The Evening statesman. [volume] (Walla Walla, Wash.) 1903-1910, 1906-11-16
approval, read In her face grief, disap.
pointment and refusal.

pointment and refusal.
Aren't you pleasedw went on the
girl. We've been engaged since
Christmas. Before l visited Florrie
Tucker, Dave asked me and l said,
I'd see.' Then while l was away he
kept writing to me-and l always did
like him best Of any of the boys-so I
just had to say yes He's so obsti-
nate, Dave is, he wouldn't take no."
'Of course l am very much surpris-
ed" Linda said when she could trust
herself to speak. Il think you are
both too young to talk Of such things.
Besides, you are going to college soon.
Mary. and l do not approve of indef-
mite engagements"
But there's nothing indefinite about
our engagement" replied the girl airi-
", twisting the ring on her finger.
I'VE are to be married in September. "
'What?'
"Oh, yes, it's all settled" nodding
her head. Il wrote this morning to
Merton canceling my application. I'm
tired Of study-what is the use of it:
l know more now than any other girl
or boy almost-in Dorsettown. Just
think. after September I'll never have
to study any more"
Mrs. Pennington rose In wrath from
her chair. Mary" she cried sharply.
you don't know what you're saying!
You are giving up carelessly what !
would give years of my life to have
had when was a girl-what you will
always regret giving up. don't often
exercise my authority as your guardian,
but when you act like a silly child l
must. 1 ask you-no, l order you-to
break this engagement"
Mary sprang up and stamped her
foot angrily. "Well, l WON'T" she
cried. And you can't make me; I'm
nineteen years old"
Linda sank back in the chair with
trembling lips. The mother who had
eloped was speaking through her
daughter. Mary, II you love me-" she
pleaded, but she knew 1t would be NO
use. The girls heredity was showing.
and she must bow to the inevitable.
Mary never would understand what
q blow this was to her guardians am
bit1ons for her. College, then advanced
work, or, II the girl preferred, art
study In Paris or music in Germany
these the plans she had made. And
this mad within must overturn them
all!
The girls storm Of fury spent itself
in floods of tears. Aunt Linda.
can't. Don't ask me to-" she sobbed.
David drew his sweetheart toward
him. He had been a silent, troubled
witness Of the scene. Now he spoke
quietly.
IT'S like this, Mrs. Pennington. we
love each other, and we don't see the
use of waiting. If we wait four years
by then we'll have grown apart per.
haps, and 1t will be harder to give In t.
each other. We want to be married al
once. l am making a good living; my
people are pleased, and we only want
your consent"
But she shook her head impatiently
II have nothing against you, David
butt is impossible"
"Oh, NO, Mrs. Penningtony' he cried
''Think-think-when you were young
and In love. Don't you remember how
It was thenT'
How old memories can rise again! A
vision Of a boyish soldier, with plead
Ing eyes and tender smile. And that
parting-eould she ever forget the
sound Of his voice, low and thri1ling7
She gave q shuddering sigh and open
ed tear dimmed eyes. II was only sev'
enteen and he was twenty-and new
er saw him again. His body could MOI
be found. AIR steadying her voice.
she went On. you are right David
1t was foolish and wrong to try to con
troll Mays life. She must work It ou1
for herself. Ny plans were far differ
ent from this, but can give them up
AZ I have given up others"
Dear Mrs.. Pennington" said David
grasping her hand.
Then, when Mary ran OF to set the
supper table and David followed, viii
awkward attempts to help, Linda Pen
nington drew forth an old locket and
gaEed long at the portrait within
'Once 1 thought that the shattering Of
my dreams would kill me-" she muir.
INJURED. But lived to thank God fol
other dreams and duties that came. So
it will be now, l Think
Supper is ready, Aunt Linda" call.
ed Mary, and Mrs. Pennington turned
from the sunset glow.
A Welsh RID.