Waterbury evening Democrat., 1908-04-04


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
see, have been papa's housekeeper
since was fifteen, and 1 simply can't
leave him alone"
''He is perfectly willing, Mary. Some
times l think he is anxious for you to
marry. He doesn't want to feel as if
he were in the way of your happiness"
s1That'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 healthy" ...-
Perfectly. We're all proud of our
health
"He's 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 l 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 were
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 We'll solve it together"
Mary rose impatiently.
"Whats the use of talking that way?
You know l 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 l can't leave him. That's
why 1 sent for you. I've, made up my
mind that it isn't fair to keep you
waiting, so am going to break our en-
gagement" She looked at him brave
", though her eyes swan with tears
and her chin quivered.
Dick stared 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 the tears disappeared.
ITS a joke, is it," she blazed.
swell, it's time it was broken. Here
Is your ring. I'm sorry for your vast
ed time, and, since you are so anxious
to be married, l hope you will find
some one who will Yhaye you right
away"
p.eShe 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 Mary" he unused. "Well,
/ see that I'll have to get her father to
help"
Mary, watching him stride up the
street whistling MARY, Mary, Long
Before the Fashions Came" sank into
her big chair and wept.
"He wanted it broken. He wanted
It brokenr' she walled.
Once admitted to the inner Office
Dick took the leather chair which
Mary's father indicated with his foot,
accepted cigar and lit It.
as this a business call or Just
xisit?'
.'Both. I've been up to see Mary"
"Strange. Anything doing? Will
Mary marry"
''She says she won't. In fact, she has
5ust given me back my ring I say she
must, and i want you to help me"
"Of course can't force my daughter
10 marry you If she does not want to-"
grinned Mr.. Arnold.
Eyes, you can-if you go about II
right. You see And he briefly ont
lined his talk with Mary. Mr.. Arnold
smoked fiercely while the young man
talked, and then they went over a de-
tailed plan together.
When the young man finally left, the
elder shook his hand heartily.
"Ill do my best. Dick. Mary's 4 good
daughter. but she'll make just as good
$ q 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: I'm glad Of it. Mary. I
never would have asked you 10 give
him up. but am thankful that you can
see for yourself" He did not say
what she could see. And now that
a4sr al ..x-nr I don't mind FALLING vpYt
that there are as good fish In the sea
as have been caught so far Now,
Dick-weIl. he's SO slow! And then
But that's over now. 50 cheer up
daughter. and fan I'm love with some
one else
"oh. can't ever do that went
Mary. 81 shall take care Of you all
my life"
tut. Tut. Just put your mind 10
It and You can do it. am anxious 20
see you marry and he happily settled
Mary. Of course ! didn't say 50. be-
cause could see that you didn't really
care for Dick. II you had cared you'd
have married him two years ago. But
nov that he's gone
Mary gasped and stopped for her
napkin. sitting up again with red
face Not care for Dick. Perhaps
Dick thought that too
"And. aside from that went On her
father. Il have been engaged 10 Ma
nan Howard for a ye1r. aud I know
how you will feel about keeping me
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