Fitzgerald leader enterprise and press. (Fitzgerald, Ben Hill County, Ga.) 1921-1964, 1923-07-26

under the big clocls in the dining room
Carley looked up to ask: whats the
matter with grandpa? He walks up
and down all the time and won't
smile"
He looked very old and worn as he
caught sight Of Sally.
'Where have you been?" he asked
anxiOusly.
"Only to the Wakefield's for q min
ute. The rain isn't so bad when
you're out in It," she lied
He visibly frightened. That's just
what I've been thinking. OF course
] don't mind weather, never did,"
Perhaps Carleton might feel that
way too. She had sudden buoyance
i, Of hope as she ran upstairs to change
her things. She opened the door of
CarletOn's closet by mistake and
saw The day had curse on 1t,
that was all there was to 1t A glance
| had shown that his new shoes were
missing-he had worn them into town
The fact covered tragedy. Garlic
ton was afflicted with a. little toe OF
his left foot that had to be treated
with peculiar consideration If q shoe
which, Of course, must not be toe
tlght-were the least bit too broad
the toe slipped back under its fellows
to be trodden into agony by them al
every step. If Carleton had been out
ty, hA aIr all ha nFk t.
shoes
Her loving heart swelled with pity
for him. Oh, she couldn't ask him to
take another step! She thought
swiftly Of the time when she had
fallen on the ice and hurt her knee
and he had carried her all the way
home-of all the big crises in which
he had so dearly come to her aid. She
wouldn't sacrifice him now for any.
one! If father had to be disappOint.
ed, he had to be; she would try to
make up to him for 1t by her compan.
onship.
She dressed hurriedly. There was
only one thing left now for her to do
ton before the major saw him, to at
least fend off the blow Of his first in.
evitable words Of Mortified surprise
and protest
She Rugged the baby to her. a little
fat, warm bundle, as her one comfort
In this dreadful, endless day, before
putting him to bed.
"Well, you are all dressed, l see,"
said the major, signing. my, my, il
seems to be raining harder than ever
1t will be pretty tough on the boy to
30 out again tonight, and you won't
want to go without him. l intended
this for a pleasure you know, my dear
but | suppose wen just have to give
it up this time"
mot bit of it !" said Sally, with
forced cheeriness "Waste all those
lovely tickets? Not much!"
She went to the front door and
looked out into the downpour; nc
signs of her husbands But the major
had followed her.
down the basement stairs to peer Out
secretly from the lower door.
where are you, Sally?' he called
Come up here, my dear"
There began wild game of hide
and seek, Sally and the major eacf
on the watch for the first glimpse OF
the homecOmer. She swept the chill
dren out of her way, when, evadins
her father, she dashed up or down t.
either point of advantage.
Don't put dinner on the table yet,
she ordered Maggie.
Ellyn was having hers on tray II
her room and trying a new com
| plexiOn cream Howard was still
glued to the Hound of the Basker
vilicS" The major settled into 9
steady walk forward and back in tn
upper hall, opening the front door a
each round to look out, and Sally il
! desperation took her stand half II
the wet areaway. Would Carleton
| never come?
4
ness of the deluge his figure material
lied unexpectedly near, as, closing hi
| umbrella he turned toward the uppe
steps. His arms were full of bundle!
"Oh, Carleton, Carleton! Com
this way, down here"
Her hands CROPPED for him, dragge
him to her The touch of his dea
body. even in his wet overcoat, SCENE
salvation, though he had an effect O
resistance, as if the dividing haze @
the last few days was still there.
whats the matter? Let's get II
side"
mo, no! wait moment. I've &c
to speak where father can't hear. H
is in the hall above waiting for you.
SAY it quick then! I've been on
all afternoon in these Internal shoe,
My toes"
"Oh, I know it all. dear !" Her whis
pered words came in a torrent. "
tried to get you on the phone to n
mind yOa--this is the night of father
treat that he's been planning 70
months-not tomorrow, as 70
thought"
Tonight! Holy mackerel!"
He stood staring incredulously a
her in the ray of light from the hall
closed door behind them.
well, you can count me out, ther
You don't mean you want me to g
back to town nowT' His voice wa
outraged.