The Clio messenger., 1919-01-02
THE ALDERMAN's 0. K.
BY JOSEPH 7. KEscEL,

fTeuerlck CrdntiaiIS y Irien0S spoke OF
him as "the writer" to which he In
variabIy chuckled. That's what puts
grub under my belt"
one summer day his clear brown
eyes shifted their gaze from a litter OF
papers on the desk before him TO an
open window. through which a gentle
breeze huttered.
He threw both hands upward impa-
tiently and reached for the telephone.
"rhanks very much. Alice" he con-
cluded a moment later. I'll be down
shortly to take out the kiddie."
Within half-hour he stepped into
one of New York's railroad stations.
BY the hand ne led q sturdy boy Of
seven. whose radiant face beamed In
anticipation OF glorious outing.
The gateman's curt words immedi-
ately dampened the holiday spirit
BARS up against youngsters leav-
ing town without Board Of Health GER
tihcate. It's this infantile paralysis
scare" he added.
Crandall suddenly stopped short.
His surprised eyes lighted upon tall.
graceful figure standing but few feet
distant. A little girl, about Billy's age,
affectionately clutched her hand.
"Bettyl" he cried, bounding to her
side.
"Fred!" Their hands clasped In a
warm pressure.
"The last person In the world ex.
pected to meet here" he cried heart.
lily. "Sit down for q moment and tell
me about yourself and the old folks
back at Creston."
Elizabeth Thurston's willing and
vivid recital. brought back to his mem.
ory complete picture. which flashed
through his mind like 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
rl,e little village. Even as II II were
Yesterday did he remember his last
meeting with Betty and her words, II
Ihust obey father"
Crandall let his gaze shift from Eliz-
ubeth Thurston's animated counte-
nnnce to the little girl nesting In her
lmp.
Your husband" he ventured. In an
effort to break the suspense. where
Is"
rhe girl blushed In embarrassment
md gasped: Husband? Why. I'm
MOI married"
"rhe child. H." He left his SEN
tence unfinished.
1.-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 I cannot 60 home
without a certificate" she returned.
81 didn't know 1t 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 a
few minutes later. He was soon In
earnest conversation with someone
whom he familiarly addressed as
"Jack."
"You can arrange it1 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. Mr.. O'Hara will
have the certificates at his home by
noon.
"Ohi, I'm so glad. You've no idea
how I dread that disagreeable red
tape" she smillngly replied.
AS they settled into the tonneau OF
the automobile Frederick Crandalrs
right hand closed fondly over her small
left one. toying cautiously with the
LnlTu HnSeT.
Right on time," booped voice
from the tOpmost step, as the automo-
bile came to a stop In front of the
alderman's house.
Elizabeth and Crandall Immediately
signed some papers under the direction
Of a notary. to which Mrs. O'Hara and
her daughter inscribed their names as
witnesses.
Carefully Councilman O'Hara
thumbed the worn pages Of a small
book until his dancing black eyes TO-
cussed their gaze upon a deeply-under-
stood paragraph. In a mumbling but
rich Irish brogue. which rendered his
words entirely unintelligible, 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"
A nervous "Ohw escaped her. and
the quickly jerked her hand from Gran