The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1916-06-10
Queer
Mr.. Gunter
By F. A. Mitchell

never did anything In way any one
else would do It. He had about him
a grim humor that few persons under
stood. If he did one a favor he &C
companied 1t with slap; If he gave
a slap he accompanied it with 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 1t usually
does with girls-wAen 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, l 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 to give your con-
sent, though l hope you viii 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 hope you won't
perpetrate any of your peculiarities on
Mr.. Auchlncloss. Please remember that
he is stranger to you. and even II
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 a 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
"Oh. 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
II trust" he replied, that Clara will
have your hearty consent, for am
sure that II she does not have 1t heI
happiness will be greatly marred."
Don't you believe It. When Glars
makes up her mind to do thing Her
cules himself isn't strong enough t.
prevent her."
The young man, who by this time
showed considerable agitation, started
las for doing you favor in givinl
her to you" continued Mr. Gunter. ''tht
boot is on the other foot. She has
bossed me ever since she was born
and / need rest. Have cigarT"
mo, thanks; don't smoke; at least
l don't care to smoke Just now. Yot
, surprise me by the character you give
. Clara. have found her a model o.
amiability and not In the least disposed
to claim her own way"
"Just you wait till you're married
perceive that you are ignorant Of tn,
, wiles Of these creatures. They ar,
honey till they get you in their toll
and nitric acid after the knot Is tied"
"But-Clara-it can't be possible tina
: one SO childlike"-
"Childlike! Kittenish you SHOULD
say. It's that kittenish way she hal
with her that am speaking of. Shell
tie you with a rope OF flowers and ga,
you with ripe peach. Then shell
proceed to rife your pockets. On THU
account l think 1t essential that
should provide the family pocketbool
with ample funds. will at least TAX.
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. II yor
! VIII name your income It will enable
me to know what sum will be neces
{ sary to keep you from being ruined"
when my aunt dies shall inherit
: from her about S12.OO0'-
"She won't die. Old women who ar,
no use to themselves and whose prop
erty is needed by younger persons new
er die. Besides. the sum you expect
J win not be-
But my salary Is $1,000"
, whats $1,000 for a girl like Clara
No. l see that shall have to stand
In the breach. l have $4,000 In firs
mortgage per cent bonds that l VII
give my daughter. and II she gets NJ
in the middle Of the night and goes fol
your pocketbook the more fool you fol
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 anC
, covered his face with kisses. Their
. she took her lover by the arm and LEI
: him away.
isn't your father a bit queerr' ask
: ed Mr.. AuchincIoss.
, -Queer? No. Why do you thinI
: him queer?"
E Why he told me that you were
"0h, yes, heard it all. Papa need
! to be understood. So do l."
The young man looked bewildered.