The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1917-03-15
The AlDERMAN's 0. X.
BY JOSEPH T. KEscEL.


eyes shifted their gaze from a litter of
papers on the desk before him to an
open window, through which q gentle
breeze fluttered.
He threw both hands upward impa-
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 a sturdy boy of
seven. whose radiant face beamed in
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" he added.
Crandall suddenly stopped short,
His surprised eyes lighted upon tall,
graceful figure standing but few feet
distant. A little girl, about Billys age,
affectionately clGtched her hand.
''Betty!" he cried, bounding to her
side.
FIRED !" Their hands clasped in
warm pressure.
"The last person in the world | ex-
pected to meet here" he cried heart
lily. "Sit down for 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,
DRY complete picture, which flashed
through his mind like moving pan
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 if it 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
is"
The girl blushed 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 glorious day
in the country, but had to change our
plans"
and Ellen and | cannot go home
without a certificate" she returned.
81 didn't know it was necessary until
we reached the station"
After a moments thoughtful study
his head popped up. 1--WE an alder
man friend" he broke out, who should
help me get those certificates"
Crandall's stride was unusually brisk
as he stepped into telephone booth a
few minutes later. He was soon in
earnest conversation with someone
whom he familiarity 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 | dread that disagreeable red
tape" she smilingly replied.
AS they settled into the tonneau of |
the automobile Frederick Crandall's |
right hand closed fondly over her small |
left one, toying cautiously with the |
third finger
Fright on time" doomed a voice |
from the topmost step, as the automo-
bile came to a stop in front of the
aldermans house.
Elizabeth and Crandall Immediately |
signed some papers under the direction |
of notary, TO which Mrs. O'Hara and |
her daughter inscribed their names as
witnesses.
Carefully Councilman O'Hara |
thumbed the worn pages of a small |
book until his dancing black eyes TO- |
cussed their gaze upon a deeply-under-
stood paragraph. In a mumbllng but |
rich Irish brogue which rendered his
words entirely unintelligible, he began
to read.
stopping abruptly he cleared his
throat and looked squarely at the girl. |
Elizabeth Marion Thurston, do you
take this man to be your law"
A nervous "Ohl" escaped her, and
she quickly jerked her hand from Gran
dalls.
Betty" he breathed, his pleading
eyes eagerly staring into her flaming |
His arm moved slowly |
until his fingers again covered the |
withdrawn hand.
Ellzabeth's eyes wavered under his |
direct scrutiny. Looking downward |
she stared in amazement at large |
upon her third finger. The
Hon. John smiled in a reassuring man
ner.
The girl again looked at the man |
who held her hand. Searching his anx-
ious eyes to their innermost depths she