The Owosso times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1897-1926, 1920-06-18

hand. why. It's Christine Bursess"
he exclaimed.
After q moment Of recalling mutual
acquaintances. II have come on q pc
culiar errand." confessed Christine
mo doubt you know about the trip
my father Is planning"
He nodded his head grGvely, not
thinking 1t necessary to add that every
person within radius of thirty miles
knew of Captain Eric's contemplated
voyage
| 81 know my father has not bought
the Mary Lee yet. And-oh, isn't there
anybody else you know that wants to
buy it?" she asked desperately.
why, yes" said the man thought
fully. "There is party who might
consider 1t. He has talked about buy
Ing 1t. but, like your father, imagine.
thinks the market Is not very active
and that there Is no great hurry"
/"Oh, II only you could sell 1t to him
first |" cried Christine. II hardly dare
suggest 1t, but for mothers sake-and
for his, too, I would be glad to do any
thing to prevent their plans"
II understand" said Barry Nichol-
son. alphabetically. "And I'll tell
you what I can do. I'll call up this
man and tell him there's another bid
der for the boat. That will hurry up
his decision. II he decides in favor,
you can tell your father 1t is sold.
How about my coming up tonight and
giving you the results" he asked
eagerly. Pretty, brown-eyed girls with
lifting voices did not happen in his
Office very often.
And Christine, after saying that she
would expect him, walked home, WON
dering why, all Of q sudden, saying
"yes" to pleasant but elderly principals
seemed so out of the question.
Next day Christine was able to seek
her father. you've heard about the
Mary Lee, dad?' she began tentatively.
NO." said her father, concealed be-
hind the local paper.
It's sold!" said Christine.
"Sod!" cried her father, laying
down his sheet and eyeing his guilty
daughter over the top of his specta-
cles, "sold?'
"Yes," nodded Christine. "Will-
will it make any difference about your
trip"
Her father wrinkled his brow. 81
suppose" he said slowly, II could look
around for another boat"
Christine's heart sank.
But-"No, no." her father was thun-
dering, pounding his fist on the table
IF I can't have the Mary Lee won't
go at all. She was the only boat in
these parts for such Il trip. But" he
lowered his voice, "your poor mother.
I'm sorry for her. 1t will break her
heart"
A week later Barry persuaded Chris
tine that, knowing each other as they
had for years, they were foolish to
waste any more time in becoming en-
gagged. And. oddly enough, Christine
agreed with him absolutely And as
prospective member of the family, she
confided to him secret she had had
locked in her heart.
don't think that l would ever have
dared block fathers plans if l hadn't
had feeling that he was aching for
an excuse to get out of it all. Things
that you plan when you're young and
energetic may lose their charm when
you get old Anyway, he would never
have given in himself. He's full of
stubborn pride, If he is perfectly
dear parent. But between us we gave
him just the proper shred of an ex-
cuse!"
And when they went to share their
happiness they found the old people
sitting contentedly on opposite sides Of
the red-cloth table-the captain plot
ting his annual garden with the help
of several of last years seed cata-
logues, his wife placidly piecing her
quilt.
After the news had been told Capt.
Eric looked across the table. Mother"
he said, at looks as II the last Of our
children was being taken off our hands.
Now when we want to 60 to the Solo,
mons, there1l be nothing to keep us
home. For we're going some day,
mother and l." he assured the young
couple. Mother just eats adventure,
don't you, mOtherT"
And mother nodded gayly.
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