Aberdeen herald. [volume] (Aberdeen, Chehalis County, W.T.) 1886-1917, 1909-03-29

"Weel, Maggie, I'm willing" so am
I. John, but before you sign the con-
tract I've word to say. My brother
told you I'm twenty-five. Now. I'm,
oh, lots older! I'm twenty-seven. And
another thing, l wasn't run after No
body cared for me. I'm without
charm-just vulgar and uneducated-
but III do my best, John; I'll do my
best"
The brothers ask Maggie what Is
charm. Charm? OH" Can't you
hear how Maude Adams in her drawl-
Ing. cooling tones answers: Charms
the bloom on n woman. With 1t she
needs nothing, not even education.
Without 1t she has nothing"
That Maggie begins to mother John
Shand, who. by the way, is six years
younger than herself, is evident in the
way she makes him wrap the wooden
scarf about his neck when he's leav-
ing. And that she Is going to keep up
with him intellectually you understand
when she takes the book Johns been
reading to her room with her ito
know as much as he does" John
makes good and in five years Is re-
turned to parliamen as the "woman's
candidate" There Is an amusing side
play on the suffragette question which
has, however. little to do with the real
action. All these years John has been
true to his bargain and after his cleo
ton presents Maggie to his constitu-
F,,N
There Is very strong scene when
Maggie tears up the marriage contract
and tells John that he is free-free to
enjoy his life and to love as she
knows he is capable Of loving. She
urges him to see the humorous side Of
things. III l could only make you
laugh. john" she pleads. 1--WE heard
1t said that It takes surgical opera
ton to make Scotchman see a joke"
Is all the encouragement she gets.
And when he adds. But. then, Mag
gle, don't see how anything can be
inserted by a surgical operation" she
gives him up as hopeless and marries
him to keep him out Of danger.
In London they have a fine social
position, and by Maggie's finesse and
care for his political career. acting as
his secretary and inserting into
Johns strong, logical speeches dashes
Of humor that appeal to the house,
cabinet minister offers him n chance
of obtaining portfolio. When ac-
cused by her friends of helping her
husband she evades the insinuation by
saying: II help John! He wouldn't
let me-" When the cabinet position is
almost within John Stands reach he
spoils everything by announcing his
love for Lady Sibyl, pretty girl who
at the beginning Of his career called
him vulgar" and piqued him into
making her like and love him. Mag
gle overhears him telling Lady Sibyl
that she is the inspiration of his life
and on her own wedding anniversary
sees him give this girl a ruby pendant
intended as her gift and Of hearing
him say, This is drop Of my hearts
blood
Maggie is magnificent as John tells
her Of his love for Lady Sibyl, and as
he falters over the confession she re-
minds him of the time when he first
began to care for her.
There are no reproaches when he
and Lady Sibyl decide to leave Lon
don together. Maggie suggests in the
most dislnterested manner at this
point that John had better wait for
two weeks before leaving and in the
meanwhile prepare the speech that
will clinch the position. Even in this
crisis Maggie's influence dominates,
for John helplessly looks to her for ad-
vice. asking. Put where shall go?"
"Now for one Of Lady Sibyl's inspira-
tions," is Maggies very human rejoin-
der. But as the muse does not respond
Maggie suggests that he spend the
time ut house party In the country
to which the Stands and Lady Sibyl
have been invited. II will run down
for a day to see how you and Lady
Sibyl are getting on with the speech"
are her parting words to the man who
is breaking her heart. To herself she
croons, Hes my little boy, and I can
manage him." The speech Is not con-
vincing to the minister who is also a
guest at the house party. John and
Sibyl become heartily tired Of each
other, and 1t is only when Maggie ap-
pears with polished draft OF the
speech that she and John had planned
and in her diplomatic way has substi-
tuted for the first one that the cabinet
position is secured. John then realizes
what woman knows and does for the
man she loves, and Maggie's unselfish
devotion Of years Is repaid by his
heartfelt cry, THE Lord has been bet.
ter to me than l deserve" Maggie,
looking ut the humorous side Of life.
saves the tenseness Of the situation by
dropping on the floor at his feet and
laughingly looking up at her husband,
saying: "They say Eve was made from
one of Adams ribs, but she wasn't,
John. She's made from his funny
bone"
You poor, dear Elsa. how have
made you suffer by my overabundance
of Barrie-Adams enthusiasm. 1t hap
pens only once season, so please do
forgive selfish MABEL.
p. S.-There's not even room to tell
about ho ctrCnfpO uroon satin