Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1916-12-14
THEIR Fathers FRIENDS
BY CATHERINE cRANMER.

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Anything startling in the evening
paper, dad?' asked Betty Allen as she
perched on the arm of her fathers
chair and bent her blond head to scan
the headlines Of the paper he was read
ing.
Nothing exactly startling, but here's
something that ought to interest u.s."
He pointed to paragraph, and Betty
began to read:
"Theron M. Clay, candidate for con.
gressional representative from the Sew
enth district, will be one OF, the speak.
ers at the political mass meeting at
Stanhope hall tomorrow evening. Mr..
Clay has brilliant record as an attor-
ney and is said to be gifted orator.
"Whew! That doesn't sound so in
teresting to me-" said Betty. Besides,
I'm going to Mrs. Andrews dinner
dance with Jerry Davis tomorrow eve
ming"
That's very awkward, daughter, for
l was talking to Theron Clay today by
telephone and l invited him to have
dinner with us tomorrow evening"
"I'll tell you, daddy-Tn entertain
your Henry Clay at dinner If you'll let
me motor to Hill Creek lodge with
Jerry tomorrow to the tennis tourna-
ment."
The tennis tournament ended at four
o'clock the next afternoon and Betty
found so many friends to greet and 50
many victors to congratulate that be-
fore she knew 1t five o'clock had come.
"Mercy me, Jerry!" she exclaimed in
dismay. Here I am playing around
when ought to be home SOLDERING up
for the ordeal Of being hostess to Hen
ry Clay. Let's 60 at once or I'll be late
for my own dinner party"
Jerry's blue car shot smoothly out
on the rock roads and Betty began to
feel relieved. AS they went silently
coasting down a long hill at the base
of which was hairpin curve, Jerry
neglected to obey the signboard warm
ing to blow his horn, and when he
made the turn he was compelled to
veer wildly to the roadside to avoid
running into three men replacing tire
on large touring car that stood at the
left of the road. In the tall grass at
the roadside, Jerry's front tire fairly
pinioned itself on the jagged neck of
a large broken bottle, and deafening.
long hiss followed.
II beg your pardon" said deep
voice at the side of the car, "but our
machine Is now ready to continue its
journey, and we shall be happy to
take the lady into town If she will
honor us by allowing us to do So"
The speaker, who was tall, digni-
fed man in dark gray tweeds and
soft black hat, addressed himself to
Jerry, but looked at Betty for a re-
ply.
The next minute she was waving
good-by to somewhat disconsolate
Jerry, and the big car moved away.
The man who had invited her to ac-
company them sat on the rear seat
with Betty.
~, too, run the risk of being late
for dinner" said her seat mate, land
Of inconveniencing others while EN-.
barrassing myself"
'That's too bad" said Betty, sympa.
thetically. The big mans big voice
made her feel even smaller than she
was. IF 1t wasn't for daddy, I wouldn't
mind. I promised him to be nice to a
friend Of his tonight, and don't want
him to think I'm playing off,"
"That's funny" said the man, "for
I'm inconveniencing myself to please
a friend of my father, too"
Betty felt delightful sense of com.
panionship sitting there beside this
man with the sympathetic voice, and
she spoke out half unconsciously
II hoped to get home In time to rest
for the ordeal ahead of me, but now
I'll do well If get into my dinner gown
and get my salad made before Henry
Clay arrives"
Just then the chauffeur asked for
instructions about reaching Betty's
home, and as she bent to give them
she missed the look of amused surprise
on her companions face, but she
turned toward him just in time to see
his eyes open wide in sudden under
standing as he heard her give the
driver the same house number which
John Allen had given him the day be-
fore when inviting him to dine with
them.
"Then you are Mr.. Aliens daugh.
ter?' asked the man eagerly.
"Ye-es," said Betty, looking very
straight at him. Then her blue eyes
slowly rounded with surprise. "You
can't be Mr.. Clay, can your"
II can't be anybody else" he said,
handing her his card. "And hope
the daughter of my fathers friend will
forgive me for any rudeness implied In
what said about its being self-sacri-
flee to accept his invitation"
II think it is who should ask to be
forgiven for my flippant use of the
name of your kinsman, Henry Clay"
said Betty, with a blush. When they
reached the hall, Betty laid hand
gently on her fathers arm.
Daddy, DEAR" she said sweetly,
looking from him to their guest, "yOu