The Washington herald., 1908-02-09
By CECILIA.A. LOIZEAUX.

"I know just how you feel. Dick, but 1
didn't see how it can be helped. When
became engaged TO you We agreed that it
would have TO be long engagement "
It's been three years now, Mary, and
call that long time. And YOU seem
TO have no idea of ending the wait al ALL
You-you aren't forgetting to care. are
you. Mary
Maryis lips trembled as she looked at
him
i care as much-more than ever. she
said you don't understand. You see, l
have been papa's housekeeper since I was
fifteen, and / simply can't leave him
alone"
'He is perfectly willing, Mary Some
times I think he is anxious Tor you to
marry He doesn't want 10 feel as if he
were. in the way of your happiness"
That's Just H." cried Mary. Dear old
dad. He'd sacrifice his own interests for
me any day. I won't nave it."
MARY, how old is your iather?'
Fifty"
And healthy?'
Perfectly We're all proud of our
health
Hes likely to live out his threescore
and ten, then2"
II hone 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 I am so anxious "a get into his im-
mediate family But lets see. Unless
SOME unforeseen accident occurs, ! shall
be obliged 10 wait for YOU at least TWEEN
ty-hve years" he held up warning
hand as Mary started 90 speak. Don't
you see that We're no nearer the goal
than we were three years ago? Don't
wait TO find "A solution OF the problem,
dear. Marry me now and Wen solve it
together"
Mary rose impatently.
whats the use OF talking that way?
You know / can't We thought and
thought-but there doesn't seem to be any
other way out Father fatty refuses TO
live with us-says it's better not-and 1
can't leave him. That's why I sent for
you. I've made up my mind that it isn't
fair 10 keep you Waiting-sO I'm going to
break our engagement" She looked at
him braVeiv. though her eyes swan with
tears and her chin quivered
Dick stared a moment and then began
20 laugh-Which, under the circumstances,
was tile worst thing he could have done
MaUy's eyes began to blaze and the tears
disappeared
hts a joke. is it," she blazed. 'WeH
it's time it was broken. Here is your
ring. I'm sorry for your wasted time
and since YOU are SO anxious To be mar
ried. I hope you viii find some one who
will have YOU right away.
iii he heard the door of her room slam
did Dick recover from his amazement
Then he laughed again, and. putting the
ring i'm his pocket left the house.
Poor little Mary" he unused. ''Well,
see that I'll have To get her father TO
help"
Mary. watching him stride up the street
WhiStliUg Mary. Mary. Long Before the
Fashions Came, sank into her big chair
and Wept
Tie wanted it broken, he wanted it
broken" she walled.
once admitted to the inner Office. Dick
.ook the leather chair which Mary
father indicated with his foot accepted
cigar and Dit it,
rs this business call or just a visit?'
Both. I've been up to see Mary
strange. Anything deing? VIII Mary
aarry?"
"She says she won't In fact. she has
Just given me back my ring l say she
must, and I want you 10 help me-,
"Of course, ] can't force my daughter
10 marry you If she does not want TO,
srinued Mr. Arnold.
Yes. yCu Can-if you go about il right.
4ou see" and he briefly outlined his
ak with Mary. Mr.. Arnold smoked
ercely while the young man talked. and
hen they went over a detailed plan to-
ether
When the young man finally left the
lder shook his hand heartily.
III do my best Dick. Mary's a good
aughter. but shell make just as good a
-ife. and I'll divide"
That evening Mary came to the dinner
bile red-eyed and White-faced. Little by
tile her father drew the story from her.
Fhen she had finished he said I'm
lad of il. Mary ] never would have
sked you to give him up. but 1 am
lankfUl that YOU can see for Yourself
ie did not say what she could see. And
ow that it's ali over 1 don't mind telling
on that there are as good FISH in the sea
have been caught so far. Now, Dick
1-eH he's so slow And then-bUt that's
-lrer now. so cheer up, daughter and fall
} love with some one else.
oh. can't ever do that" wept Mary.
I shall take care of you all my life
Tut, tut, Just put your mind 10 it and
on can do il. / am anxious 10 see you
marry and be happily settled Mary OF
curse. ] didn't say so. because 1 could
ee that YOU didn't really care for Dick.
{ YOU had cared you'd have married him
wo years ago But now that he's
cone
Mary gasped and stopped for her nap
sin. sitting mp again with red face.
[ot care for Dick. Perhaps Dick thought
hat too.
And aside frcm that went on her
ather, Il have been engaged 10 Marian
toward for a year, and ] know how you
sill feel about keeping ME waiting too
ong OF course, I should not think of
marrying again while YOU are with me"
Mary thought she must faint. The room
went round And Tound-and then she
card a voice which must have been her
lwn, stiftiy congratulatiug her father,
ieard him say something the words of
which she could not distinguish-and then
he was up in her own room,
Oh she moaned what shall l do?
80 one wants me Papa is going TO mar
ry again-and even he thinks I do not
care for Dick. 1 must have acted terribly
or papa 10 think that. And why didn't
ne tell me that he wanted TO marry-Pd
have been glad of it-f0r then I could
nave married Dick and would not have
needed 10 worry about papa at all. Oh, /
1t is cruel. And now it is too late. Ne
wonder Dick stopped caring-if 7 acted
Ike that-like they seem TO think I have"
She sohbed miserably.
Il like Marian Howard. / have always
wished ] could have her with me-Td like
TO live with them-but they don't want
me. either. Papa has said time and again
that such combinations are always un-
happy. and SO 1 must go away some
where