Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1916-10-24
o.. Publishers. Indianapolis.

money, and then-marry without using
the education?"
do not think so. They've been
hne years and you are finer because
OF them. There's just as much oppor
tuntty to use your fineness in home
OF your own as in public school
That's the way look at it."
You don't think I'm too young?"
You're pretty young he said slow
~. II can hardly say, Fairy. You've
always been capable and self posses.
sed. When you and Gene get so crazy
about each other you can't bear to be
apart any longer, it's all right here"
She put her arm around his neck
and rubbed her fingers over his cheek
lovingly
You understand, don't you, father,
that I'm just going to be plain married
when the time comes? Not wedding
like Prudence's. Gene, and the girls,
and Prue and Jerry, and you, father,
that is ALL"
Yes. all right. It's your day, you
know"
And we won't talk much about it
beforehand. We all know how we feel
about things. 1t would be silly for me
to try 10 tell you what a grand sweet
father you've been to us. can't tell
you-if tried I'd only cry. You know
j what think"
His face was against hers, and his
eyes were away from her, so Fairy did
not see the moisture in his eyes when
he said in low voice.:
yes, / know, Fairy. And l don't
need to say what fine girls you are,
! and how proud | am of you. You
know it already. But sometimes" he
added slowly, Il wonder that haven't
! been bigger man. and haven't done
finer work, with houseful of girls
like mine"
Her arm pressed more closely about
his neck. Father" she whispered
/ don't say that. We think you are
wonderfully splendid, just as you are.
1t isn't what you've said, not what
you've done for us, it's because you
have always made us so sure of you
We never had to wonder about father,
or ask 0urselves-we were sure. We've
always had you" She leaned over
and kissed him again. There never
was such father they all say SO, Pru-
dence and Connie, and the twins, too!
There couldn't be another like you!
Now we understand each other. don't
we?"
Il guess so. Anyhow, understand
that there'll only be three daughters
In the parsonage pretty soon All
| right, Fairy. | know you will be hap
py.' He paused moment. so will
But the months passed and Fairy
seemed content to stay quietly at
home. embroidering as Prudence had
done, laughing at the twins as they
tripped gaily. riotously through col
lege. And then In the early spring,
she sent an urgent note to Prudence.
You must come home for a few
days. Prue, you and Jerry It's because
! want you and need you, and know
you won't go back on me. want you
to get here on the early afternoon
train Tuesday and stay till the last of
the week. Just wire that you are COM
ing-the three of you l know you'll
be here, since it is who ask it,
1t followed naturally that Prudence's
answer was satisfactory. "Of course.
we'll come
Fairy'S plans were very simple.
We'll have nice family dinner Tues
day evening-well get Mrs. Green to
come and cook and have her niece to
serve it--that'lf leave us free to visit
every minute. I'll plan the dinner.
Then We'll all be together. nice and
quiet, just our own little bunch. Don't
have dates, twins-of course Gene
will be here. but he's part of the fam
lily and We don't want outsiders this
time. His parents will be in town, and
I've asked them to come up. | want
real family reunion for once. and it's
my party, for started it. So you must
let ME have it'my own way
Fairy was generally willing to leave
the initiative to the eager twins. but
when she made a plan it was generally
worth adopting, and the other MEM
bers of the family agreed to her ar
rangements without demur.
After the first confusion of welcom
ing Prudence home. and making fun
of daddy Jerry" and testing the
weight and length of little Fairy. they
all settled down to a parsonage home
gathering. lust few minutes before
the dinner hour Fairy took her faith
er's hand.
Come into the limelight.' she said
softly, Il want ycu" He passed little
Fairy over to the outstEetched arms
of the nearest auntie, and allowed him.