Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1907-12-24

git me-" Abe answered sullenly. II
with me. And before she'd go buggy
ridin' or to a circus with me. Cert'nly
that was because she had afraid Of
yous'
well, Abe. seem this here's the way
you feel and you bein' my own son
that way, I'll put to aside my regrets
and leave her have you. I'll tell her
tomorrow"
Abe was astonished at his easy sue
cess with his mother. BE had antici-
pated complete routing
Twill you make it all right with
pop?" he eagerly and gratefully in
CURED.
With subtle diplomacy she answered
that she would
1t was not A1til the next evening
that she brougl> herself to breach the
subject with Eunice.
When the evening chores were fin
ished and the girl was about to take
her lamp to go up to bed. she stopped
her and made her sit down with her in
the kitchen.
II got to speak somepin to you," she
began in a tone of sullen reluctance,
her whole person bristling with the an
tagonism she felt against her enforced
concession. "Me and pops been talkin'
1t over, and we conceited we'd tell you
that you'd worked pretty good and
steady fur us and now that you're got
your age and amt got no more claim
on us we wouldn't like to see you
throwed out on the world neither. see
In how we brang you up like our own.
So we just conceited that rather'n let
you unprotected on the world we'd
keep on bein' parents to you, though,
to be sure, we thought to look higher
fur our Abe, him bein' our only son."
Eunice, sitting opposite her at the
kitchen table. was looking at her rath-
er vaguely. But at this reference to
Abe her eyes lost their absent gaze,
and she met her foster mothers eyes
with fixity which the latter found al
most disconcerting.
She made no reply. but waited in 81
lence for Mrs. Morningstar's ramblings
to come to focus.
ITO be sure, our Abe could do lot
better. But then. SEEM you've got him
SOS he thinks he wants you, why, us
we're not putin no hindrance in your
way. You kin have him"
She looked for some Joy or gratitude
hv,f 10 ryfr1 continued IN
regard her R1edly and without reply
ing.
1--WE mean It," she said testify.
you're got the dare to marry him,
SEEM you want him SO bad. To be
sure, guess it's hard fur you to take
1t in that we're leavin' you have your
way!w
Still the girl had nothing to say.
"Wen?' cried Mrs. Morningstar i'm
patiently. What are you got to say
fur yourself? Can't you even speak
SADLY (thank you to a body?"
81 wonder what you expect me to
say"-the girls soft voice at last an
swered the woman's rough tones-"to
thank you for Offering me your SOM"
That's little enough to expect any
how" Mrs. -Morningstar retorted.
Eunice rose slowly and stood resting
her hand on the table. Had you any
thing else to say to mel"
'.You needn't go right aways. Set
awhile" she commanded. There's
some things we'd better talk out now
we're at It,"
"What things?" Eunice asked hest
tatingly, not sitting down.
"Och, I'd like to know how soon you
and Abe thinks yous would like to
stand up to say Yes (get married., and
when you'll want to be buyin' your
aussteuer, and when yous want to go
to Observation-Disclosures like them"
Eve need not discuss those things.
will not marry Abe"
Mrs. DIorningstar stared at her I'M
comprehendingly Eunice waited.
"What d'you say?"
II will not marry Abe"
"Och," the woman said impatiently,
swhat's the use foolin' time away with
purtendin' and talkin' so dumm?"
Il am feigning nothing. l would
not dream of marrying Abe"
els it that you want to be coaxed OF
whatever?' Mrs. Morningstar demand
ed, an angry red in her cheeks. There
l am fur stoppin' when it would come
to coaxin'. 1 amt coaxin' you any,"
cit would be useless, certainly"
"What do you meanY asked the wo-
man, fairly bewildered at such unex.
pected and incredible behavior.
"Why should you think l want to
marry Abe?' the girl suddenly asked
II have long wondered why you
thought l must necessarily wish to-
she hesitated an instant, while Mrs
Morningstar could only stare at her II
blank amazement-"because contin
ued Eunice, there is no fate which
would think more tragic than being
married to your SON"
"You amt talkin' sincere" the wo
man cried. I'D like to know how you
think you could do better or half as
good?"
81 think could not do worse"
Couldn't do worse'n marry our Abe
Your
The girl was patiently silent. Some
thing convincing in her bearing made
Mrs. Morningstar begin to suspect
that she actually meant what she said
and even greater than her Indignation
at this unbelievable slight to her SOL
was her sudden dread of having thai
$1,000 go out of the family.