Waterbury evening Democrat., 1907-07-03
SIR EDWARDS l LOVE STORY
By OWEN OLIVER
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 Copyright. by Joseph B. Bowles.)
TOLD BY OTHER PEOPLE

VIopyright, py Joseph b. BoWles)
 Her Father-Of course I know that
 ir Edward Grey is hanging round Folly." as you call t. Why shouldn't
 e? Look here, Dick, don't want to
 uarrel with you, but 1t will be easier pr us to keep good friends If you hind your own business. You may re- lard your cousins business as yours.
 don't; and I've no reason to suppose hat she does
 No, won't pretend not to under tand you. l am sorry, very sorry; but 1t is out of the qnostion-there Rre many reasons against it, but ono g enough. Molly is appropriated al feady-if you don't believe what lay, It's no use talking to you--f icn't know that I ought to tell you; but 1t s Grey. No. she isn't actually en- Eaged to him at this moment; bat he has asked my permission to speak to her tonight. I understand from your |aunt that she will say ''yes"-Why not? He is a man that most women ike; and most men, too, for the mat ter of that.
 Too old? Norsensei He's several years short of 90; and he's young in his ways. and distinctly good-looking. bot to mention that he's one of the most rising men fin England. make every allowance for your disappoint-. ment, Dick. but you've no right to speak like that. I am not a tyranni- cal parent, as you ought to know, and I have not tried to influence her in any way. No doubt she knows that I shall be pleased at her choice; but girls don't marry just to suit their fathers. give you my word that l have put no pressure on Molly, and shall not.
 But whas grounds have you for sup posing that Molly is in love with yoG7 In coasinlg way. no doubt, she likes you. Just so! You've been like bro ther and sister. People don't marry their brothers and sisters. I'm certain that Molly never dreamed of such a thing. Let you speak to her first? Certainly not. won't have her upset tonight. You'd better go. You're not i master of yourself at present.
 Poor chap! If he had any sense he'd see for himself that the child's head over heels in love with Grey. An! we shall miss her!
 Cousin Dick-You-er-you be surprised to see me, Sir Edward, but --er-I've got something important to say to you. No, thanks, won't sit down. I-er-it's about Molly. My cousin. you know-Miss Lisle. I-she -er-I shouldn't come and speak like this, only-well, sir, you see we've been brought up together. and l un. derstand her. She always told me things. and think you ought to know that she-er--what I mean is that we're in love with one another. There wasn't any need to tell one another. We've always understood. ever since we were children-she understands right enough, only-well, you know what women are. Aunt has always wanted her to marry some one who was we'll of. You are a great man, you see, sir. and am not we'll of, or clever, or anything; and I daresay might make bit Of fool of myself sometimes. but I'd work like slave for her, and we'd manage somehow. We'd have to wait, but she wouldn't mind that She isn't the sort of girl who'd grumble at waiting for fellow. Is 1t likely should come and talk to you In this way if I wasn't certain that she cared for me? I'm sure 1t isn't any pretense that she likes you, sir. Anyone would. Only she's more my age, you see; and we-we've al- ways been such chums.
 What do I want you to do? Why, not to let her be persuaded to marry you if she'd rather marry me. knew you wouldn't want her to if she didn't want to. That's why I came You could ask Molly straight about 1t. She wouldn't tell lie. If she says she likes you better than me. I'll never bother her any more. but she wont-I know 1t. Yes, uncle told me you were going there to-night--won't 1t look funny if you don't go. now you've said you're going? You know best, of course.
 Goodnight. say, sir. you-you're the best chap in the world. If Molly were sensible she'd Ike you better than me. only-well, y6u see. we've always been together. and girls % like a chap when he doesn't deserve 1t. I'm awfully sorry. sir"
 Nolly-You think this dress does look all right. mother? That's what thought, only I didn't know if he might like me better in blue-I shall