The wageworker. (Lincoln, Neb.) 1904-????, 1908-08-29
For Her T Father Sake
BY AIban e. Ragg
BY AIban e. Ragg
Copyright, by shortstory Pub. Coz

what he said, for she sat staring at
the blazing log, thinking, thinking,
thinking of the past and of possible
ties now lost forever.
Five years ago William Dutton had
come to make his last appeal to her to
marry him. He was employed on the
railway and had received good ap-
pointment in Chicago, and he came
either to obtain her promise to marry
him or to say good-by.
Five years ago! 1t seemed like five
| hundred. How hard he had striven to
| overcome her conviction that to marry
him would be contrary to what she felt
to be her duty towards her father.
LET him come with u.s. he said.
'No; it would break his heart to
leave the old farm; he'd never con-
| sent she replied, sadly.
Then William Button, driven to des-
peration, cried angrily:
Seems to me he's a selfish old man.
Parents is eyerlastingly talking about
the duty of children, but they mostly
forget the duty of parents
! Hush, Will; he never tried to make
me stay. I never even spoke to him
about it. l couldn't, you know, be-
cause I promised mother when she
died that l would never leave him
alone"
"Then you have quite made up your
mind, have you?" he said in strained
voice.
Eyes, Will; but don't speak unkind-
ly to me. God knows it's hard enough
to let you go without having you an
cry with me-"
And with sob she laid her head
on his shoulder, and he stroked her
hair and spoke a few kind, gentle
| words of affection.
"Mary, I've been a good father to
you, haven't I?'
Eyes, father, you've always been
good to me-" she replied, evidently
surprised at this unusual remark from
her father, who had exacted so much
and given SO little in return, but then
he was lonely old man, and never
meant to be selfish and mean and un-
reasonable, she thought.
Il wonder how you'll get along with
out me, Mary" he continued, and his
voice shook perceptibiy.
Hush, father; you must not talk
like that; you'll last for many long
day yet
The old man chuckled to himself.
II wasn't thinking of dying, Mary
he replied, significantly.
That's right, father. Why, you're a
younger man than many a one hall
your age" she remarked, cheerfully.
do you think so? Do you think
so, daughter" A look of eager hope
came into his eyes.
"Of course do; any one with halt
an eye can see that" she said, in a
tone of mild surprise.
MARY, I've got something want to
tell you. I've been trying to make up
my mind for the past six weeks, but
I never knowed quite how to do it."
What is it, father? You are not ILL.,
are your" she inquired, anxiously.
"No, daughter; never felt better in
my life"
"By the way, how long is it since
Harry Johnston died?" he asked.
Mary glanced up in establishment
"About two years ago." she said
What made you think of him, father?'
I'LL going-to-to tell you
that / am going to marry Harry John
stons widow" he blurted out. II just
wanted to know what you thought Of
her."
sFather!" she cried, and her face
lost all its healthy glow. She stood
staring at him in strange, vacant
manner as though unable to realize
what he meant.
'Well! Well!" he remarked testify
what have you got to say against it 2
Nothing, fother. Do whatever yot
think is for the best
Both remained silent for moment
The clock struck II. The old mar
got up out of his chair.
"Guess it's time to go to bed" he re
marked.
Eyes, father; 1 reckon it's abou
sleeping time," the woman answered
YEARLY.