
''This is an unusual bargain" said
one salesman. cts $12 value re-
duced to $3.50 It's the very latest
style and the only one left"
Mrs. Kenyon fortified herself against
the temptation with the vision of Bob
in Irving's place and purchased in
stead a regular So silk and cotton
umbrella. She met Irving's inquiries
with an easy conscience.
why, Mrs. Kenyon!" he said. care
you sure that's good enough? 1t
seems so cheap. Would you have
bought just that kind If it had been
for yourself?"
"Why, yes, indeed" replied Mrs.
Kenyon, promptly, forcing down the
tantalizing recollection of the $12
value for $3.50. mo one could wish
for nicer one"
well, I'm glad of that" he said.