Rock Island Argus., 1909-02-20

to learn his fate Mary loved him and
when he proposed told him so. Then
he iourneyed to the farmhouse home !
of his sweetheart's parents.
"You may write to any one in the
city you know rs to my character and
ability to care for Mary" he told him.
"Ycung man. cities are wicked
places" said Farmer Wayne. .Do yon
believe in God?" he asked abruptly.
"Why-er-of course, Mr. Wayne"
he replied. abashed at the text of the
query.
"Do You belong TO a church,? the
stern inouisitor continued.
swell. Mr. Wayne, you see / am
pretty busy, and II stammered
, Mott
You are not a Christian. You are
| money changer in the temple" thun-
iered the old man. II know your city
| ways. You forsake all paths except
those that lead TO fortune. You are
| hypccrites and deceivers" he shouted
| in concluding the denunciation.
"Then r. began the young man.
"Never see my daughter again, sir.
Goodby"
"I love her dearly. Mr.. WAYNE. and
! she loves me- III not promise never
! TO see her again." And he left with
heavy heart.
| 1t took many, many days to decide
whether to go where her heart led or
obey her Puritan parent. In the end
| love won, and in January they were
married i'll Chicago.
Farmer Wayne received one letter
from his daughter that he read. 1t an
nounced her marriage. Subsequent
| mssiyes were returned unopened, and
he forbade his wife to mention her
| child's name TO him.
Thanksgiving day held little cheer
for the occupants of the old farmhouse.
There would be just two lonely OLD
people at the table who expected soon
to be called to an eternal reward.
Il hope Mary is happy" Mrs. Wayne
spoke aloud without thinking.
Don't, ma, don't!' cried her hus
: band
/ why. Siah, you're crying" and sht
ran to Soothe him.
now. Things have changed since we
were young. and because that youn:
man did not see his duty as see mine
drove Mary from home. l wish sh'
was here. wife; l wish she was here,
and his voice was broken with th'
I grief that was in it.
4 An hour later Mrs. Wayne, glancin;
1 out of window, saw two young peo
pie descending from a carriage. On
/. was Mary, the other her husband
t The old farmer was sleeping on tn
: lounge in the living room and did no
p hear the cry of joyous reunion sh
+ made as Mrs. Wayne ran down tn
d path to droop, weeping, in the youn
r arms of her daughter.
n "John would come, mother, and Fv
wanted to. oh. so much" she said.
, I'm so glad. Mary. Pa has forgive
: YOU. | think. from something he sal
to Mr.. Mott.
= Call him John, mother" said Mar
J. gently. s.
II Mother" said Mott, '9et me be
l. sou to you,r and he kissed her writ
e kled cheek.
e Fathers asleep in the sitting room
Pr began Mrs. Wayne as they el
+ tered the house.
II NO, mother Come up to my ol
J room. John will see father, and "
something to tell you,' and Mrs. Mo
0. led the elder woman upstairs.
1t The farmer was awake when Mo
n entered.
r Mr. Wayne. Mary and have con
he to ask YOU he started.
There. there, boy Let's forg
TO what l said Times have changed.
is Mary could love you l know you are
II good man. Make her happy-you'll {
ID that?" and his hand went out to b
III son-in-law.
Il will, sir, 1 WILL fervently Mo
r replied.
IS \ moment later Mary and her mot
q er came into the room. Mrs. Wayi
Id was crying quietly as though her gri
iy was not great.
le "Siah," she said, heres our Thani
OF giving"
what, Martha? 2" he asked.
m MARY and John have paid the mol
ed gage and she took the paper fro
IL her bosom.
H. Farmer Wayne slipped to his knee
w resting his wrinkled forehead on
IS. hand calloused by honest toll.
lie Dear Lord, we thank thee" he
Sc gan, and while he spoke with God t
(COptinneI on page Ten.l