Missouri Valley times. [volume] (Missouri Valley, Iowa) 1874-1931, 1903-12-17
Observation-Disclosures q
WINNING A BRIDE
BY CHARLES HERRAN.


5(Copyright 1902, by w. r. Hearst. Great
Britain Rights Reserved)
The girl was looking out of the window,
humming softly, with a fine air of indif-
ference. The man was leaning his back
against the mantelpiece, gloomily observ-
ing the points of his boots.
You are sure your mind is made up,
Marjdrie?"
The girl stopped hummng abruptly and
turned around.
what is the use of beginning again."
she said with an impatient movement.
You know one cannot serve two masters.
am going to give my life to my art
But, Mariore you know what it means
TO me l mean YOU know l could never
change or forget"
Why not" she returned quickly. That
Is just what l wanted To speak to you
about. You see you only want a wife
who can see that You get a good dinner
every day and sew the buttons ON your
shirts. You have known us all for years.
Why do you expect me, the impractical
one of the family, 10 snatch at The offer
OF this post? You would have shown more
sense in asking Madge or Lillian, and |
dare say one OF them might have had
YOU.
II suppose it would have been more sen
sible,' he agreed, only don't love either
me 1 will do my best TO overcome my
disgraceful appetite and dine oft senti-
mental song, II You deem it best"
You needn't try TO be funny, ReX!'
she said, severely. you know quite well
should have 10 become Il domesticated
woman If L married, and l wont am
going to devote my lie TO music and II
were to sacrifice that and marry YOU !
should stop loving you in Il fortnight and
hate you in a mouth There that's !, W.,
he asked Then may infer you have
begun already
You may infer nothing, sir" she re-
torted sharply, but her face was Grim
II beg your pardon Marjorie. believe
you may be right, after all, though It is is
hard to think OF giving you up And ,,n ne
are not too angry with me will you tell
me which you think it would be best for
me to try 10 like, Lillian or Madgew
at last! Really. l have thought IT out
carefully and though Lillian is awfully
sweet and--;nd everything, think Madge
She cooks splendidly and knows exactly
how everything ought TO be done In q: q
house and would be perfectly satlshed II
YOU Kissed her once a month or so and
occasionally said the dinner was excellent.
She really would, she is so easily pleased.
While well, you know what ! am,
Yes know what Is You y ape, Ne fepeu
YES I am young-only 19-and you are
nearly 80. Madge is nearest you in age,
and belev We, you 6, could make hef love
Shall try? DO you want me toy.
Eyes. of course / want you to-. 1t Is Tor
your own sake. She would make you
better wife than. L because l don't want
even to be loved
"All right, Marjorie. In a month snail
have made up my mind and VIII tell you.
Good by" she murmured, vaguely
afraid of what she had done one ,so 80 ~,
She tried to reason out the cause OF her
depression, but it seemed to have no
cause and, with a tagging step, she made
her way to the sunny den which she
shared with her sisters.
Madge was sitting there alone, sewing
and singing gayly. She looked up with a
smile as Marjorie entered red e ana an unusual
"Guess who's been here?" exclaimed
Madge. rrx
| Loves of Henrietta tomorrow, and he's
asked mother and me to CO."
I'm SO glad" said Marjorie, but with
singular want of enthusiasm.
A month had passed Once more Mario
| rie stood at the same window, softly hum
ming. She was waiting for Rex, and her
face was very pale.
| Today she had nerved lei self for SUI
| preme effort that sle might do no wrong
| to the sister who had stepped into tile
place she had voluntarily resigned.
She was waiting for Rex-Rex, who had
! fallen such helpless victim to Madge
that he had scarcely a look or a word to
| this that had first taught her what she
AZ she. leaned her head listlessly against
i the window there came from the hall the
sound OF q familiar whistle, and instantly
hsr expresplpp changed. a smiling, ex-