turned to her
seat, Bud's coming in great unrestrained gusts. They were like two
irresponsible children rather than father and daughter.

"Oh, dear. And you, too," laughed Nan. "We can't leave you out of the
picture. Being of more mature years I guess you'd sweep in--that's the
way--sweep in gowned--at your age you don't dance around in
'frocks'--in something swell, and rich, and of sober hue. Oh, dear,
oh, dear. Guess we'd have to match your mahogany face. Wine color,
eh? No 'cute little bows for you. Just beads and bugles, whatever
they are. But we'd let you play around with some tinted mixing of
powder for your nose, or--or we'd sure spoil the picture to death. My,
I'd die laughing."

Bud's amusement threatened to burst the white bonds which held his vast
neck.

"Oh, quit it, Nan," he cried, with his beaming face rapidly purpling.
Then he struggled for seriousness. "I didn't get around to listen to
your foolin', child." Then he bestirred himself to a great display of
parental admonishment. "Now, see right here, Nan, I'll get back in an
hour. Maybe Jeff's fixin' himself the way you said. I can't jest say.
But anyways he's the big feller to-night, an' it's up to you to worry
out so you can be a credit to him, an' me, an' the 'Obar.'" Then he
came across to her and took her affectionately by the shoulders, and
gazed down into her face with twinkling, kindly eyes. "Say, you got
more to work on than most gals. You sure have, Nan. Yep. Your poor
ma was a pictur', an' you're a pictur'. An' I ain't goin' to say which
of you had claim for the best framing. Anyway, what you have in your
pretty face you owe to the dear woman who never had a chance of the
framing you can have. So jest remember it, Nan--and thank her."

Nan's eyes had completely sobered at the mention of her dead mother,
whom she scarcely remembered, and earnestness and affection replaced
all her mirth.

"Maybe I owe it her," she said, suddenly releasing herself from the
heavy hands, and rising from her seat. Then she reached up and slipped
her soft arms about the man's neck. "And what do I owe to you?
Nothing? Ah, my Daddy, I guess you can shake your funny head till you
muss up its contents to an addle. I'll not forget what I owe my momma,
and just thank her all I know, but I'm thanking you too--just as hard."

She tiptoed until she was able to kiss him on the cheek. Then her
ready smile broke out afresh, and she gently pushed