Cottonwood chronicle. [volume] (Cottonwood, Idaho) 1917-current, 1921-06-24
CORRECTING DAD
BY JACK LAYTON.
t9. 1871. Western Newspaper union.)

Arthur had received another OF
Aunt Sarahs letters, and a letter
from Aunt Sarah usually spelled
trouble. These mlssives were the one
irritant In his college career. Aunt
Sarah had complained OF everything
Ia the family household. and now. the
last-and greatest offender-was old
dad himself Arthur gripped his
chair and scowled. II was all right
TO bowl over the chauffeur or the last
house decorator. but dad--he wasn't
going TO stand for that. Then Ar
thurs frown changed to amaZement.
His father. infatuated with young
silly nobody. and contemplating mar
riage again? Surely. this was I'm
possible. Aunt Sarahs Imagination
had ran away with her. He would
go straight home and ascertain the
fact of tile matter: so Arthur packed
and went. His father was aiarmingly
frank and regardless.
III | choose To marry" he coolly
asked his indignant son. whose affair
Is 1t? And as for the girl being young
and not In our station. those small
matters trouble me not ut all. II
Nalsie can overlook the difference In
our ages, ! am sure that shall
make no objection. And when II
comes To slation-weil, she evidences
q natural talent In the clever ex-
penditure of money. have money To
spend. and ! rather think that II Will
give me more pleasure buying things
FOR a pretty, grateful girl. than for
an Indifferent son who takes the
spending OF money as u matter of
course. Will certainly marry Maisie."
Arthur leaned forward with an In
credible stare.
"MaISIe." he repeated unbelIevlngly.
"Maisiei'
The older man nodded.
"She sings IN musical comedy" he
explained the name Is, believe. a
variation OF Mary"
Musical comedyf" the son again re-
peuted. parrotwlse.
"Why notf" Tower. the elder de-
manded impatiently.
THAT Is where | first saw her. In
musical comedy. A pretty rural act
that quite took my fancy. So did
III, girl. got Simpson. the manager,
TO Introduce US. Found out later
that Mary Field MaIsie, that Is-had
made her debut into stageland through
embroldering frocks for leading
lady; made handwork specially In
order To support herself.
III you have any objections. II does
not make the slightest difference. !
intend To ask her to be my wife. and
will even hold out wealth as an In
ducement. And there is no love In
my case-that Is. moi as the meaning
of the word goes You left me. lone
ly old man In troubled prison-for
Sarah's iron rule and Sarah's com
plainings are no relief TO the loneli-
ness. II Maisie can cheer. and help
he In measure 10 forget past sOr-
row Well, that is all ask OF her"
The young man. seated In the big
mahogany chair, gazed over al the old
man across the somber room. Arthur
had never noticed before the lines OF
sadness beneath the weary eyes; mel
Their had he been fully aware of that
recently whltened hair. So old dad
had been lonely. deserted.
The big house, In all its luxury, was
most depressing-poor dad But he
must not let this scheming little act
ress annex SO easily his fathers for
tune. He would see her first and con
slider dads problem later. Arthur got
out the car and drove la the direction
Aunt Sarah gave him. ut was writ
ten on the back Of pink letter from
the girl" she contemptuously told
him.
Malsie was at home: domestically
at home In u tiny nat. with u sing
Ing bird In the window.
Come in" invited MaIsie, but
please excuse me II | go on sewing"
She was as charming AS Arthur had
Indignantly fancied, with refined SD
peliOr sort Of charm, however, which
he had not fancied at all. The sewing
upon which she busted herself was
u gay covered cushion for his fa'
Tiers favorite chair.
TN place" she sympathetIcally In
formed Arthur. of those gloomy dark
green Things mat are an dOoue.
And as they talked she confided.
softly, her regret concerning his fa-
Tiers drsolnte life, and her own help
less desire to brighten II. FOR what
can do" asked Maisle hopelessly,
land MIR. Tower Is such a dear. good
man."
The mercenary Idea OF marriage
had evidently not entered the girls
pretty head. Arthur returned home
thoughtful His father thereafter was
gratefully aware of his sons kindly
interest and attentions. Then ole day
Arthur sprnng the news.
Il am going" he announced. to
marry Mulsie."
The elder Tower stared. then with
an odd expression, more OF relieved
satisfaction than of chagrin, he sank
into his chair.
THE artful creature" gasped Aunt
Sarah. "She Is bound 10 get the
money enc way or another"
"Malsie never would have married
g.. rthnr I..slaFa1 "and