Highland recorder. (Monterey, Highland County, Va.) 1877-1972, 1917-03-16
the AlDERMAN'S 0. X,
By JOSEPH T. KEScEL.

eyes shifted their gaze from litter Ut
papers on the desk before him 10 an
open window. through which gentle
breeze huttered.
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 glorious outing.
The gatemap's curt words immedi-
ately dampened the holiday spirit
BARS up against youngsters leaV-
ing town without Board of Health GER
titicate. It's this infantile paralysis
scare" he added.
Crandall suddenly stopped short.
His surprised eyes lighted upon a tall,
graceful figure standing but few feet
distant. a little girl, about Billy's age,
afrectionately clutched her hand.
Betty" he cried, bounding to her
side.
"Fred!" Their hands clasped In a
warm pressure.
1.-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 a 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
we'll 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 1t were
yesterday did he remember his last
meeting With Betty and her words, u
must obey father"
Crandal let his gaze shift from Eiiz-
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"
1.-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-oh!" 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. "I've an alder
man friend" he broke out, "who should
help me get those certificates"
Crandalrs stride was unusually brisk
as he stepped into telephone booth
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. MIR. OHara VIII
have the certificates at his home by
noon.
"Oh!, I'm so glad. You've no idea
how | dread that disagreeable red
tape" she srnilingly replied.
AS they settled into the tonneau OF
the automobile Frederick CrandalIs
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 autolno-
bile came to a stop In front OF the
alderman's house.
Elizabeth and Crandall Immediately
stoned some papers under the direction
of notary, to which Mrs. O'Hara ana
her daughter inscribed their names as
witnesses.
Carefully Councilman O'Hara
thumbed the worn pages of small
book until his dancing black eyes TO
cussed their gaze upon deeply-under-
stood paragraph. In mumbllng Dut
rich Irish brogue, which rendered MS
words entirely unintelligihle, 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"
nervous "Oh!" escaped her. and
she quickly jerked her hand from Gran
halls.
BETTY" he breathed. his pleading
eyes eagerly staring into her naming
countenance. His arm moved slowly
until his fingers again covered the
withdrawn hand.
Elizabeth's eyes wavered under his
direct scrutiny. Looking downward
she stared in amazement at large
solitaire upon her third finger. The
Hon. John smiled in a reassuring man.
ner.
The girl again looked at the man
ho Aollbar houd Searching his anx-