Chicago eagle. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1889-19??, 1917-10-06
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: BEING A DEAR DAD -
BY HELEN HEDLEY.


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who's goin to the fairW Emmett
Lane demanded, bursting in upon the
Ashtons, his three pretty cousins. A
chorus of Nobody" answered him
crescendo, and ending in sort of
groan.
why on earth" Emmett began.
Lois, the eldest Ashton, took the word
from his lips, saying: Just what we
want to know--and can't find out. 1t
Is this way--dad says we shan't, and
there's an end of 1t. Not the least
little smidge of n reason why"
Upon my word" Emmett ejaculat-
ed-then wheeling upon En-, the
youngest of the trio, withal the wicked
est flirt; Confess, miss. What have
you been doing to make perfectly
good father act up this way?"
Nothing at all. I've had no chance
whatever En- poutcd. but with the
ghost of n dimple playing about her
lips. Been over at Grandpa Beams
which Is next thing to solitary con-
finement. So lonesome I'd almost
Even me! Ingratitudc, thy name Is
En- Ashton Emmett cried, laying a
hand distractcdly to his forehead. All
were luughing-even Betty. the staid
middle sister. Lois gasped between
giggles: "But | really believe you're
on the right trail, Emmett-dad looks
Mt En- So spcculutivcly--as though
saying: What nextT"
Elm gggled 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 is usual in case
of stern father and distractingly
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 will surely get
his come-uppance. | see him now with
three old maids to torment his extreme
age" Emmett commented loftily. Bet
ty amazed all by Il vigorous head
shake and said: make 1t two, please {;
I'm going to marry--if I have to pro-
pose myself, get the license and pay
the parson."
BETSY, didn't know you could be
so desperate" Emmett cried, trying to
pinch her cheek. But cheer up-if
the worst comes, I'll look you up n
susceptible widower--one so new in
grief he don't know enough to run
away"
"No need. / can always take you
at a pinch" Betty retorted.
EN-. how about your Emmett de-
manded. She giggled again. Nothing
doing" she said saucily. "Em, Elm
nett we'd get ourselves so mixed up
we couldn't tell who to scOld or swear
ut, or aggravate. And really, we are as
much alike as our names"
"No such thing. You Ratter 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, n red car halted at the pOr-
tico steps, the hall doc: yielded to an
inpatient hand which had found
knocking vain and then all Barton Clay
was 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 glorificd his face. With soft
laugh, half blissful. half defiant, he
in his arms. Bear witness, I'm no
kidnaper, take my own Srom her IA
TIERS house in the face of daylight and
under the eyes of hcr--famlly," he said
proudly--thcn To En-: You got my
note? Are you ready to go withou,
waiting for the falr?'
I'm ready, bu, | don't know any
thing about any note" En- answered
openly, nesting 20 him Emmett laid
hand upon Bar.on's arm, saying per
suasively: Listen, sou, don't do this
very foolish thing. You mustn't, In
fact. won't LET you. That's my little
sister you're smuggling up there--no
body's ever going to have the right Il
say she left her fathers house with q
man not her welded husband. Sou't
hate that, same as | would, once yOt
let yourself think In cold blood. Sta!
and face the music-Otherwlse hel
father. Wen stand by you, all of us
let him know you mean fair and meat
also to play fair"
Barton grinned-one charm Of hi
was quick transition. 81 tell you. !
has been refreshing-ths liberal al
lowance Of cold shoulder" he said
"But here comes the grand mogul now
Who lives up to fine wordsf"
"All of U.s." Lois said, running t
meet her father, who entered amid |
chorus please" and "Do be II dea
dad" ana such like entreaties. J
glance explained things TO him, bu
Emmett had 10 put the case cOnvinC
ingly in the oUd. AS public-spiriteC
citizen, YOU owe II to the country L
put dangerous citizen under bond
to keep the peace" he said. "BartoI
will make bond with the county cler
giving me for surety"
Her father drew n hard, catchin
breath, his eyes the while ranging hi
beyy of beauties. En- faced him, rOs
and dewy-eycd her baby self glorifict
Suddenly the father grinned cheerful
and slapped his would-be son-in-law o
the back, saying: understand, youn