The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1927-04-06

perched herself on his knee, aud
put her arm about his neck. He
did want pettinG % badly. Mother
will simply have.to take notice Of
my father"
q. NJ. promptly kissed her. 1t
was a nice kiss. on the cheek. and
g. Nj. wasn't clumsy about 1t. e.
Their. Mary's appreciation OF hgfr
rose. He had q certain deftneeS.
this big man. He wasn't clumsy
nor was he vulgar. Mother might
have-but Claude interrupted her
train OF thought.
Zone thing I can't forgive Is
keeping you from me. I can hardly
keep from squeezing the life out Of
you. Mary. I'm 90 glad to have
you within reach. and know you're
my girl. But the little Mary! BY
Jimmy! How sweet you must have
been with your hair down your
hack, or maybe tied with q big bow
of ribbon. and little strapped slip
pers on your cute little feet. Polly
cheated me out Of that. why. look.
you're q great big girl. and Fms
q strange man to you, and you may
be engaged to some bulking fel-
low. for all know, and no room
in your life for a father
Despite the fact that he tried to
treat It lightly. Mary felt the poig-
nant regret in his tone. and her
heart ached for her father. What
could she do to make him know
that he had not only place In Der
life but her heart.
I'm not engaged" she assured
him. as she put up her hands to
her smart little hat and ierked 1t
OF. and slipped from his knee.
Maybe no one will ever ask me-"
Claude made little noise Of scorn-
ful unbelief. but Mary stopped him.
"Stare hard at that picture and
don't look around until fell you"
Dabbs obeyed her. wondering a
little. and Mary slipped the hair
pins from her head.
"Now!"
c. NJ. felt something soft and
silky touch his hand. He looked al
Mary. Her hair down her hack as
a child would wear. It, she was
standing beside him. smiling fear
lessiy. The years seemed TO have
slipped away from her.
'"There. poor old Dad. Pretend
I'm little Mary"
Dabbs laid his big hand caress-
ingly on the silky head. but shook
his own. you're q dear. Mary.
but put 1t up, my girl. 1t isn't the
sap4 thing. Not but what I'd BE-
content enough II l could have you
running In and out Of my house
now. but there's Polly. I'll have
to take you back to her. and then
what"
Mary could not answer him. She
went to the mirror over the little
writing desk and began piling up
her hair. "Shall tell her I've
seen you?" she asked.
Dabbs watched her, fascinated.
It was wonderful TO think that
slender lovely thing was his daugh-
ter. "Would that be n good thing.
do. you think?"
Mary thought for a moment. then
shook her head. A. she slowly put
q shell pin in, she had made npher
mind to tell him about Mother. II
was the best thing to be absolutely
frank. She couldn't juggle things
the way Mother did: you'd bet
ter know about Mother" she an
nounced. "We're sailing for Ven
ice tomorrow"
Tomorrow venicel"
Mary nodded as she drove home
the last two pins and reached for
her hat. Mothers running away.
We're running away from YOU Ind
my instinct tells me Mother will
run far"
Dabbs sat down on the arm Of
the chair. thinking.
"And n I tell her I've seen vot,-
why, she'll move again. and 1t won't
be Venice, and I won't be able TO !
tell you where We are going" !
you're not to tell her." nabbs
said, decidedly. land It will be
Venice. Do you know your hotelY"
1.-THE Royal Danielli." (
swell, say nothing. I'll meet you
there" 1
You'll meet us! Oh. Father!
Can you leave the grocery store7"
Dabbs nodded. smiling. EASY I
eau. when it's you" 4
Mary settled her hat with q
slightly saucy tilt. "Then you'll
tell Mother there. Myi It's roman
tlc!" Dearly would she love to sec
the meeting.
G. NJ. crossed the room, took her
By the diApled chin and tilted her
faee!so that he could look into thu
eyes that she tried to hide with
her long lashes.
1T isn't romantic" he said. "And
much a. II would please you to
manage the affair. young lady. you
can't. Polly Johnston and win Z
manage that part Of 1t By our.
selves" !
"Oh. Father. how could you." !
I'm not 20 slow 40 I look.
daughter. and I know Polly. She
was never to be driven, OF. coaxed,
either. Polly will have to settle
1t herself, and that's the only safe
way"
Mary gave his arm a squeeze.
"Oh, c. n. Dabbs. you're a won.
der. IL the angels had asked ME.
I couldn't have picked any father
I'd like better"
Claude looked at her gravely.
I'm rough. In some ways. girl. but
II you like me, I haven't wasted
my life"
Il only wish I was 4 boy, Fa-
ther. How we would develop your
grocery business together, aud
make money 20 that Mother would
admire u.s., =
ITO BE CONTINUED.)