The Little River news., 1920-08-14
THE STOLEN HOUR
By RALPH HAMILTON

bed early, was lIie Inllu way III WLich Mrs. Dodson put it when Nellie began to have company.
 .1 won't have these young fellows burning my lights in these hard times and disturbing my rest after reasona- ble hours :" was the gruff ultimatum of MT. Dodson.
 "Now. don't be bear." soothed Nell lie, restoring the good nature of her father with a kiss and hug. As to the young fellows, why, papa, there's only one lately, and he comes only twice week
 This was true, and Nellie looked triHe fustered as she thus called at- tention to the fact. Vance Drury had got to be pretty steady company, and Nellie's preference for abam was so clearly shown that would-be suitors ac- cepted the situation and it was pret- ty generally considered that Nellie and Vance would make match of it.
 A courteous, well-considered young man was Vance Drury, and except for the head of the household who stood  itors, the family all liked him im- mensely. Not only the lovers, but Mrs. Dodson and Nellie's two younger sis ters were always invited to become an audience when Nellie and Vance played their duets in the music room.
 But one particular evening John Dodson was all out of sorts. Busi-l ness had been bad at the office and hel felt tired and grumpy. He wanted toI get to bed early and make other peo- pie do the same. The usual coteriel were enjoying themselves in the mu- sic room when Mir. Dodson stole from the den unobServed and entered thel main living apartment whence theI family group had finally adjourned.
 The lights were turned down low and apparently no one was observlng him as he approached the clock onI the meatel shelf The house was run by this truSty old timepiece and Vance pretty systematically followed it's indications as to departure. MT. Dodson noiselesSly opened the glass face of the clock. The hands stood at half past eight He deliberately turned them ahead an even hour, glid- ed back to the den and awaited the consummation of his unlovely scheme for sacrificing the contentment Of others to his own selfish ends.
 At o'clock correct time the music room group returned to the main apartment It was Mrs. Dodson who chanced first to glance at the clock and in her pleasing polite way ob- served:
 "Why, how late it is, declare! you two are so engrossing in your delight ful music that time flies faster than we realize" and consistent Vance, while his face bore queer expression, arose to go and within 15 minutes John Dodson, wickedly grinning to himself. was ensconced in his comfort able bed.
 Alas! for the retribution of the fol- lowing morning. The profoundly slum- bering Mir. Dodson has aroused by the direful intelligence that it was half past seven, and that if he expect ed to catch his regular s o'clock sub urban train he must make short shrift of dressing and breakfast He had a wretched 20 minutes of haste and hot i temper, nettled to comprehend that he was hoist by his own petard for he had neglected to set the clock rigat after the departure of Vance Breathless, his scarf united, his shoe | laces dragging he reached the depot | just in time to catch-the : o'clock train! Mentally he scored himself for 1 forgetting that the clock had not been restored to normal, taking 1t for grant, | ed that the we'll trained servant had | gone by her own timepiece in her | dsual morning activities.
 He pumped down into a seat and chen, looking about him, observed un- familiar faces. "Why! this is not my regular train" he began, turning to the other occupant of the seat. He flushed, embarrassed, as he recognized Vance Drury
 "No," replied the young man, this is the o'clock. An hour earlier than you thought, Mir. Dodson? Perhaps your clock was wrong"
 "YeS, it was'-and then the speak CT paused guiltily.
 q noticed you set it ahead" said Vance very calmly, and smiled. John Dodson tdgeted.
 ''Ysu did?"
 'Yes," nodded Vance equably.
 And said nothing about it?'
 "Oh, was too polite for that! Be- sides, the gentle hint had its effect. The system of your household has my respect Mr. Dodson. And do you know" continued Vance brightly, "tt was very fortunate for you that you sent me home an hour earlier than usual"
 ''ANhy, how so?" inqi tired the nlysti- fled father of Nellie.
 "A friend of my father was at our home, just leaving. He comes from the east to settle down here, has some large funds to invest and asked me to send him to a good broker. ! named you, of course"
 II "Whv thanks" Stammarad Mr. DOd-