Los Angeles herald., 1908-05-03


my question; seeking fitting answer. At length
she broke the silence.
my dear boy, we are all creatures OF circum-
stance-subject to our environments. II you two
had been born and reared a lower plane, loving
each other you do, you might, most probably
would, marry and be very happy, for you would
always be loving and helpful to each other. AS 1t
is-you, having the blood of the Percys and the
Howards in your veins, would be too proud to ask
Dorothy-a West-De La Warr-to become your
wife-unless you could provide for her comfort
ably.
SIS not that so, my son?
"First tell me, mother your definition of the
word comfortably II you mean-untll can place
my wife in such home as Dorothy has now-I
can't quite agree with you. l don't think young
people can, should, expect to begin where their
parents leave off. Is not that so?"
ITO a certain degree 1t is; but"
"Wat a moment mother, dear. My father was
a Howard; you a Percy; would you have been
content to begin life together,-say like this? In
just such an apartment"
Certainly my DEAR In fact, we began in a
very modest little home; but neither of us had
been accustomed to the luxurious appointments
which in later years; which are Dor
othy's now. When the change came, l felt 1t very
keenly 1t was very severe wrench, and | hnd
it difficult to accustom myself to the changed con-
dtions;" her eyes filling with tears.
But, mother, dear, must wait for Dorothy
until / am middleaged man. and perhaps for
ever? You see am beginning right at the bottom
of the we'll; at bed rock. Perhaps Dorothy won't
wait for me;-and-and don't think have any
right to ask her."
"Have you ever asked herr"
81 have not; but am very sure she expects me
to- There is another thing. Something is due
Dorothy. I never thought about that side of ii
until tonight.-Suppose,- suppose for min
ute, that Dorothy loves me very very dearly, as |
love her, and is wlling-nay. wants to marry me,
as I want to marry her; and would be willing to
live just are living now; have the right to
put her off until l come to be middle-aged man,
and she a spinster lady, because am SO proud
that | want to put her in palace? Would that
be fair to Dorothy? think not because spinster
ladies can't be very happy.
"Besides;-she wants me just like l am now.
Percy Howard, twentythree years old, madly, wild
ly in love with her. not prosy middle-aged man
who has forgotten what real love is. don't think
a palace and machines and diamonds would COM
pensate her for the loss of the love of her youth.
By this time walking the floor.
Mother, dear-I know spinster lady, even IL
she were my own Dorothy -matured-could ever
be the same to me my sweet, precious Dorothy
of today.-We must grow old together to love and
appreciate each other in middle life. Isn't that
so?" STOPPING to kiss her cheek.
She didn't answer. ] think | had halfway con-
verted her. and know l had fully persuaded N.Y.
self that it a duty I owed Dorothy,-if she
wanted me-to ask her to marry me right away
-if-f only had the money to take care Of
her!
Then a bright idea struck me- l still
walking the foor maturing little plan before |
spoke again. Then drawing my chair close up
to my mothers side, / began
Mother dear, I've been thinking 1t all over.
Dorothy doesn't care about such things you
speak of. She's sensible, practical girl, and the
most appreciative girl, of the very least thing
you do for her, that l ever saw. Didn't she say
this was dear, dear little homer Didn't she
say it was lovely? Didn't she say, 4 love it'll?
Now what does a that is saturated with
love of girl want more than that?" No answer
from the Mater.
7 ha1sA 60 20 hnr 10