The Democratic advocate., 1908-02-14
FRIDAY AFTERNOON, FEBRUARY IA. 1908
Seleet Stnrp.
The Wooing of Mama
Norman.

lNOi iIIOtis
The room had homelike air that pleased
the young man seated near the cheerful
fire. He was well-built young man,
with clean-cut face that bore thought
full expression, which gave place to quick
smile as a slender young woman entered
the room.
GOOD evening, Philip" she said and
gave him her hand. ''Sorry you had to
wait for me"
''It wasn't long," he answered. 81
passed the time looking into the fire and
finding castles in the glowing Goals -
"What sort of castles, Philip p
s'The kind that turn to ashes, Marina "
She frowned little at his answer.
"Things going wrong again, Philip ?
'They re always going wrong, Marina. "
"And what is the latest trouble p
She was standing by the mantel looking
down at him.
sYou remember that little attachment
for an engine governor that | showed you
last week? l worked it out in brass and
took it to Dewitt Schuyler. He wouldn't
consider it. Said he d had all the new
tangled attachments put on his engines
that he could stand And l relied on him
to place it on the market"
"Didn' you try to demonstrate its value
to him as you did to me p
"Oh, L can talk to you, but l couldn' t
to Dewitt Schuyler. "
"And you didn't take it to Leonard
Hester, nor to Demmelin Brothers, nor to
Hope & Co.?'
'No; 1 was discouraged.
"And where is this attachment now p
81 threw it back on the bench. [
began to think it isn't any good
''Philip, PhilipP'
"What's the matter, Marina p
"Why don't you persevere p
81 don't know, Marna. guess it ism t
in me-"
"Of course you couldn't persevere long
lenough to find out. But [ tell you
it is in you. You need some one to keep
you aroused, to encourage you, to teach
you proper pride in yourself, to keep you
moving along the right road. Thats
what you need, Philip
81 can't afford a partner, Marna.
There isn't enough in the business to pay
two of US.
The girls gaze did not waver, but a
slight flush tinted her pale cheeks.
"The sort of partner l mean would not
be exacting, Philip.
He stared at her.
"Have you some one in view, Marina p
he asked.
eyes"
"Anybody I know?'
"Yes."
Somebody who knows me?''
"Knows you very well.
"Knows my limitations-my weak
nesses ?"
"Knows you thoroughly, Philip"
"And still wants to be my partner p
eyes"
There was little silence The girl
still stood by the mantel looking down at
the young man. Her face was flushed,
her eyes were very bright, and Philip
Braithwood thought he had never seen her
look SO pretty.
II don't see how it could be arranged"
he fretfully murmured. "He wouldn't
be satisfied with any showing l could offer
him. 1t would simply be a list of failures
and disappointments.
The girl seemed to hesitate moment.
"How long have we known each other.
Philip p
"How long? Nearly twenty years.
Ever since we were little children to-
gether.' -
eyes. You value my friendship,
Philip. And you will believe me when 1
say you need partner?''
eyes. But I have told you 1 have
nothing to interest him"
"This partner will not bind you to any
agreement.
land what interest does he ask p
"He will leave all that to you"
''Eh Who is it, Marna p
"Can't you guess p
"You p
She nodded brightly. Then her face
grew serious.
swat, Philip. I am going to say
something to you now that may imperil
our friendship. I have thought it all out
and am going through with it no matter
what may happen. do not mean the
sort of partner you mean, Philip. I mean
a wife,"
uMarna p'
His face flushed. He looked away
from her and stared at the fire.
81 knew it would startle you, Philip"
the girl went on. 81 was prepared for
that. And l am also prepared to plead
my cause. I could be very helpful to you,
Philip. You need me. Nobody under
stands you as do. Nobody knows SO we'll
how to encourage yeu and to arouse in you
the ambition you lack. Iknew you would
never ask me, Philip. And so 1 had to
ask you She waited moment, but he
made no response" Take your time to
think it over, Philip. There is no hurry"
Then he looked up.
81 wish yon hadn't said this to me.
Marna.'
"I am glad 1 said it, Philip. But, of
course, it mustn't make any difference in
our friendship. You will come here just
as you have been in the habit of coming.
You must consult with me just as you have
always consulted"
He arose. She followed him to the
door.
"Come as usual Saturday evening""
she said. "Good night.
She put out her slender hand He
touched the cool fingers and hurried away.