Golden Valley chronicle. (Beach, Billings County, N.D.) 1905-1916, 1908-08-07
Mary and
Matrimony.
BY Cecilia A. Loiseaux.
Copyrighted, 1907, by c. H. sutcline.
KNOW just how you feel, Dick,
but ] don't see how it can be
helped. When l became en-

but ] don't see how it can be
helped. When became en-
gagged to you we agreed that 1t
would have to be long engagement"
''Its been three years now, Mary,
and l 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, Mary?"
Mary's lip trembled as she looked at
him.
II care as much-more-than ever"
she said. you don't understand. You
zee, have been papa's housekeeper
since 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 IL
he were in the way Of your happiness
That's just it, cried Mary. Dear
old dad. He'd sacrifice his own inter
ests for me any day. l won't have it,"
MARY. how old is your father?"
Fifty"
"And healthy?'
perfectly. We're all proud Of our
health
Hes likely to live out his three
score and ten then"
II hope so. and it 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 he 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 a solu-
ton Of the problem, dear. Marry me
now and We'll solve it together"
Mary rose impatiently.
whats the use of talking that way:
You know / 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 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
II. though her eyes swan with tears
and her chin qulvered.
Dick stared a moment and then be
gan to laugh, which, under the circun,
stances. was the worst thing he could
have done. Mary's eyes began to blaze
otis a joke. Is 1t" she blazed
"Well. it's time it was broken. Here
IL your ring. I'm sorry for your vast
ed time, and, since you are so anxious
to be married. hope you will find
some one who will have you right
away
She slipped from the room, and no
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 thu
house.
poor little Mary" he unused. "Well
! see that I'll have to get her father Il
help
Mary, watching him stride up tn,
street whistling MARY, Mary, Loni
Before the Fashions Came" sank int,
her big chair and wept.
HE wanted it broken! He wante.
Il broken" she walled.
Once admitted to the inner offic'
Dick took the leather chair whicl
Mary's father indicated with his foot
accepted a cigar and lit it,
us this business call or lust
visit?'
Both. I've been up to see Mary"
Strange. Anything doing: Will
Mary marry"
"She says she won't. In fact, she ha
Just given me back my ring. say sh
must. and ! want you to help me-"
"Of course can't force my daughte
to marry you if she does not want to-
Srdnned MIR. Arnold.
yes, you can-f you 20 about !
right. You see"- And he briefly out
lined his talk with Mary. Mr.. Arnol,
annexed 6ercely while the young ma,
talked, and then they went over q de
tailed plan together.
When the young man finally left, tn
elder shook his hand heartily.
"I'll do my best. Dick. Mary's goo
daughter, but she'll make just as goo
wife. aud I'll divide"
That evening Mary came to the dir
ner table red eyed and white faced
Little by little her father drew tn
story from her. When she had flnisl
Cd he said: I'm glad of it, Mary.
never would have asked you to civ
1AO,f he.