The central record. (Lancaster, Ky.) 18??-current, 1920-01-22
BY sAIDER Z. BALLOON

'"uiplniulug. disappointed what
seemed TO he hail "n,iuus information
lu hi- speech caused his wife 10 r..
gard him with ccnsuring amazsm.nt
Why. Hiram Fnrton! she ez
claimed 1T isn't possible that you
wish 10 get rid ~ Huthle and Pearl -
You know don't. mother" r.
turned Hiram promptly. but a talk
with Nelghbor Duane set me sort Of
casting uP things His daughters ARE
younger than ours. and yet they are
settled IN life u has set me thinking
that ours ARE both ~ marringenble ne.
aud yet they don't seem 90 hit n.
Young men nowadays are cavaliers
They hang around and enjoy IL. but
no, On" ~ the b.auN Ru;hie and Pearl
have had has come down 10 business
Aren't they spelling the chances 10 the
giris by not leaving the way clear for
youar men really looking for Wlyesf
TN thinking 81 the girls. Rachel. I'd
hate 10 see them left old maids"
Don't let that trouble you" spoke
Mrs Parton quite tnrtly. "Prettier.
better behaved girls don't eristf"
We'll. you and I knew eA-h other
only siN months before we got splicsd
Haven't Ne been happy ever sincef"
Rachel could not demur nor deny.
but remarked Verne Walters and
barry Grey are two fne. sensible
young men. They like our daughters
sud the girls know ~. and are glad ~
H. Give them time. IIium-you will
have "a part with them sooner than
you wish maybe"
well. Doane gave me a few ideas
today" said Hiram. "Thos. fellows
haze been coming 90 the house for
over year regularly and ought to
know their minds by this time"
Yes, and they enjoy IL, like all the
young people. Who wouldnti for you
help like all the rest Of US 90 max.
them welcome. ! am glad To show real
hospitality and encourage IL In tn.
girls"
Nothing more was said just then.
but when they had reached home and
Hiram was alone in the barn putting
up the horses he muttered: "I1l take
poans's advice and try some new tao
tics. lm spelling those young fellows
with two much kindness. They've just
rot 10 declare thcmseives-
Verne Walters was counting Ruthie
Parton aud barry Grey her sister.
Pearl. according TO local gossip. and
had indeed become almost domesti-
Gated with the partons. The place had
got Go be like home Co them aud they
and the girls enjoyed every moment
Of their harmonious companlonship.
Amid comfort. contentment and a gen.
eral understanding as TO what this
would lead 90. the young men allowed
matters TO drift. and the girls were
glad of the opportunity 20 get fully
acquainted with the lovers they intu-
itively surinlsed would sooner or later
breach the subject OF marriage. The
sunday afternoon. on their
way 20 visit sick friend. Verne and
Barry drove M TO the Barton farm
house In buggy. II was mining and
usually Mr.. Parton led their rig 10 the
harm. but on this occasion he sat In a
corner 81 the porch and made no
move. when. after half an hour. the |
young men departed, he awarded them |
a mere nod of the head. Ruthle !
glanced AZ him reproa chfully and |
Pearl was rather frightened at his
manner.
lie let cross grained unfriendly Tige
loose about the time the young men |
returned aud the animal by NO means
gave them n cordial greeting. Il had
always been the custom for MIR Par /
Ion 20 20 down Into the cellar .aiiout
right o'clock In the evening and bring /
~ some of his prime cider aud chat
In gracious way with the visitors.
Dn the present occasion he steadfast.
y smoked In solitude and there was
4 decided tension In Affairs ~ the
Young men left early and the girls
vent Ia bed feeling that n cloud had
some over the pleasant home life.
The ensuing "Wednesday evening
Hiram perseverei In the same line ~
actics. lie was uncommunlcatlye. he
turned out the pnrlor light early and
he lovers strolled about the garden
~ themselves glad to get away from
he glum sullen behavior OF their for
ner genial host.
Ruthie aud Pearl came In half AN
ionr lates leaking consciously embar'
assed. Their father stole probing
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