Cottonwood chronicle. [volume] (Cottonwood, Idaho) 1917-current, 1921-02-04
WHO'S VINO?
BY RUTH W. BAKER.

90 lsle. BY Mcclure Newspaper syndicate.
The lobby Of ting Hotel Rexford Is u
most inconvenient place for ones bride
of an hour to dissolve into tears. At
least. so thought Ned Burton. They
had 50 far succeeded In appearing non
chalant aud many years married. but
Esther had been seized with stage
fright as the awful person of the ho-
tel clerk met her shrinking gaze.
"Oh, Nedi' she gasped. Just a
minutel Just a minute They're all
looking at us! Oh. wish we hadn't
No, | don't. Oh dear, what will hap
pen to US II your father disowns your"
"Oh, | say. Esther, there's u good
girl Don't cry-not here, anyway.
Fathers good cid scout He'll take
me back into the office all right
Their lingering footsteps had at
last brought them before the desk. and
now the polite clerk was observing
them with a sort OF detached inquiry
Esther TREMENDOUSLY nudged her hus-
band
"Oh-ah-o. yes. the register" ex-
ANcu. ENOW-trttdt
the pen fell from his nerveless fingers
My father!'
"Where?" quavered Esther. looking
nervously over her shoulder.
Here. on the register. His name, 1
mean. Look here, Esther. It's u great
chance for us, II he ever sees you,
well, it's all over but the cheering"
AS the door of the elevator closed
upon the clipping couple, an elderly
gentleman strolled up to the desk.
Have you by any chance" then his
eyes fell upon the open register. by
George. they're herel' His eyes
twinkled. Didn't know the young
cub had SO much grit. ran away
with the girl l loved. He's pretty
much like the old man, after all. Oh,
by the way" TO the clerk, did you
happen to notice Mrs. Burtonf"
"oh, yes. SIR" the obliging clerk has
tened to explain. Not very tall. sir.
hat and"
"Yes. sir" interrupted Mr.. Burton.
much obliged"
Smiling to himself, he turned from
the desk. then stopped abruptly. What
luck There she was right before him
With smile and a bow, he APP
preached the girl, who stood watch
ing the elevator door with anxious
eyes. II recognized you, Instantly. my
dear, and L"
my dear indeed |" interrupted the
very indignant young lady. why, you
old fiirt, II you don't"
But, my dear young lady, am your
new father" said the embarrassed Mr..
Burton. 81 was looking for"
"Well, you may find some one who
Is willing to be your daughter, but
should advise you not TO insult ladies'
In respectable hotel" and the out
ragged girl swept past him into the ele-
vator, leaving the innocent man speech
less with indignation and rage.
Meanwhile Esther who had been
left In the writing room, had become
tired of waiting for Ned TO return
with his father and parental bless
ing. "Pll Just stroll through the
lobby" she thought. 1T may give Inc
something besides myself to think
about. Oh dear, II could only see
Ned's father and talk TO him, ! am
sure he would forgive us. Good gra-
clous, there he is now!"
"Bald-headed. fidgety." whispered
Esther, Il know that's Ned's father.
am going to speak to him. Yes, I
am" defiantly, although no one
seemed inclined to oppose her. 81
beg your pardon" she began tremu-
lousy, but is this Mr. BurtonT
"Yes, madame, my name Is Mer-
ton" replied the old gentleman tes-
tily, peering at her over the top Of
his goldrimmed spectacles.
"Oh, sir, please forgive us. Truly.
II was more my fault than Ned's."
"What-what-" blurted Mr.. Mer-
ton.
"Oh, am your daughter. you know.
That IL, your SON" Esther stopped
for the gentleman was looking at her
askance. Pretty good for a bachelor"
he muttered to himself. "She must be
crazy. I'd better not excite her." Slap
ping his knee jovially he exclaimed
"Why. OF counsel How stupid Of me
My daughter. yes. yes"
"Oh, good Now let me find Ned
There he Is nowr
In alarm Mr.. Merton caught her arm
He must speak sOothingly to her
There, there. You must wait unit
he gets here" he wheedled.
But he Is here. Don't you sect Oh
Ned, Nedl' Esther vas still trying e
pull away, when Ned, talking angrily
to Mr.. Burton, drew near.
II tell you. father, she is not a ~
rant What on earth are you talking
aboutf She is as timid as a mouse.
He was interrupted by Esther's cry
There she Is now. Good heavens
what is that fellow doing with her
Here, you ruffian--"
Lucky you came along as you did
Keep a sharp eye on her." advised Mr.
Merton confidentially. "She's to-
pretty a little lunatic to"
"Lunatici" cried Ned and Esthel
In unison.