The Republican. [volume] (Mountain Home, Idaho) 1903-1909, 1908-05-27


would have to be long engagement"
tits been three years nov, Mary,
and | call that long time. And you
seem to have no idea of ending the
wait at all. You-you aren't forgetting
to care, are you, MaryY
Mary's lip trembled as she looked at
him.
II care as much-more-than ever"
she said "You don't understand. You
see, have been papa's housekeeper
since l was fifteen. and | simply can't
leave him alone"
"He is perfectly willing, Mary. Some
times think he is anxious for you to
marry. He doesn't want to feel as II
he were In the way of your happiness"
That's just itr cried Mary. Dear
old dad! He'd sacrifice his own inter-
ests for me any day, won't have it."
MARY, how old is your father?"
Fifty"
"And healthyT
Perfectly, We're all proud Of our
health"
Hes likely to live out his three
score and ten then"
II hope SO, and If you mean that you
wish he would die, Dick Lane
Easy, Mary; easy. Personally I'm
very fond of your father. That's one
reason why | am SO anxious to get
into his immediate family. But let's
see, unless some unforeseen accident
occurs shall be obliged to wait for
you at least twenty-five years" He
held up warning hand as Mary start
ed to speak. "Don't you see that we're
no nearer the goal than we were three
years ago? Don't wait to find solu-
ton of the problem, dear. Marry me
now and wen solve 1t together"
Mary rose impatiently.
whats the use of talking that way
You know I can't I've thought and
thought, but there doesn't seem to be
any other way out Father fatty re-
fuses to live with us-says it's better
not--and I can't leave him. That's
why | sent for you. I've made up my
mind that 1t isn't fair to keep you
waiting, so am going to break our en-
gagement" She looked at him brave
ly, though her eyes swan with tears
and her chin quivered.
Dick stared a moment and then be-
gan to laugh, which, under the circum-
stances, was the worst thing he could
have done. Mary's eyes began to blaze,
| and fha toa rc dicoppaar0d
Its a joke, Is it?" she biased.
well, it's time 1t was broken. Here
Is your ring. I'm sorry for your vast
ed time, and, since you are 30 anxious
to be married, hope you will find
some one who will have you right
away"
| She slipped from the room, and not
until he heard the door OF her room
slam did Dick recover from his amaze
ment. Then he laughed again and,
putting the ring In his pocket, left the
house.
Poor little Maryr he unused. swell,
I see that I'll have to get her father to
help"
Mary, watching him stride up the
street whlstling MARY, Mary, Long
Before the Fashions Came" sank into
her big chair and wept.
"He wanted 1t broken! He wanted
1t brokenr' she walled.
Once admitted to the inner eface
Dick took the leather chair which
Mary's father Indicated with his foot,
accepted cigar and lit It,
'Ts this business call or just
visitY'
Both. I'VE been up to see Mary"
Strange Anything doing1 VIII
Mary marryT
"She says she won't. In fact she has
just given me back my ring. I say she
must, and want you to help me-"
"Of course can't force my daughter
to marry you II she does not want to-"
| grinned Mr.. Arnold.
Eyes, you can-if you 90 about It
right You see"- And he briefly out
lined his talk with Mary Mr.. Arnold
smoked f1ercely while the young man
talked, and then they went over de-
tailed plan together.
When the young man finally left, the
elder shook his hand heartily.
'T'll do my best, Dick. Mary's good
daughter, but she'll make Just as good
a wife, and I'll divide"
That evening Mary came to the din
ner table red eyed and white faced.
Little by little her father drew the
story from her. When she had finish
ed he said: "Tm glad Of 1t, Mary.
never would have asked you to give
him up, but am thankful that you can
see for yourself" He did not say
what she could see. "And now that
it's all over don't mind telling you
that there are as good fish in the sea
as have been caught SO far. Now,
Dick--well, he's so slow! And then
!. But that's over now, 30 cheer up,
daughter, and fall in love with some
one else"
"Oh, I can't ever do thatw wept
Mary. 81 shall take care Of you all
my life"
Tut! Tut! Just put your mind to
1t and you can do 1t. am anxious to
see you marry and be happily settled,
Mary. OF course didn't say 30, be-
cause could see that you didn't really