The Elk Mountain pilot., 1923-07-05
WAYS OF YOUTH
BY ELAINE N. LIE CLAIRE
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20. 1873. Western Newspaper unIon.)

OI vOlceS. Mr.. IraverB had been vague
ly aware of the soothing murmur when
he had entered the room at quarter
past eight; now, at 10 80, 1t had lost
whatever soothing aspect 1t had once
possessed.
That doesn't sound like Bill Stent-
sons growl." he commented, without
looking up from his paper.
ut isn't" his wife returned, briefly
and wearily, Its a new one"
"What!" The chair which had been
tipped back against the wall descended
to the floor.
mo. 1t isn't. Do be stf, Archie, or
they'll hear you"
who'll hear mer' a7f
"Why, Carrie and Gus"
That's what want to know-Gus
who7"
"Emmons. think" she said. Real
ly Archie, only met him for a min
ute. He's a real nice looking young
man."
Der anyone in town by that name"
II thought l told you that he was
from out of town."
"Well, you didn't. where'd she pick
him upr'
Nov. be sensible She met him at
a dance, and he asked permission to
call, and he's doing It."
"And taking blamed long time
about it. too" He pulled out his
watch. do you know that 1t is nearly
eleven o'clock? Does that daughter of
mine know It? Does that fool fellow
know itY"
Eyes, pa, we know it." There came
a musical laugh from the porch Don't
let us keep you up. If you" but the
closing of the window informed the
youthful Carrie that further attempt
at conversation with her parent would
prove futile.
1T Isn't question of keeping me up
one night in the week it's a question
Of keeping me awake every night in
the week; it's question of health"
Mr.. Travers, halfway up the stairs,
turned to glare down at his wife. Its
been six weeks now since that girl got
home from school, and there hasn't
been single night that l could call
this house my own
There, therel You run along to
bed. I'll lock all but the side door and
be up in a jiffy."
The clock had struck twelve long
before Mrs. Traveps heard the key
CRATE in the lock of the side door: She
heard her daughter come upstairs and
move noisily about her room, singing
to herself. Momentarily Mr.. Travers
became wide awake. "And I'd just got
that Bill trained SOS he knew enough
to go home. What's she done with
him, anyway he demanded, suspi-
ciously.
"Well, / don't suppose that she's
murdered him; it's more likely that
you have driven him away with your
everlasting fussing." g.
i 1t was not until the next evening at
the supper table that Mr.. Travers en-
countered his daughter. "YOur moth
er and were thinking of going to the
movies this evening; want to gO7"
Carrie. in her amazement, forgot to
eat, and stared open mouthed at par
ent who would suggest such a thing.
Catch me. I'm funny like that !" she
at last jeered, derisively.
"When girl gets to where she'd
rather sit in the dark than accompany
her parents When your mother and
l were your age" There was much
more, but Carrie did not hear 1t, for
she was mentally composing letter
to the lately favored Bill.
Mrs. Travers grew uneasy as eight
o'clock and Gussie arrived simultane-
ously. She felt that something must
be done. 1--WE might go to the movies,
after ALL" she ventured tentatively.
1--WE might, but we aren't" There
was silence except for the continuous
murmur without.
Pa" suddenly came the voice of
Carrie. Pa. come here" Pa went,
Mrs. Travers, listening anxiously and
attentively, could not distinguish a
word of the ensuing conversation.
Pa" Carrie was saying, II want
you to meet Gus Emmons. He's heard
lot about you and he's crazy to meet
you"
"Yes, SIR" Gus broke in, before Mr..
Travers could find words which he
considered suitable to the occasion.
1--WE often heard granddad speak of
Arch Travers."
Pa fairly beamed. "That's what
was always called. What's your grand
fathers nameT
"Charles Townsend, sir. My mother
was Fanny Townsend before her mar
riage."
Fanny Townsend, a slender elf in
blue and brown, a porch dim In the
April twilight, the wistful fragrance of
lilac-in a flash all these came back
to pa, and again he was twenty-one;
but only for a moment. Fannie had
been his second serious affair and he
considered that he had, upon that occa-
sion, conducted himself In such a man
ner that the family might yet be re-
GREETING his failure TO enter into 1t.
He pictured Fanny with husband
who drank, or who couldn't support
her returning to live Mt her fathers