The Meeker herald. [volume] (Meeker, Colo.) 1885-current, 1918-02-16
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: BEING A DEAR DAD s
sy HELEN HEoLgv.
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IL Dy HgLGM HEpL4Y. -
u nannnnnnnAAV
"who's goln to the fairr' Emmett
Lane demanded, bursting In upon the
Ashtons, his three pretty cousins 4
chorus Of "Nobodyi" answered him
and ending In Q sort q
groan.
"Why On earth" Emmett began.
Lois, the eldest Ashton, took TIE wort
from his lips. saying: "Just what We
want to know-and can't md out. II
10 this way-dad says We shan't and
there's an end Of It Not the least
little smidgs Of Q reason why"
"Upon my wordi" Emmett ejaculat-
sd-then wheeling upon nm, the
youngest Of the THO. withal Tie wicked
ct nirt: Confess, miss. What have
you besn doing to make Q perfectly
good father act up this wsyr'
Nothing At all. I've had NO chance
whatever" Em pouted, but with the
ghost Of . dimpls playing about hsf
lips. Been over at Grandpa Beans
which IL next thing to solitary con
anemsnt. 30 lonesome I'd almost
have had heart failure even over you."
Even mel Ingratitude, thy name 70
EN- Ashtoni" Emmett cried. laying Q
hand distractsdly to his forehead. An
were laughing-even Betty, the staid
middle sister. Lois capped between
gigsies: sBut I really believe you're
on the right trail. Emmett"
EN- dgsied harder than anybody.
She had to-being perfectly aware Of
why dad. usually the most tractabls
Of parents, was indeed acting. up. The
why was . man-as u usual in case
of 4 stern father and . distractinsiy
pretty drl. Squire Ashton disap-
proved Of Barton Clay wholly-from
the crown Of his handsome head to the
soles Of his aristocradc feet. Add that
the fair was. In eject. Barton Clay
he was president Of the association,
chief exhibitor and giver Of more than
half the prises-and the mystery ceas-
e. to be mysterious..
NY respected uncle win surely get
his come-uppance. ses him now with
three old maids 10 torment his extreme
age" Emmett commented loftily. Bet.
u amazed all BY q vigorous head
shake and said: "Naks It two, please;
Tn going to marTy@f / have to pro
pose myself. get the license and pay
the parsoo."
Betsy, I didn't know you could b.
% desperate" Emmett cried, trying 10
pinch her cheek. But cheer up-f
the worst comes, I'll look you up .
susceptible widowsr-ons % new In
grief he don't know enough 10 m
away"
"No need. ] can always take yos-
at . PINCH" Betty rstoetsd
"Em. how about youf" Emmett de-
manded. She sisgied again. "NotAing
doing" she said saucily. I'm. nm
NETT: we'd get ourselves % mixsd up
We couldn't tell who to seold Of swsaf
at, or aggravate. And really. We are a.
much alike - our namea."
"No such thing. You nattsf your.
self wildly" Emmett returned, sick
Ing out his chin. The battle Of Wits
% ragged that tho5s engaged had no
ears or eyes for anything outside.
Therefore. q red car halted at the Dor
uco steps, the hall door Yielded to an
impatient hand which had found
knocking vain and then all Barton Clay;
was among them. nodding to the 9TH
en-, but holding Ems hands a. though
he could not let them 60. and looking
down Into her eyes. What he read
there slorihed his face. With . SOFT
laugh, half blissful, half defiant, hA
bent and kissed her. then gathsred her
In his arms. Bear witness, I'm No
kidnaper. I take my own from her IA
Tiers house In the face Of daylight and
under the eyes Of her-family." h. said
proudly-then to EN-: "You got my
notef Are you ready to 90 without
waiting for the fairr'
Tim ready. brit I don't know any.
thing about any note" I'm answered
openly. nesting to him. Emmett laid
hand upon Bsrton's arm, saying psr-
suasively: Listen, 500, don't do this
very foolish thing. You mustn't, In
fact Iwoa't let you. That's my little
sister you're smuggling up there-no-
body's ever going to have the right to
say she left her fathers house With .
man not her welded husband. You'd
hate that. same a. I would, once you
let yourself think In cold blood. Stay,
and face the music-otherwise her
father. Well stand BY you. all Of U.s.
let him know you mean fair and mean
also to play fair"
Barton srinned-one charm Of his
was quick TRANSITION. II tell you, It
has been refreshing-this liberal al.
lowance Of cold shoulder" he said.
''But here comes the grand mosul nov.
Who lives up to nne wordsf
All Of us," Lois said, running to
meet her father. who entered amid q
chorus "Please," and DO be q dear
dad" and such like entreaties. A