The Bridgeport times and evening farmer., 1920-10-13
Wzten A Girl Mu7Ties By by aynn-
 
By Ann LAssa
z 01x by King Toaf11o0 oY116-
 ca1sA Incl

on this big couch. dear" I cried
 And as soon as I've hugged you once
 or twice more, I'm going to get in
 some scrumptious applies for you | as good as we get at home" | Father Andrew shook his head and
 faced me sternly. His kind hazel eyes didn't twinkle now, but focused
 on me intently from under his bushy brows. His hands were clinched, and
 to keep his voice from trembling as | he demanded again:
 Barbara Anne, where is-my 1 boy?"
 a stacker. And it was agony to him He had come across the country to plead with his boy to be man. He didn't have to tell me-that I could
 Dear" I cried. glorying in the
 news I had to tell, Meal started for
 camp yesterday. My husband was ready to help him get into whatever
 Neal thought he ought to just go along in answer to the call for his draft number-and let his country put him where she needed him." Father Andrews lips moved. but
 no words came. He got to his feet,
 swayed for a secondhand then a wonderful light came into his eyes. My boys gone for soldier!" | 'He Sald IL ike a prayer. AnO
 what do you think? ?" I cried seek | ing the smile that was needed to clear l the air, Meals gone to the big camp
 that's only hundred miles from | home."
 'Back home!" exulted my dear old step "-father-the realest father a girl ever had-"Barbara Anne, I cal
 culate I won't need to call on that
 stranger who was visiting you to | show me much of New York, after Ion pretty quick
 "You're going to stay and visit for a week at least" I protested. Why | Daddy, I'll bet it made a great big hole in that savings-bank account ot yours to come here-and now that | you're here, you're going to see bit of the city and get to know my boy before I let you go back" "The old feed store, she pays me pretty regular daughter" chuckled Father Andrew. My return tickets | bought, and I've still got a few dol | lars of my savings left. So we'll blow and have plenty left to buy the boy , a swell wrist watch, and whatever blankets and f1xings he needs-oh, by
 crickety-my boys gone for sol dier.
 wanted to cry for sheer love of
 Father Andrew and the simple home life he brought back to me. Of course, he wouldn't have liked that
 at all, so hugged him instead, and right in the middle of a hearty smack-Jim walked in-with Evvy on his arm. Which of the two men was more amazed. I don't know, but Evvy purred:
 ! "Oh, Anne-no wonder you're cold to all your wou1d-be beaux-when you've such lovely sweetheart of your own."
 "Jim, this is my dear Daddy!" I cried-and as the two men shook h do I "You understand my ignoring the ladies first rule, don't you, Evvy? Father Andrew Hyland. I'm going to introduce you now to Miss Mason" Father Andrew tried not to show the amazement he felt, but he was far too honest to avoid blurting out: Glad to meet you, Mrs. Mason met your husband here awhile ago. neighborly here in the city"
 ''So Tommy has found-our Anne again." whispered Evvy so only Jim and I could hear, then she sidled up his big, gnarled hands in both hef little soft ones.
 "So this is NeaTs dear, dear father" she murmured, lifting her blue eyes wistfully and wonderingly to the big man who lowered above her. "I'm not Mrs. Anybody, dear Father Andrew'-please, please let me call you that, it feels so cosy and honey to know you I'm & just FEY Evelyn sa proud and happy to meet you as l know you are of that splendid sol dier-boy of ours."
 well. now-you do make an oaa
 But I wanted to take Evvy by the shoulders and put her out. And there was Jim grinning at her antics. ana my dear old father was taking Evvy's s
 
 "Anne, dear," suggested Evvy, very erayely, "Jim's all in from his first hard day-and know Father Andrew is a bit tired from his journey. so, while you three visit, I'll just run out and make you all some nice not tea Before I could protest Evvy was in the kitchen. l turned 10 Jlm anu Father Andrew.
 "Tsn't she a brick?' asked Jim. who had seated himself chummily at Father Andrews side and had hgPted a cigar for the older man. Father Andrew nodded peacefully through clouds of smoke. Jin's voice seemed to come from far away as he sat telling Father Andrew how mighty happy ne was that the telegram from that lad Of theirs hadn't stopped our guest from coming. They seemed to be getting on very nicely without me. So fol- lowed Evvy, the usurper, into my kitchen.
 shaken forefnger.
 "Anne, what a--complete Modern that adorable father of yours is. How calmly he accepted our pairing off YOU and Tom, Jim and me-" There was no possible answer. So T smiled wryly and fell to cutting the
 bread for-Evvy's toast. (To Be Continued)