Gilpin observer., 1920-08-12
GAIL in
the Family"
By GEORGE E. COBB

ue Is COiuiuS at iuot
In exuberant spirits Winnie Bond
waved the missive In question that
had Just arrived, kissed 1t gaily and
handed it to her married sister, Mrs.
Merton. The latter >perused 1t and
placed it on the table. Then both Sis
tiers broke into smiles as little Will
fred Merton, three years old, picked
up the envelope, gravely pretended
to read 1t, kissed 1t as her auntie had
done and thrust it into the pocket of
her apron with sense of Importance
quite womanly.
The ladies' discussed the anticipated
return of John Bond in detail. He
had been absent for half a year, striv-
ing to get rid of some land in Idaho
left him by sister. There had been
an alfalfa crop to take care of and
now, provided cloud on the title
could be cleared away, an irrigation
company was ready to pay a substan-
tial sum for the tract.
''When is father coming, won
der?' asked Dora.
"He doesn't know exactly himself,
but sometime before the first, think.
What relief it will be for him to
get money enough to clear up the
debts on the property here, and enjoy
life without continually worrying
about the needs of tomorrow
Little Wilfred wandered Off into the
garden by herself, and whenever
mother and aunt got a glimpse of her
~, -, ~ 4 s,I,z ~
envelope from her pocket and pretend
to read it, talking to herself about
"Grandpa coming home" and post
office" and property" and business"
Late in the afternoon Winnie found
Wilfred asleep on garden bench,
faithfully clasping the envelope in her
hand. Just at dusk she went out to
wake up the child and bring her into
the house, but Wilfred had finished
her nap and had strolled off some
where. Mother and aunt searched for
her but could not discover any trace.
Then somewhat anxiously they started
out to look for her outside the home
precincts.
None of the neighbors had seen her.
policeman informed mother and aunt
that little tot answering to the de-
scription of Wilfred had asked him
the way to the postoffice. That was
an hour ago and the now alarmed
women hurried downtown.
Various clews were gained and fol-
lowed down, but fruitlessly. 1t was
dusk when the tired Winnie and her
sister neared their home.
"Why?' cried Winnie joyfully, as
they neared the gate, there Is VIII
fred now!' and both ran toward the
spot in the garden whence the merry
tones of the little one emanated
There in the dim twilight she sat on
the self same bench where she had
slept. A young man Winnie had never
seen before was by her side. his hand
held her own and they seemed the
closest of friends.
"Oh! please tell me just one more
story!" Wilfred was pleading when
her mother rushed toward her, clasp
ing her in her arms in a transport Of
delight Her companion arose to his
feet and bowed courteously.
81 found the little one nearly n
mile from here" he said, '1ost and
crying. She could not tell where she
lived. but happily showed me an en-
velope giving this address. | brought
her here and we have. heen waiting
for some one to come and claim her"
How can we ever thank you?''
cried Winnie. and In the exuberance
of her gratitude she took his hand
in friendly clasp. and then flushed
nj the temerity Of the impulse and
looked more beautiful than ever in
the eyes of very impressible young
mnn
Wllfrcd clung 10 him clear to the
gate and then wept because he had
promised Ia tell her another story.
She was so insistent and Mrs. Merton
felt so kindly toward Mr.. Wilton Bart
ley, as he introduced himself. that she
asked him 10 stay 10 tea. HIS visit
ran wen into the evening and he rc.
ccived II genial invitation to come
again
Within n month Wilton BARLEY wa,
enrantured with the Young lady who
had flashed upon his life. a hright mag
netic meteor. He had travelled great
deal. and one evening In recltlng IN
adventure near certain town In
Idaho. Winnie remarked:
''rhat is where my father is nt pres
ent." and told something of his mis-
sion there. BARLEY looked strangel,
Interested and the next day told hi,
new friends that he was going ava,
from the city for n week or so. ant
when he bade Winnie good night n
the door as clearly as he could wlthou
exactly telling her thnt he loved her
he indicated that upon his return h,
would have something OF special inter
est to both of them to impart.
Three days later BARLEY introduce,