The professional world. (Columbia, Mo.) 1901-192?, 1902-08-01

Iii L ElI iii OiN
4a afternoon.
ES why, mother, what is
the matter with Charlie? You surely
can find no fault with the visits of an
OLD friends of ours like he is"
AS long as they are only friendly
VISITS II does not matter, but last night
ne stayed till everyone else was gone.
County Vflleroy eve spoke of it to me
and asked if he were a relative"
count Villeroy, indeed! What is it
his business"
The count is a sutton for your hand,
mary, and he is likely to be offended
by the lover-like attentions paid you
by Mr.. Ingalls,"
The count may be a sutton, as you
say. but he is wasting his time. / shall
tell him so the first opportunity"
Mary"
Eyes, l am old enough to know nv
own mind, and I declare that I will
never marry that little French ape"
Il am ashamed of you, daughter; he
is a French nobleman, and if you re-
1use him you will offend your father"
40 that in some way every hour"
said Mary, $50 is doesn't matter"
There is Charlie now" said Mary. as
the bell rang, and she ran into the hall
to meet him.
Mrs. Carlen was the wife of a Western
congressman serving his first term. He
was rich and was what is known as an
accidental statesman. That is, his cleo
ton was the result of an accident, and
both he and his wife determined to
improve the opportunity by negotiating
a brilliant marriage for their daughter.
They had selected a visiting French
count for a s~on-in-law, and the affair
had proceeded so far that even the
amount of the brides dover was agreed
upon.
Mary was not a party to the plan, for
she was in love with Charlie ingalls,,
who lived in their home town, and who
would graduate the next year from the
Columbian Law school in Washington.
His studies We're at this time somewhat
neglected on account of the presence of
Mary in the capital.
Mrs. Carlen was provoked over her
daughters obstinacy, and determined
to give ingalls, to understand that he
was no longer welcome at the Carlen
home.
She opened the subject at once when
he entered the parlor, piloted by Mary.
"Mr. Ingalls," she said, after the
usual greeting, " as an old friend of the
family, | want 70 tell you of Mary's en-
gagement to Count Villeroy."
ingalls, looked at Mary. She pursed
up her lips and shook her head.
What barber shop is the count work.
ing in?" he asked, seriously.
What do o meanT' asked Mrs.
Carlen. %frowning.
Nothing" replied Ingalls,, "only I
have noticed that all the French counts
are BARRIERS and walters, or the like"
absurd"
ooh, if Mary loves him it is all right,
for a barber may,make a good husband,
you know"
"If your remarks were mde in his
presence he would punish you Sc
verely."
81 don't get shaved in his shop, so he
will have no chance at me-" said In
gals, laughingly. But what do you
say to a walk, Nary"
"Ill be ready in five minutes" and
she darted upstairs.
Now. Mr.. Ingalls," said Mrs. Carlen,
after Mary had gone, 81 do not desire
to play the cruel parent. but I must in
sist that your visits to Mary cease. She
shall marry the count, and you must
see that your attentions are very disa-
greeable to me-"
"But don't want to marry you said
ingalls,, grinning, cts Macy, and we
are engaged. you know"
without my eonsent?"
eyes. We are both of age, you know.
We do not intend to marry for a veal or
two. so you need not worry"
"All ready, Charlie" said Mary, COM
ing in, and they went for their walk.
leaving Mrs. Carlen supplied with rage
and establishment.
When Mr.. Carlen came home she told
him all that had occurred. She expected
to see him fly into a rage, but he did
not. On the contrary, he looked trou-
bled and stroked his chin whiskers
thoushtfullv.
"You will take the mottnr up your
self, will you rot, Peter?" shn asked.
yes said Mr.. Carlen, "I1l talk to
both of them"
"You must be peremntory and merci-
less with Young ingalls,. He was as
impertinent to me as if l were not
Mary's mother"
The congressman nodded.
"And O must be firm with Merry.
She laughs at us and seems to have for
gotten her duty to her parents"
Another nod.
That evening the congressman called
young ingalls, into the back parlor.
Their interview lasted for some time,
and finally Mary was called in. After
half an hour the young couple an
peared, apparently in a good humor,
ard Mary informed her mother that pa
desired to see her.
I'VE will entertain the count" she
added, nodding to that individual, who
was occupying the sofa.
Mrs. Carlen found her husband seated
comfortably in his large chair.
"Well?" she asked.
.It,a all fixed" said the congressman,