The Lee County journal. (Leesburg, Ga.) 1904-19??, 1918-01-18
HIS DAD
BY AGNES C. RRoeAN.
lCopyright. Isl7, Western NeMspaner nnion. !,

what is IT, deary' she asked and
he answered her., pacing about rest
lessly.
"It's Dad he said. II told him to-
night that we were to be married, and
he put up the usual fuss. I'm tired
of it, Elsie; surely his selfishness has
barred our happiness too long. One
must have consideration fox i'll health
and overweight nerves, but when
this is coupled with stubborn unreal
condolences I've got to take things into
my own hands. He insisted that |
choose between you two-and I've
chosen-thats all. The affair ended
in Dads threat to enter sanitarium,
to which retreat he says my cruelty
has driven him. He is decided upon
the point that no daughter-in-law-'no
fault-fnding, debating daughter-in-
law l believe were his words-shall
ever. enter his home. He is equally de-
termined not to be living in suffer-
ance' as he expressed it, ,:in his sons
home So there lies the parting Of
the ways"
Jack dropped into a chair. ''It's a
problem, Elsie he said YEARLY. "No
hired nurse or attendant has been able
to put up with Dad for more than two
days; and the chronic invalidism, is
in my mind, more or less imagination,
and temper"
The girl sat gazing silently at her
folded hands, and the flashing ring of
her betrothaE Jackie" she said at
length, perhaps that sanitarium idea
of your fathers is a good one after
all-they do effect wonderful cures.
There is pleasant 'healthorium'
upon the hill. Why not agree to it for
month or so of trial? We could
postpone our marriage for month,
dear" ~
J. So it happened that John Curate,
ST., was installed in large CHEEKY
room in the notwithstanding home at the
top of the hill. And here, where fret
full orders were of common occurrence,
frightened attendants did not always
rush to do his bidding. Neither did
the attendants leave in huff, but
smilingly unmoved, went about their
duties. 1t was when the pert-faced
nurse with the firm chin had dared
bring his egg-nog ten minutes late
that Citrate, ST., sent for the physician
in charge.
Disgusting negligence" he fumed
y@if you have in the building a nurse
who is not impudence itself, send her
to me-" ~"
DR.. Mary Wilson considered. 'Miss
Earle is at least punctual, she said
thoughtfully, and presently Miss Earle
reported for duty. Her appearance
was undoubtedly prepossessing, and
her voice promisingiy low and sub
missive. Her constant bright, good
nature would have infected} any one
but this adamant patient, and finally
it won from even him grudging
smile.
pretty happy, aren't your" he asked
7OhC NAS'" az
always happy she answered
promptly. slave tobe, the other sort
Of thing doesn't pay" She cast back
a laughing glance at him. Happiness
like patience, ,ean be acquired" she
said. -
"I--wonder,'' the old man unused.
The nurse tapped her soft hair.
Living example" she replied,
The egg-nogs were always on time
now, also, they were just right. Miss
Earle had. a disquietfhg and battling
way of slipping quietly out of his room
during tyrannical outburst, inno-
Gently returning later, low song
Upon her lips, sympathetic concern in
her violent eyes, The miracle had
happened. John Curate, the master-
full had found his. superior, and his
admiration was unbounded Mixed
with the admiration. was strange and
long-lost affection, years ago he had
known the loss of a!little daughter,
something of the old protective ten
derness for the child, evidenced itself
now, for the faithful young nurse.
"You are alone in the world?" he
asked.
"Alpne, since my own dear father
died, :" she answered.
A rosy flush crept to the roots of her
hair. "But now l am hoping for a
home of my own. Some one, oh! so
good and true, to care for me. Some
one to make happy. Would you like
me to tell you all about itT
'PIease," said the patient, he was
feeling Anaccountably old again, old,
deserted, and, alone. So the girl came
and sat down by his chair and the
freight in the big CHEEKY room shone
back upon their faces. When she had
finished John Citrate, ST., reached out
a fumbIing band and closed 1t over
hers. =.
eff you will forgive a selfish old
man." he said, "and if L may call you
daughter, Will try to learn that
achievement. of happiness you spoke
of-and-patience."
In the doorway doomed tall figure.
Elsie" cried a mans voice unbeliey-
"and-Dadp
The girl jumped up with tremulous
laugh. II had to win him over, Jackie "