The Delta independent., 1917-01-19
THE ALDERMAN's 0. K.
BY JOSEPH T. kesceL.

vartably chuckled. That's whai puts
grub under my belt"
One summer day his clear brown
eyes shifted their gaze from inter Of
papers on the desk before him TO un
open window. through which gentle
breeze nuttered.
He threw both hands upward iinpa-
tiently and reached for the telephone.
Thanks very much. Alice" he con-
cluded a moment later. "I'll be down
shortly to take out the kiddie."
Within a half-hour he stepped into
one of New York's railroad stations.
BY the hand he led sturdy boy of
seven. whose radiant face beamed In
anticipation OF q glorious outing.
The gateman's curt words imInedl-
ately dampened the holiday spirit.
Bars up against youngsters leav-
ing town without Board of Health GER
tificate. It's this tufantile paralysis
scare" he added.
Crandall suddenly stopped short.
His surprised eyes lighted upon a tall.
graceful figure standing but few feet
distant. A little girl. about Biily's age.
aifectionately clutched her hand.
"Bettyi" he cried bounding to her
side.
Fred e. Their hands clasped IN a
warm pressure.
The last person In the world ! ex-
pected to meet here" he cried heart
lily. sit down for a moment and tell
me about yourself and the old folks
back at Creston."
Elizabeth Thurston's willing and
.rl~ k.t.
ory a complete picture. which flashed
through his mind like moving pan
Drama.
He saw all over again how she had
blossomed into womanhood and mad
returned his love. His case had been
well pleaded with her father. who re-
fused his consent to their marriage
right up TO the day Crandnll forsook
the little village. Even as II II were
yesterday did he remember his last
meeting with Betty and her words. Il
must obey father"
Crandall let his gaze shift from Eliz-
abeth Thurstons animated counte-
nance to the little girl Nesting In her
lap.
Your husband" he ventured. In an
effort to break the suspense. where
is"
The girl blushed In embarrassment
and gasped: 'Husband7 Why. Tm
not married"
The child. H." He left his sen
tence unfinished.
"The daughter Of my sister Kate,
VINO lives In New Jersey" Betty
hastily explained. again glancing at
Billy.
"what-ohl" I" he exclaimed. "nllow
me to present Master Billy Andrews.
my nephew. We figured a glorious day
In the country. but had to change our
plans"
And Ellen and cannot go home
without q certificate" she returned
~ didn't know II was necessary until
we reached the station"
After moments thoughtful study
his head popped up. 1--WE an alder
man friend" he broke out. who should
help me get those certificates"
CrandnII's stride was unusually brisk
as he stepped into a telephone booth
few minutes later. He was soon In
earnest conversation with someone
whom ne Familiarity addressed as
Jack
"You can arrange it7 Bully Tor you"
There was moments silence.
Thanks. Jack" he said delighfedly.
Everything arranged. Betty" said
CrandaiI proudly when he reJoined her
mo trouble at all. Mr.. O'Hara viii
have the certificates at his home by
noon.
"Ohi. T'm so glad. You've no idea
now ! dread that disagreeable red
tape" she smilingly replied
As they settled into the tonnenu OF
the automobile Frederick Crandall's
right hand closed fondly over her small
left one. toying cautiously with the
third finger.
Right on time" doomed voice
from the topinosi step, ns the nutomo
bile came to stop In front Of the
aIderman's house
Elizabeth ana CrandalI Immediately
signed some papers under the direction.
OF a notary. to which Mrs. O'Hara and
her daughter Inscribed their nnmes as
Witnesses.
thumbed the worn pages OF small
book until his dancing blnck eyes TO
cussed their gaze upon deeply-under-
stood paragraph. In a mumbIing but
rich Irish brogue. which rendered his
words entirely unintelligible, he begnn
to read.
Stopping abruptly he cleared ILLS
throat and looked squnrely af the girl.
"EIizabeth Marion Thurston. do you
take this man to be your law"
nervous "Ohi" escaped her. and
she quickly jerked her hand from Gran
dalls