The Guthrie daily leader. [volume] (Guthrie, Okla.) 1893-1996, 1920-07-06
THE
STOLEN HOUR
BY RALPH HAMILTON

Mrs. Dodson put II when Nellie began
to have company.
II won't have these young fellows
burning my lights in these hard times
and disturbing my rest after reasona-
Bile hours !" was the gruff ultinatum OF
Ar. Dodson.
Now, don't be bear !" soothed Nei-
lie. restoring the good nature of her
father with kiss and hug. "As 10
the young fellows. why. papa. there's
only one lately, and he comes only
twice week"
This was true. and Nellie looked a
! trifle fustered as she thus called at
tentioR TO the fact Vance Drury had
got TO be pretty steady company, and
Nellie's preference for him was so
clearly shown that would-be suitors &C.
cepted the situation and II was pret-
ty generally considered that Nellie and
Vance would make match OF II,
A courteous, weil-considered young
man was Vance Drury, and except for
the head of the household who stood
on his dignity with all of Nellie's Wis
itors, the family all liked him Inn
mensely. Not only the lovers. but Mrs.
Dodson and Nellie's two younger sis
ters were always invited to become
an audience when Nellie and Vance
played their duets In the music room.
But one particular evening John
Dodson was all out of sorts. Bust
ness had been bad at the office and he
felt tired and grumpy. He wanted to
get 10 bed early and make other peo-
pie do the same. The usual coterie
We're enjoying themselves IN the mu-
sic room when Mr.. Dodson stole froms
the den unObseryed and entered the
main living apartment whence the
family group had finally adjourned.
The lights We're turned down low |
ard apparently no one was observing |
him as he approached the clock on !
the mantel shelf. The house was run
by this trusty old tlmepiece and
Vance pretty Systematically followed
its indications as 10 departure. Mr.
Dodson noiselessly opened the glass
face OF the clock. The hands stood at
half past eight. He deliberately
turned them ahead an even hour, Gid
ed back TO the den and awaited the
of his unovely scheme
for sacrificing the contentment OF
others TO his own selfish ends.
At o'clock correct time the music
room group returned to the main
apartment 1t was Mrs. Dodson who
first to glance at the clock
md IN her pleasing polite way OBJ
served: "r A'i
"Why, how late It IS, | declare you
wo are so engrosslng In your delight
nj music that time flies faster than
ye realize" and consistent Vance,
While his face bore queer expression.
rose TO go and within II minutes
Iohn Dodson, wickedly grinning to
limself, was ensconced in his comfort
ble bed
Alas for the retribution of the fol-
owing morning. The profoundly slum-
ering Mr.. Dodson has aroused by
he dlreful intelligence that 1t was
alf past seven, and that If he expect
d to catch his regular 8 o'clock sub
rban train he must make short shrlft
t dressing and breakfast. He hn1 a )
lretched 20 minutes of haste and hot
amper, nettled to comprehend that
e was hoist by his own .petard, for
G had neglected TO set the clock rlgh'
flor tba dpnartura of Vnnaa
Breathless, his scarf united. his shoe
ices dragging he reached the depot
lst In time to catch--the O'Clock
'alnl Mentally he scored himself for q
that the clock had not been II
astored to normal taking it for grant u
/ that the well trained servant had
1ne by her own timepiece in her
sual morning activities.
He pumped down into a seat and
len, looking about him, observed I'M |
miiar faces. why this Is not nv
'gular train," he began, turning to
lie other occupant of the seat He
lshed, embarrassed, as he recognized
ance Drury
mo" replied the young man, this
The Z o'clock. An hour earlier than
" thought, Mr.. Dodsoni Perhaps 8
'ur clock was Wong y
ayes. 1t was'--and then the speak. VI
paused guiltily. CT
81 noticed you set II ahead" said ye
ince very calmly, and smiled. John re
)dson fidgeted. ST
"You dldf" DO
yes" nodded Vance equally. Ia
And said nothing about it?" tn
"Oh, / was too polite for thati Be up
les, the gentle hint had its effect. ou
ie system Of your household has my
spect, Mr.. Dodson. And do you tw
ow," continued Vance brightly, 'it lou
is very fortunate for you that you FIR,
ut me home an hour earlier than 70,
ual" ins
Why, how so?" inquired the mysti. lel
a father of Nellie. lar
"A friend of my father was at our
me, just leaving. He comes from
, east to settle down here, has BIZ
ne large funds TO invest and asked
TO send him to a good broker.
ned YOU, of course"
Why, thanks" stammered Mr.. Dod. con
}. fi ing
'ohn Dodson gave. Vance Drury