The Crittenden press., 1920-07-16
"All in
the Family"
By GEORGE E. COBB

waved the missive In question that
had just arrived, kissed 1t gsily and
handed II to her married sister, Mrs.
Merton. The latter perused 1t and
placed II on the table. Then both sis
ters broke into smiles ss little VIII
fred Merton. three years old, picked
up the envelope. grsvely pretended
to read II. kissed Il as her auntie had
done and thrust II into the pocket OF
her apron with . sense of Importance
quite wOmanly.
The ladies discussed the anticipated
return of John Bond In detail. He
had been absent for half q year. striv-
ing to get rid Of some land in Idaho
left him by Z sister. There had been
an alfalfa crop to take care Of and
now. provided cloud Oh the title
could be cleared away, an irrigation
company was ready to pay q substan.
tial sum for the tract
when is father coming, l won.
derY' asked Dora.
He doesn't know exactly himself,
but sometime before the first, l 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 of into the
garden by herself, and whenever
mother and aunt got q glimpse Of her
they observed that she would take the
envelope from her pocket and pretend
to read It. talking to herself about
"Grandps coming home" and post.
ONCE" 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 and bring her into
the house. but wllfred had finished
her nap and had strolled OF some
where. Mother and aunt searched for
her but could not discover any trace.
Wen somewhat anxiously they started
out to look for her outside the home
precincts.
None Of the nelghbors had seen her.
Nearly half q mile from the house q
policeman informed mother and aunt
that little tot answering to the de-
scription Of Wilfred had asked him
the way to the postofsce. That was
an hour ago and the now alarmed
women hurried downtown.
Various clews were gained and fol.
lowed down, but fruitlessly. 1t was
dusk when the fired Winnie and her
sister neared their home.
why" cried Winnie joyfully, a.
they neared the gate. "there is VIII
fred now!" 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
storyl" Wilfred was pleadins when
her mother rushed toward her. clasp
Ing her 10 her arms in q transport ef
delight Her companion arose to his
feet and bowed courteously.
II found the little one nearly 4
mile from here" he said. lost and
crying. She could not tell where she
lived, but happily showed me an %.
vslope giving this address. I brought
her here and We have been waiting
for some one to come and claim her"
"How can w ever thank your
cried Winnie. and in the sxuberancs
Of her gratitude she took his hand
In Z friendly clasp. and then flushed
at the temsrity Of the impulse and
looked more beautiful than ever In
the eyes Of . very impressible young
man.
Wilfred clung to him clear to the
sate and then wept because he had
promised to tell her another story.
She was 30 insistent and Mrs. Merton
felt - kindly toward Mr.. Wilton Barr.
10y. a. he introduced himself. that she
asked him to stay to tea. HIS visit
ran we'll into the evening and he ~
ceved q genial invitation to come
again.
Within q month Wilton BARLEY was
enraptured with the young lady who
had flashed upon his life. q bright mas.
netic meteor. He had Travelled a great
deal. and one evening In recitine an
adventure near a certain town In
Idaho, Winnie remarked:
"That Is where my father Is st pres-
snt," and told something Of his mis-.
sion there. BARLEY looked strangely
interested and the nert day told his
new friends that he was going away
from the city for q week or So ana
when he bsde Winnie good night At
tne uoor ~ clearly as ne could without
szactly 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 10 an Idaho
town and explained how. through his
daughter, he had learned Of his iden.
tity and whereabouts.
The litigation you mediate TO
clear your property" he said. "is
based upon an interest which I have
Inherited from my aunt I shall set.
Ne II BY giving you a quit claim de~d-
why ! can hardly ask that" ~
piled Bond.
"You see'" continued BARLEY. Mis-
Bond and myself have become some.
thing more than friends, 90 iet US con.
slider II all In the family" and John
0nnd understood and 49,. .A..As,