Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1919-01-06
The Daily
Short Story
TANNING FATHER.
By Madge Weston.

ened.
Yes, the girl was like her moth
er, he reflected bitterly, sensitive
ness in every line. Now. she was
coming home from school and he
would be forced to live over again
that life SO long closed. of griev-
Gus misunderstanding.
Always he had been the one to
| blame. Robert Wayland acknow-
lodged that. The pity Of it all was
that youthful fancied love had
rushed two young college compan-
ions into marriage. Claudia's very
dependence, that which had later
so CALLED him, had been to the i'm
petuous youth her Irresistible
charm. And Roberts masterful-
ness, which had later become sheer
domination, had at first seemed vir-
tue in Claudia's eyes.
Gazing absently across the lawn
before his study window, Wayland
recalled those first mistaken years,
when his unreasoning temper had
kept his young wife in a state of
fearful apprehension. At last her
tears had ceased to move him, his
brain was overweary with struggle
and ambitious plans for the fraiI
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 me infant
Claudia over into her aunt's keel
ing, 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 a boarding
school, and her generous, though
Indifferent father, seldom saw her
face. He had made punctilious Wis
its during her early stag at Aunt
Emmeline's, when the child with
her tutored fear of him showing il
her trembling lips and figure in
vited 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 retrGspection,
the study door opened and girl
breezily entered the room.
Il didn't wait to be announced
said the girl. Il was in a hurry
ceive that letter? 1t should have
been delivered yesterday"
81 was away yesterday" Robert
Wayland explained.
He was regarding in astonish-
ment the glowing young face be-
fore him.
Il can see," continued the girl,
that you did not expect 10 find me
grown strong and confident. l am
both. Also, l have, to a degree,
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, l am surprised at you" she
frowned in pretended severity INC
one had prepared me for a young
and handsome father"
Robert Wayland was dismayed |
to find an embarrassing though |
flush creeping to the |
roots of his thick wayy hair.
Why" she murmured, you
you are quite taking the wind out |
OF my sails. l came here with the |
intention of having it out with you,
Of coming to a stern understand |
ing about future rights and things.
Instead"
Instead. Claudia?" prompted
the man, his voice sounding
strange to his own ears.
The girls eyes filled with sudden
tears.
I'm sorry for you, instead" she
nurmured. You have lacked
much; you have been lonely"
Impulsively Wayland's hands
clasped her two small ones.
No one-ever-thought of-that
before" he said slowly. mo one
ever seemed to make allowance
here was only rebuke and blame
For a woman like you" an unfa-
niliar smile crept about the grim
corners OF Robert Wayland's
nouth-"a man might even over
'ome his notorious temper. Claudia
-" he hesitated, "the name doesn't
'eem to fit, someway," he said.
1T doesn't fit" she burst out,
because it is not my name. l all
owed you to drift into the mis-
axe, hoping that Claudia might not
eem so formidable afterward. IL
IN a college chum of your daugh-
er's. older than she by several
ears. If you had been confidential!
With Claudia, you would have
Ieard of Nance Holden" The girls
yes danced. I've quite a reputa-
ion at school for daring-gooi
ind OF daring. you know; like to
elp people out of scrapes. Clau-
las been frightened to death at
he thought of coming home to live
With you. Aunt Emmeline painted
GU up as an ogre, and the teachers
olored aunt's picture. You must
ave been advising our teachers
he added They will forgive no
ictation- So / agreed to come
ONE with Claudia.
My plan," said Nance-she
miled her infectious smile, was !
tame you Claudia's waiting in
he hall. By this time, 1 think,
he will be hiding under the settle
hall we relieve her mind? And,
lease-may I stay here with her
with you-for "a little wnile?"
Robert Wayland's hands folded {
he girls in mighty clasp.
Il want you to stay" he said. A {
mile transformed his somber I
ace 81 need you to help me find I
way, you see, to those things-I
ave lacked"