Tensas gazette. [volume] (St. Joseph, La.) 1886-current, 1917-02-02
The ALDERMAN'S 0. K.
sy JOSEPH T. kESCEL.

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Frederick Crandalls friends spoke OF
him as "the writer" to which he In
variably chuckled, That's what puts
grub under my belt"
One summer day his clear brown
eyes shifted their gaze from litter OF
papers on the desk before him to an
open window, through which a gentle
breeze fiuttered.
He threw both hands upward impa-
tiently and reached 46rsth 1eapphons.
~ sflf41As Wy IhSE Alice" he con-
cluded a moment later. "Pll 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
anticipation of a glorious outing.
The gateman's curt words immedi-
ately dampened the holiday spirit.
BARS up against youngsters leav-
ing town without Board of Health GER
tificate. It's this infantile paralysis
scare, ne auueu-
Crandall suddenly stopped short.
His surprised eyes lighted upon tall.
graceful figure standing but few feet
distant. A little girl, about Billy's age,
affectionately clutched her hand.
"Betty!" he cried. bounding to her
side.
Fred" Their hands clasped in a
warm pressure.
THE last person in the world 1 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
vivid recital brought back to his men,
Ory complete picture. which flashed
through his mind like a moving pam
Drama.
He saw all over again how she had
blossomed into womanhOOd and had
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 Crandall fOrsook
the little village. Even as II 1t 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 Thurston's animated cOunte-
nance to the little girl nesting In her
lap.
-your husband" he ventured, In an
effort to break the suspense. where
b-
The girl bluhed In embarrassment
and gasped: Husband? Why. I'm
not married"
"The child, L." He left his SEN
tence unfinished.
"The daughter Of my sister Kate.
who lives in New Jersey" Betty
hastily explained. again glancing at
Billy.
"What-ohw he exclaimed, "allow
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 a certificate" she returned.
IL didn't know 1t was necessary until
we reached the station"
/ After q moments thoughtful study
his head popped up. 1--WE an alder
man friend" he broke out, "who should
help me get those certificates"
! Crandalls stride was unusually brisk
as he stepped into telephone booth a
! few minutes later. He was soon In
earnest conversation with someone
whom he familiarly addressed as
Jack"
"You can arrange It? Bully for you"
There was moments silence.
Thanks, jack" he said delightedly.
Everything arranged. Betty" said
Crandall proudly, when he rejoined her.
mo trouble at all. Mr.. O'Hara will
have the certificates at his home by
noon.
"Oh!, I'm so glad. You've no idea
how I dread that disagreeable red
tape" she smilingly replied.
AS they settled into the tonneau of
the autOmODlle rTcucIlCh Oiuuuoh
right hand closed fondly over her small
left one. toying cautiously with the
third finger.
Fright on time." doomed voice
from the topmOst step, as the automo'
bile came to a stop In front of the
alderman's house.
Elizabeth and Crandall Immediately
signed some papers under the direction
Of a notary, to which Mrs. O'Hara and
her daughter inscribed their names az
witnesses.
Carefully Councilman OHars
thumbed the worn pages Of small
book until his dancing black eyes TO
cussed their gaze upon deeply-under'
stood paragraph. In a mumbling but
rich Irish brogue. which rendered his
words entirely unintelligible, he began
to read.
Stopping abruptly he cleared hii
throat and looked sQuarely at the girl
Elizabeth Marion Thurston. do yor
take this man to be your law"
nervous "Ohw escaped her, and
ho~ kon Nro