Iron County register., 1921-09-08
The INFLUENCE.
BY 'MoLLlE MATHER.

Alan had never dreamed that
growing daughter could prove such
problem. When Josephine's mother
died at her birth. Alan was relieved
in the thought that his child's future
would be secure in sisters care. TIL
da, the elder sister, had raised him
In his orphanage and Tilda would be
competent to raise his daughter, so
thought Alan; but he had not counted
upon the difficult temperament of his
child Josephine. Ar
Josephines mother had grown up
in the vicinity, and when Tilda ap-
proved of their comradeship, and ap-
proved also, of the first Josephine's
domestic ability and gentle manners,
Alan coincided heartily with her views,
and his early marriage followed. Jo-
sephine, the daughter, grown to early
young womanhood, possessed neither
her mothers domestic tastes nor amen
ability. Josephine was adventurous,
she had views, and she was apt to be
interrogative. Alan, travelling afar up
on business interests which carried
him, grew vaguely troubled. Tilda's
complaint, upon his home coming, was
that of new friendship in which her
charge persisted.
1T seems" Tilda told her brother,
"that the affair has been going on
longer than suspected. Probably
this intimacy is responsible for many
Of Josie's wild views. An infatuation
I call it."
"a man?" her brother impatiently
questioned.
my, moi" Tilda replied, II almost
wish 1t were man, he would probably
knock some Of the nonsense out Of
the girls head; Josie's divinity is
woman, mysterious sort of person
who has rented the Wells bungalow
for the summer. She looks like
motion picture actress, and spends her
time playing the harp, selecting to
notice no person in town save Josie.
Why Josie, I have been unable to de-
termine.
"DisagreeableT' again the father in
terrupted with question.
NO" Tilda honestly replied, con the
contrary Josie appears unusually sweet
and reasonable. The trouble is, that
one wild notion persists. She will
study the harp. Alan, wish you would
see that woman yourself and speak
to her concerning her mistaken intlu-
ence over Josephine. She would prob
ably listen to a man, but when !
called"
You called" interposed the brother.
Tilda nodded.
II thought 1t was my duty. Josie
positively refused to obey when l Or
dered her not to 60 to the woman's
house again. For let me assure you
that the people here think very little
Of such stranger When / called
she was making a picture Of herself
draped before her harp in a greek
sort Of robe, and when l reproSed
her regarding the notion she had put
in Josephine's head. she was as sweet
ly and stubbornly insistent as the
child"
Josephine really should be given
her opportunity, she said. So came
away. There is no use trying to for
bid your daughter this companionship
Alan, but perhaps the young woman
may respect your wishes"
Alan hesitated, then decided that II
would be wise to have some knowledge
of his daughters new found friend.
Josephine was making one Of her daily
visits at the bungalow, it would appear
quite the natural thing to call to see
her home. So Alan went. Josephine
greeted him in the garden, she was
proud of her handsome father and led
him forth jubilantly.
"Janet," she called, "Janet come
here"
At sight Of q white-clad figure in
the doorway, Alan's disapproving
frown vanished, while Josephine stared
in surprise from one to the other
For her fathers quick cry had been
"Janey, my dearw while her friend
ran in a little rush toward him.
"You will not be displeased, will
1 you Alan" she was saying, because
/ stole march on you and hurried
on to meet Josie. I wanted to wiz
your daughters heart you see, before
she should know me under the unfor
tunate name of stepmother. You were
far away Alan, 1t really seemed thu
most acceptable way of spending m.
time. And / have discovered a secre
for you, one that will not keep anothe
moment. Your daughter has grea
musical ability, Alan. I am very Ger
tain of this, and you must give he
an opportunity"
But" murmured Josephine, IT d
not understand"
"Of course you don't" penitentl
Janet's arms enfolded her.
"It means dear, that your father an
I met somes time ago, quite accider
tally, when he called concerning
certain suit for damages. My littl
brother, Laddle, had been almost criI
Piled by recklessly driven automobile
a. 4