The Big Sandy news. [volume] (Louisa, Ky.) 1885-1929, 1920-10-22
"All in
the Family"
By GEORGE E. COBB

/
"oh, Dora letter from father, and
he is coming AT last!
In exuberant spirits Winnie Bond
waved the mlssive In question that
had Just arrived kissed II gaily and
handed It to her married sister Mrs.
Merton. The latter perused 1t and
placed II on the table. Then both sis
tiers broke into smiles as little VIII
fred Merton, three years old, picked
up the envelope, grayely pretended
to read 1t, kissed II as her auntie had
done and thrust II into the pocket Of
her apron with a sense Of importance
quite womanly.
The ladies' discussed the anticipated
return Of John Bond in detail. He
had been absent for half year, striy-
Ing to get rid of some land In Idaho
left him by a sister. There had been
an alfalfa crop to take care of and
now, provided a cloud on the title
could be cleared away, an irrigation
company was ready to pay a substan-
tial sum for the tract.
& when. lis father coming, J.. Won
derp" asked Dora.
"He doesn't know exactly himself,
but sometime before the first, think.
What a 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 glimpse OF her
they observed that she would take the
envelope from her pocket and pretend
to read 1t, talking to herself about
"GrandpaN 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 ard bring her into
the house. but Wllfred had finished
her nap and had strolled on 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 nelEhbors had seen her.
Nearly half mile from the house a
policeman Informed mother and aunt
that little tot answering to the de-
scription Of Wilfyed had asked him
the way to the postoffice. That was
an hour ago and the now alarmed
women hurried downtown. US
Various clews were gained and fol.
lowed down. but fruitlessly. II was
dusk when the tired Winnie and her
sister neared their home.
"Whyr cried Wpnie joyfuliy, as
they neared the gate, .there is VIII
fred noww 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 transport OF
delight. Her companion arose to his
feet and bowed courteously.
II found the little one nearly a
mile from here" he said. "lost and
crying. She could not tell where she
lived, but happily showed me an en-.
velope giving this address. I brought
her here and we have been waiting
for some one to come and claim her
"How can We ever thank your
cried Winnie. and In the exuberance
Of her gratitude she took his hand
In a friendly clasp. and then flushed
at the temerity Of the impulse and
looked more beautiful than ever in
the eyes Of very fmpressible young
man.
Wilfred chung to him clear to the
gate and then wept because he had
promised to tell her another story
She was 80 insistent and Mrs. Merton
felt so kindly toward Mr.. Wilton Bart
ley, as he introduced himself, that she
asked him to stay to tea. His visit
ran well into the evening and he re
celved genial invitation to come
again.
Within q month Wilton BARLEY wa
enraptured with the young lady who
had flashed upon his life, a bright mag
netic meteor. he had travelled great
deal. and one evening In reciting an
adventure near certain town ir
Idaho, Winnie remarked.
"That is where my father 10 at~pres
emit" and told something Of his mis-
sion there. BARLEY looked strangely
interested and the next day told hi,
new friends that he was going away
from the city for a week or so, ant
when he babe Winnie good night a,
the door as clearly as he could without
exactly telling her that he loved her
he indicated that upon his return he
would have something Of special inter
est to both Of them to impart.
Three days later BARLEY introduced
himself to John Bond in an Idaho
town and explained how, through hii
daughter, he had learned Of his iden
tity and whereabouts.
"The litigation YOU mediate Il