"How, in thunder, could I come in, when your perverted editorial columns were——"
"Stop!" Marian cried, running to him and throwing her arms about his neck. "Do you want it to begin all over again, just when I have you both together for the first time in my life?"
But her father laughed good-naturedly, knowing that as soon as he called "Truce!" the irate Colonel would subside.
"How in the world did it happen?" she asked, still clinging to the Colonel's neck and looking up into his eyes which were fast growing moist with tears of happiness. "Tell me at once, which of you was generous enough to make the first move?"
"Poof and nonsense!" he exclaimed, trying to frown upon her severely. "There was no generosity about it! I reckon Amos and I know where each other lives!"
"You'll tell me, Daddy," she turned to him. "Which of you big babies was big enough——"
"Don't tell her a thing, Amos," the Colonel thundered, getting red.
"So you're the one, then," she smiled up at him. "I'm going to call you Uncle Roger!"—and she kissed him.
"I wish she'd call me Uncle Jeb," came a half sigh from across the table.
"She'll be calling you Captain Jeb,—eh, Roger?" Mr. Strong laughed. "Tell them about it!"