Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1919-06-04
Tanning Father
By MADGE WESTON
Copyright. 1915. Western Newspaper uaionJ


read, his habitual frown deepened.
Yes. the girl was like her mother.
he reflected bitterly, sensitiveness in
every line. Now, she was coming
home from school and he would be
forced 90 live over again that life so
long closed, OF grievous misunder-
standing.
Always he had been the one to
blame. Robert wayland acknowledged
that. The pity of 1t all was that youth
full fancled love had rushed two young
college companions into marriage.
Claudia's very dependence. that which
had later so CALLED him, had been to
the impetuous youth her irresistible
charm. And Roberts masterfulness,
which had later become sheer domino
ton, had at first seemed virtue In
Claudla's eyes.
Gazing absently across the lawn be-
fore his study window, Wayland re-
called those first mistaken years,
when his unreasonIng temper had ept
his young wife In a state OF fearful
apprehension. At last her tears had
ceased 10 move him, his brain was
overweary with struggle and ambI-
tious plans for the frall girls future
comfort, but she had not understood,
and the plans had only reached
achievement when she was no longer
there to share them.
Roberts greatest regret was the
little creature left In her place. He
had been glad to pass the infant
Claudia over into her aunts keeping,
and their mothers sister, he knew,
would instill no love for him into his
daughters heart.
So from Aunt Emmeline's, little
Claudia was sent to q boarding school,
and her generous, though Indifferent
father, seldom saw her face He had
made punctilious visits during her
early stay at Aunt Emmeline's, when
the child with her tutored fear Of him
showing In her trembling lips and fig
ure invited no friendship. And now,
Aunt Emmeline had gone TO live abroad
and Claudia was coming home.
And then, before Robert wayland
had time for more retrospection. the
study door opened and a girl breezily
entered the room.
81 didn't wait to be announced"
said the girl. 81 was In a hurry to
see you. Oh, did you just receive that
letter? II should have been delivered
yesterday"
Il was away yesterday" Robert
Wayland explained.
He was regarding In establishment
the glowing young face before him.
Il can see" continued the girl "that
you did not expect to find me grown
strong and confident. lam both. Also,
have, to degree. a temper which
may equal your own notorious one."
Her sudden dimpling smile took the
sting from her words. turning them
into a Joke. "on the other hand. I
am surprised at you," she frowned
In pretended severity. "No one had
prepared me for a young and hand
some father"
Robert Wayland was dismayed 10
find an embarrassing though pleasur-
able flush creeping to the roots of his
thick wavy hair.
why" she murmured "you--you
are quite taking the wind out of nv
sails. I came here with the intention
Of having 1t out with you, of coming
to stern understanding about future
rights and things. Instead"
Instead, Claudiai" prompted the
man, his voice sounding strange to his
own ears.
The girls eyes filed with sudden
tears.
I'm sorry for you. instead" she
murmured. "You have lacked much
you have been lonely"
Impulsively wayland's hands claspes
her two small ones.
No one-evsr-thought of-thst-
before" he said slowly. mo one
ever seemed to make allowance-thers
was only rebuke and blame. For a
woman Ike you" an unfamiliar
smile crept about the grim corners on
Robert Wayiand's mouth-"a man
might even overcome his notorious
temper. Claudio" he hesitated. aha
name doesn't seem to fit someway"
he said.
1T doesn't fit" che burst out. "be-
cause 1t is not my name. I allowed
you to drift into the mistake. hontna
that Claudia might not seem 30 for.
midabie afterward. I am a collage
chum Of your daughters, older than
she by several years. II you had been
confidential with Claudia, you would
have heard Of Nance Holden" The
Uri's eyes danced I've quite a rep
utation at school for daring-good
kind Of daring. you know; like to helm
people out of scrapea Claudias been
frightened TO death at the thought OF
coming home TO 1--we with you. Aun,
Emmeiine painted yos up as an ogre,
and the teachers eoiored aunt's bio.
ture. You must have been advisina
! Our tnarhare ~ sha ohAaA ssrha.u st