Fitzgerald leader enterprise and press. (Fitzgerald, Ben Hill County, Ga.) 1921-1964, 1923-07-26
"oh, Carleton, carletonl Is that you


"Oh, Carleton, Carleton! Is that you
at iast?"
At the note Of tragedy Carleton
registered, as they say, consterna-
ton; his jaw dropped; he looked
wildly around as If for escape. Then
his eyes met Sally's once more A
swift change came over his counte-
nance, he drew his mouth down in a
humorous resignation. A generous
kindness seemed 70 emanate from
him as enfolding as light, as he MUIR
INJURED:
well. what do you know about
that!"
Sally caught her breath-always
when she needed 1t, the miracle of
his help was made manifest. His
arm was around her as they went up
stairs to meet the tall, thin old figure
at the top.
carleton, you poor boy! You won't
want to go out again."
"WhO minds little rainT' said his
son-in-law hardly. Just the night,
I'll say, to get off for some fun"
If you had seen fathers face
then! Old? Not bit of 1t!
whats this hear2" Carleton con-
tinued. 1.-TWO tickets to spare?-Tu
have to kick off this shoe, it's murder
Ing me. No taxis, of course. I'll settle
all this! Don't you worry, Sally, I'm
not going to walk, couldn't"
He paused for breath as Carley and
Maisie hurled themselves upon him
in welcome.
"Here, children, leave your Dad
alone. I've got to get to the phone 7"
1T isn't working" moaned Sally.
yes 1t is-Give me Mountain 1870.
Hello-hello! Is this Mr.. s. w. Watts?
We'll, Squatty, this is the president
Of the United Goldfish Creamery as
ISOLATION. Yes, 1 supposed you'd rec
ognize the voice.-The Missus still
away ?-Anything doing tonight with
you and your kid brother? l thought
not. The question Is, can your car
make this house and the 1880 train
afterward ?-Fine! We're off on a
theater bat, the majors party; two
tickets to donate. The majors some
prince, I'd have you know. Yes, 1t
rains; we expect to land on Ararat.
Are you and Jim in on this? We're
only asking you on account of the
car, yunerstan .-Sally's Mortified
What did you say? Take us all the
way into town? Oh, that's too much
All right, We'll expect you"
He turned to his wife to say, Never
mind my dinner, all I want Is to
change and soak up my feet!"
1t was wonderful party. It wasn't
only that the hilarious guests motored
them all the way into town, or that
Father, dear Father, beaming with a
touching joy, sat between Carleton and
Sally, and saw that no one lost point.
There was, beside all this, deep
inner glow of pleasure, an overtone of
harmony that made itself felt even to
those least aware of It's cause.
AS for the supper at the Bamboula
afterwards-but why go into details?
The Major never did things by halves.
AS Jim remarked, "Oh boy! That was
some eats" If Sally felt pang for
Ellyn, at a remembrance of the girls
face over the banisters as the gay
party left the house, she sternly
quenched it. Ellyn would have to
learn.
1t was after their return-singlng
all the way, Fathers bass, mind you
Joining in-that Sally, getting ready
for the night, with her hair unbound
leaned against her husbands shoulder
to say:
81 don't know how you manage it
| you never fail mel"
THAT'S the big idea" he announced
the tender pressure of his arms around
her voiced the unspoken words:
"And never will /"