New Britain herald., 1919-05-21

afford this today, although, of course' I wouldn't be warranted in doing this sort of thing often. But upon the occasion of having the news con- firmed of the rescue of some or the securities I had thought lost. ought to be forgiven if l splurge little, especially if the dearest daugh- ter in the world is my guest of honor. Don't you agree with me /?
 Words of Praise.
 He was pathetic in his whimsicality. I felt lump in my throat as I an- swered him.
 "I agree that I have the dearest father in the world, and that he ought to be allowed to to anything that he wshes," I retorted Gayly. albeit with smartng eyelasheS.
 "Thank you" The words were low but full of meaning. T wonder if you can ever guess how proud 1 have been of you all these lean months, when you've so braNelJ put vour shoulder to the wheel to help out the family finances. But, thank goodness, the necessity for that IS over and done with. I am not a rich man, dearest, not even as well Situ- ated as I was before, but at least l
  have to do anything to earn even your own pin money after this. or course. I honor your decision to keep on with your teaching because you had given your word to do so, but when vour contract is ended there will be no necessity for your renewing it.. ; An Amazing Incident. *It is the last thing I should think of doing" I returned fervently, with a swift vision of the ugly precipice near which I was constantly working. He looked at me quickly, shrewdly. sSomething troubles you about that position" he said. Don't you think you would better tell mo about it?''
 "Theres nothing worth tel'in:s,' l returned carelessly, mentally begging pardon for the falsehood. "So,ne ot my associates aren't as pleasant as they might be, but I probably am as much at fault as they"
 CT can imagine that touch mc~nOt attitude of yours might antagonlze some women," my father put it slyly. then laughed like a boy at my re- sentful embarrassed flush. "BUt it's one of the things I love in you,' he went on earnestly. Its so l1k9 your-'
 He broke off abruptly, white to the lips. I knew that my mothers name had been almost upon his lips, the name which he never mentioned. Long ago I had deduced that his reason was the painful self-eXcoria- ting memories which the thought of the wife he had deserted brought to him.
 Let me see that pretty bag you have with you" he said in another moment, in a patent effort to change the conversation.
 Wonderingly I passed my brocaded opera bag across the table to him.
 "I don't want you ever to thank me for these,' he said. They're just remembrance of this red letter day.
 Unobtrusively he slipped a small white parcel and an envelope into the bag, closed it and passed it back across the table. Bewildered, realiz- ing that he must have chosen to make the day memorable for me by the gift of both some jewel and a check. I mechanically took the bag. AS 1 did so l heard a low, Sneering laugh from the table just behind me.
 My father heard it also, raised his head quickly, and stared angrily across my shoulder. Then, to my horror, his face turned the color of ashes, and he put out his hand as if to shut out the sight of something he had seen.