The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1917-11-24
EVENING STORY
Pleasing Dad.

EtGuSlnes OeANA.
(By Olive Brown
The elder Selridge did not look up
as his son entered the office, but he
was safe in identifying him as such
for the hands on the floor CLOCK IN
the corner pointed to $780,
Morning" he growled, without
moving. 3
GOOD morning, dad" came the
hearty. eood-fellow response.
''Out late again"
mot so very. Just two"
Eyes, I'll bet there were just two.
say, lookee here, Bert, that reminds
me. Gilohrist says you're rushing
that girl like dynamite"
''what girl?''
THAT girl, 1 said. How many girls
have you and I been talking about in
eur heart-te-heart condolences?
The irony was not lost on Albert
Belridge. who proceeded to hang up
| his hat and pun a chair opposite his
fathers. facing him squarely.
Now see here, dad" he began
Now see here, son. mean just
what 1 said the other day. l want it
stopped. Dear knows who she is, or
stop. dad. Don't say it" Then
he laughed. MY. you're particular
/
was just out of boarding school"
| mo impudence now, mister You
| bet I'm particular about your COM
pany." Then changing his tone sud
denly he leaned forward confidentially
and laid a hand on his sons Knee.
'Eay, Bud, there's no use acting the
heavy father with you. don't mean
it. But you'll just have to help me
out. You knew what 1 told you
what 1 promised your mother. She
was always strong on your marrying
well--somebody in your set, as she
would have put it. Even when you
were in little white dresses she plan
ned for it and gave parties for you
and asked only the little girls who
were eligible as prospective brides.
Honestly, now, Bud, We can't go back
on her, can we?'
mo, dad But who ever said any
thing about my marrying this young
lady?"
wen. when you're with girl every
second she's out of her office and
you're out OF yours. it looks like bust
ness. Gilchrist says you had her
"Oh, darn Gilchrist''
Mr.. Selridge had nothing to say to
this. Well, anyway. son, don't mar
ry her, will you?'
Bert considered this soberly. mo.
dad, 1 will not marry her." he prom
Used.
That's the boyl That's the talki
Now l feel better and believe my
breakfast is going to digest, after all. y
Then turning to his desk, SAY Albert,
this order of Ormistons worries me.
Some way we just can't seem to land
it. / know they've got to have those
Orders and stay plates and that we've
put in low a bid as anyone. 1t
means real money to us, Bud. Not only
that, but it would be a splendid ad.
believe the government people have
their eye on that work and will fol-
low up with big orders of their own.
We've just got to land st, that's ALL
We'll, what is it, dad?"
Suppose you try?''
Albert got up as tho shot out of
a spring gun. you bet / will And
then his father remembered that Gill
{ christ had also said the very pretty
, girl young Selridge was rushing so
dynan1ica1Iy was in Ormistoh's office.
Listen, Bert. I've changed my
: mind. / need you here today. Sup
pose you go to ormiston's house to-
! night. know 1t isn't done-but alls
fair in love and war. and this is war
J And by the way, they say that little
Ormtston girls beauty. By JoVei
That's the ideal Why don't you
marry her, Bert?
Albert hung up his hat again and
, looked out of the window. Il might
{ think it over. dad. But maybe you
don't know that old Mr.. Ormiston
: hates me like 'pizen.'"
Fact Billy Ormiston and I had a
fight at college about-abeut some
thing, and I knocked him out"
do you mean to say that old buzz
card wouldn't be just tickled to death
to have you for son-in-law? We'll,
you come a1ong-get your hat, and ri
tell the whole family a few things.
And I'll tell them they can go to the
devil with their contracts
| But, dad
| Come along"
And Bert went. What was there
to do?
A few minutes later they were ush-
cred into the presence of the buz.
gard" a sherp-eyed. eagle nosed gem
tleman, who asked them to be seated
in words more civil than his tone.
Mr.. selridge went straight to the
point. Mr.. Ornist6n. 1 came to dis
cover If any personal feeling has in
fluenced your decision on the bid we
made you. If So we will consider ali
future cooperation at an end, and /
Will inform my Representatives ac-
cordingly."
81 never let personal affairs influ-
: ence business" returned Mr.. Ormis-
. ton, but since you have suggested il.
It will be quite satisfactory to this
firm to cease all future transactions
with yours
They were off. Apopletic with
rage, Mr.. Selridge made a heated re-
tort. to which Mr.. Ormiston REPLIED
by jumping to his feet and pounding
his fist on his desk and calling Mr..
Selridge everything he could think of.
Mr.. Selridge was about to renlv
with his fist, but not on Mr.. Orrnis-
tons desk, when there was a screa m
1nd both gentlemen turned to find the
very pretty secretary seeking protec-
ton on Albert's manly bosom, while
he was doing his best to comfort her.
Eleanor" stamped Mr. Orrniston.
come here this minute"
Albert" roared Mr.. Selridke, Pm
surprised. You promised--'
81 said I wouldn't marry her h.
cause have married her dad. she's
my Wife calmly declared Aibers