The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1916-05-19
Queer
MIR. Gunter
By F. A. Mitchell

else would do it, He had about him
grim humor that few persons under
stood. If he did one a favor he &C
companied it with a slap; if lie gave
a slap he accompanied it with a favor
The consequence was that the object
of his favors and his slaps didn't know
whether to love or TO hate him.
Possibly the only person who thor
oughly understood Mr. Gunter was his
daughter. Clara The reason of her
understanding was that she was
chip of the old block. She was the
apple of his eye. Whatever she want
ed of him she got; whatever he wanted
of her he didn't get, though there was
nothing he wanted from her except a
demonstration of affection, and she
was so much like him that the more
she loved him the more indifferently
she treated him.
Well. the time came-as it usually
does with girls-when she got lover.
She went into the country for the sum-
mer and came back engaged. On her
return she said to her father:
Papa, ] have met the man ] wish
/ to marry. He will come to see you to
ask you for me. That, of course. is
mere form. am too like you to be
thwarted in anything desire. There
fore you have only 10 give your con-
sent, though | hope you will be
pleased"
Just So" remarked the parent.
Miss Gunter turned away, but paus-
ed, looking at her father with bit Of
anxiety in her expression
Papa" she said, II bope you won't
perpetrate any of your peculiarities on
Mr. Auchncloss. Please remember that
he is a stranger to you, and even if
he had known you all his life he would
not understand you"
my dear. | am too much like you to
refrain from whatever may occur to
me. | shall doubtless do as you would
do If similarly placed. | am sorry to
have daughter with so many of my
own imperfections and am sorry to
have so many of my daughters imper-
fections."
That Miss Clara was uneasy was evil
dent. Nevertheless she said no more
The same evening Mr.. Auchincloss call
ed, asked for Mr. Gunter and was in
troduced into that gentleman's study.
Possibly, Mr. Gunter," he said "your
daughter has Informed YOU
ooh, yes; she has told me all about
it, You were to call for my consent to
her marriage with you, but since my
/ consent is mere matter of form you
+, may as well cut 1t short"
| The young man looked much sur.
prised.
! 81 trust" he replied, that Clara will
have your hearty consent, for | am
sure that If she does not have it her
happiness will be greatly marred."
Don't you believe it, When Clara
makes up her mind to do a thing Her
cules himself isn't strong enough ia
prevent her.
The young man, who by this time
showed considerable agitation, started
AS for doing YOU favor in giving
her 10 YOU" continued Mr. Gunter, 1.-THE
boot is on the other foot She has
bossed Inc ever since she was born
ana need Il rest. Have a cigar"
No, thanks: | don't smoke ut least
! don't care to smoke just now. YOU
surprise me by the character YOU give
Clara have found hcr :; model OF
amlability and not in the least disposed
to claim her own way"
Just you wait till you're married.
perceive that you are ignorant of the
wfles of these creatures. They are
honey till they get you in their tolls
and nitric acid after the knot Is tied"
"But-Clara-it can't be possible that
one so childlike"-
"Childlike! Kittenish you should
say It's that kittenish way she has
with her that l am speaking of. Shell
tie you with rope of flowers and gas
you with n ripe peach. Then shell
proceed to rifle your pockets. On thi.
account | think it essential that
should provide the family pocketbool
with ample funds. | will at least take
away the necessity for her to rob yor
by providing her with what she viii
need. Besides, feel under obligations
to you for taking on yourself yoke
that has always been mine. If vol
VIII name your income 1t will enabl,
me to know what sum will be neces
sary TO keep you from being ruined"
when my aunt dies | shall inherit
from her about $12,000"-
"She won't die. Old women who ar,
no use to themselves and whose prop
erty is needed by younger persons new
err die. Besides, the sum you expec
will not be-
But my salary is $1,000"
whats $1,000 for a girl like Clara
No. | see that l shall have to stant
in the breach. | have $4,000 in frs
mortgage per cent bonds that l vii
: give my daughter. and If she gets Vi
in the middle Of the night and goes 70
your pocketbook the more fool you 70
leaving it where she can get at it."
At this juncture the object of thes
structures burst into the room, threw
her arms about her fathers neck ant
covered his face with kisses The
she took her lover by the arm and lie,
him away.
isn't your father a bit queer?" ask
ed Mr.. Auchincloss.
Queer? No. Why do you thin
him queer?"
why he told me that you WERE
"Oh, yes. heard it all. Papa need
TO be understood. So do !.
The young man looked bewildered.