The silver state. [volume] (Winnemucca, Nev.) 1909-1925, 1917-11-06
~
. BEING A DEAR DAD |.
y BY HELEN MEDLEY. n

Lane demanded, bursting In upon the
Ashtons his three pretty cousins. A
chorus Of Nobody !" answered him
erescendo, and ending In a sort of
grosn-
why on earth Emmett began.
Lois. the eldest Ashton. took the word
from his lips, saying: Just what We
want 10 knov-and can't End out. Il
is this way-dad says we shan't and
there's an end of IT, Not the least
little smidge Of q reason why"
Upon my world" Emmett ejaculat-
ed-then wheeling upon EN-. the
youngest Of the trio, wtthal the wicked
est hirt; Confess, miss What have
you been doing 10 make a perfectly
good father act up this wayT
Nothing at all. I've had no chance
whatever" EN- pouted, but with the
ghost Of a dimple playing about her
lips. Been oyer at Grandpa Beans
which Is next thing 10 solitary con-
1nement. So lonesome I'd almost
have had heart failure even over you
Even mel Ingratitude. thy name is
En- Ashton" Emmett cried. laying q
hand dIstractedly to his forehead. All
were laughing-even Betty, the staid
middle sister. Lois gasped between
giggles: But / really believe you're
on the right trail. Emmett"
EN- giggied harder than anybody.
She had to-being perfectly aware Of
why dad, usually the most tractable
OF parents, was indeed acting up. The
why was a man-as La usual In case
Of a stern father and a ~distractingiy
pretty girl. Squire Ashton disap
proved Of Barton Clay wholly-from
the crown Of his handsome head to the
soles Of his aristocratic feet. Add that
the fair was, in effect. Barton Clay
he was president of the association
chief exhibitor and giver OF more than
half the prizes-and the mystery ceas
es TO be mysterious
MY respected uncle viii surely get
his come-uppance. / see him now WIKI
three old maids to torment his extreme
age" Emmett commented loftily. Bet
ty amazed all by a vigorous head
HUAhc anu 5dlu 14dhC 4 lWOf RiCooS .
I'm going to marry-if I have to pro-
pose myself. get the license and pay
the parson."
Betsy, I didn't know you could be
so desperate" Emmett cried, trying TO
pinch her cheek. But cheer up-4f
the worst comes, I'll look you up q
susceptible widower-one so new In
grief he don't know enough TO run
away"
"No need. I can always take you
at a pinch" Betty retorted-
EN-. how about your Emmett de-
handed She giggled again. Nothing
doing" she said saucily. "Em, EN-
NETT; we'd get ourselves 30 mixed mp
we couldn't tell who to scold or swear
at, or aggravate. And really. we are an
much alike as our nameA"
mo such thing. You fiatter your
self wildly" Emmett returned, stick
ing out his chin. The battle of wits
so ragged that those engaged had no
ears or eyes for anything outside.
Therefore, a red car halted at the por-
tico steps, the hall door yielded to an
impatient hand which had found
knocking vain and then all Barton Clay
vas among them, nodding to the 9TH
ers, but holding Ems hands as though
he could not let them go, and looking
down into her eyes. What he read
there glortned his face. With a soft
laugh, half blissful, half defiant. he
bent and kissed her, then gathered her
In his arms. Bear witness, I'm no
kidnaper, / take my w from her ia
TIERS house In the face Of daylight and
under the eyes of her-family," he said
proudly-then to EN-: you got my
notei Are you ready to 60 without
waiting for the fairY'
"Tm ready, but / don't know any
thing about any note" EN- answered
openly. nesting TO him. Emmett laid
a hand upon Barton's arm, saying per-
suasiyely: Listen, SON.. don't do this
very foolish thing. You mustn't, In
fact. I won't let you That's my little
sister you're smuggling up there-no-
body's ever going to have the hight to
say hue leIt ner IhLnet y mousse Win u
man not her welded husband. You'd
hate that. same as I would, once you
let yourself think In cold blood Stay
and face the music-otherwise her
father. Wen stand by you. all of us
let him know you mean fair and mean
also to play fair"
Barton grinned-one charm of his
was quick transition. II tell you. II
has been refreshing-this liberal al
lowance Of cold shoulder" he said.
But here comes the grand mogul now.
Who lives up to fine wordsT"
"All Of u.s." Lois said, running TO
meet her father. who entered amid a
chorus "Please." and do be a dear
dad" and such like entreaies. A
glance explained things to him, but
Emmett had to put the case convinc-
ingly In the end. "As a p~ublic-spirited
citizen. you owe 1t to the country to
put a dangerous citizen under bonds