The Spokane press. [volume] (Spokane, Wash.) 1902-1939, 1907-09-04
The DuiW
Short Story
TOO LATE"


| Il do think it's a sin. Jack for
you to insist, when yon know this
is my hrst season, and have look
ed forward to at least two years
more of freedom"
Very well, Dorothy, l won't say
| another word. trust your seasons
will be bright, and / will endeavor
to do my best to make them So"
"Oh, Jack, you are so dear!
Well not be sweethearts for some
time; We'll pretend we're only
chums."
Dorothy Madden was considered
the prettiest girl in the state, tall,
and slender with laughing eyes, au-
burn curls and chin and mouth
that were the envy of all the girls
around.
Col. Madden had at one time been
prominent In politics, but after los
ing his wife, his health had failed
and little by little his immense for
tune had disappeared. 1t was quite
blow to. the family when they
found they had only their home and
Il lew thousands leIJ.
Jack Churchill was the heir of
his uncle, Robt. Vaughn, the Mich
igan millionaire, and was much
sought after.
Two gay seasons had passed. Jack
did everything to make Dorothy
have pleasant taime. The many
late evenings dancing. etc., began
to show on Dorothy: she was thin
ner, her eyes failed to have the
brilliancy that at one time made
them so beautiful. And Jack had
never in the entire two years men.
toned marriage to her.
Col. Madden, seeing the change
in his daughter, and knowing that
Jack had not been to him to ask for
Dorothy. supposed she was griev-
ing. Calling his daughter to him
one morning. he said: Dorothy,
does Jack seem to be as attentive
as ever or have you lost your heart
to another, and refused the boy?
You know, my dear, how we're sit
uated. Margaret is old enough to
come out You were a year her
senior when you made your debut,
and it isn't dol gnher justice. You
must make up your mind to marry
and give your sister an opportunity.
| cannot keep two daughters in
society,""
Father" said Dorothy, two
years ago Jack asked me to marry
him; | begged him to wait; l hated
to settle down; since then he has
never mentioned it, but l will try
TO look my prettiest tonight and see
what | can do
While Dorothy and her father
were talking in the library, Mar
garet was in the summer house
but not alone!
Sweetheart, though you haven't
made your formal debut, you can
marry me and We'll tour the CONT
nent and you'll have just as nice a
time as any of the debutantes."
1t was Jack who was pleading,
and the girl he wanted this time
was not Dorothy. but her younger
sister.
We'll, Jack, dear" said Margaret.
guess you're right. Dad hasn't the
money to keep us both in society,
and Dorothy won't marry. Come,
we'll go to the house and tell them
the news"
There was quite contrast be.
tween the sisters; Dorothy, tall and
fair, Margaret, petite and dark, with
large gray eyes and the beautiful
Madden mouth,
Dorothy had just finished her talk
with her father, when the door sud
denly opened and Jack and Mar
garet, hand in hand, stood in the
doorway.
Father, Col Madden" called
both of them, we've come to tell
you.' continued Jack, we're going
to be married"
Col. Madden tried to hide his sur
prise, for he had thought 1t was
dorothy, not his little Margaret,
whom Jack wanted.
Margaret" said her father, you
couldn't have looked the world over
and have pleased me better. jack
he continued, you can have her,
but remember she is nothing but
a child"
Dorothy in the meanwhile was
trying to control her feelings. 1t
seemed as If her heart would break
for she loved Jack dearly.
"We're to be married on my birth
day." said Margaret which is two
months from today"
81 am glad you have appointed an
early date" said Dorothy, for my
advice to you is not to be foolish,
like | was, and wait until it is-too