The Press., 1910-07-27

nounced today 1 saw her rather pre- l pairing those so elegant dishes we have
 thought she made. Of course l cannot
 marry her, but fear they will try to
 force this so unpleasant state on me. l Your motorbOat return from Miami
 Uncertain whether to laugh or join
 the O'Higgins lament Ingraham stood staring at the epistles. Then the thought of the girls sad eyes came to him.
 And NanonY' he asked somewhat awkwardly.
 Knows. and 1t will break her proud
 heart to see you all again. Oh, my poor little girl, to think brought this on you! And I thought ! was doing 1t for your good!' The old mans sobs broke out afresh.
 'Did she love this Despard so much, then?" Queried Ingraham.
 "No. nor' was the hasty answer.
 Lately I've come to think she didn't love him at all. but was doing 1t to please me. She knew wanted her to marry a Frenchman and thought this was her only chance. You know, my poor Nanon isn't exactly what might be called beautiful" he broke of deprecatingly.
 Ingraham's face broadened in a sup pressed smile, but the father went on,
 ''I have a confession to make to you, Mir. Ingraham," he said, something you should have known before, but Ma non said mustn't tell. The reason goes back a long time. Once I had everything wanted, and then 1t wouldn't have been necessary for me to do what I have to get a husband for Nanon. You boys maybe thought we didn't know what brought you here so much, but we did. 1t was the cook ing. Nanon knew, but she only laugh ed and let me have my way. Always she only had 1t In her mind to let me have my way and please me. But, to go back, after my wife died things went wrong, and I lost all I had. I had never been taught to work, so could do little, and there came a time when we didn't know where to get our next meal. Then came this chance down here. Nanon told me to accept it. But can't keep accounts I told her. Never mind,' said she: we'll fix that so they'll never know And she lid. On account of my lameness got permission to work here in the shack. Now, don't you see? She did the work, while kept the house and cooked.
 Cooking was the only thing could do, you see, but can cook. French cooking has always been my hobby, and learned from some of the best experts alive. Well, began to think Nanon ought to get married, for wanted some little children about in my old age. She never attracted men, though, if they knew how beautiful her heart and mind are, Instead of looking at the face I would not have had to plan scheme for getting attention for her. I thought if man really got to know her it wouldn't matter about the means. But I've failed, you see," he finished, "and that's all. I've disgraced my child. and we'll have to start all over again somewhere else.''
 ''Where is the girl?" asked lngraham sOberly O'Higgins nodded at the pines
 Seated on dead tree trunk he found the girl, her somber eyes gazing out through the vista of pine trees into the patch of opal sea beyond
 "NanOn," he said, offering his hand, "I've come to see if there isn't some thing can say-something can do''-
 What is there to be said?' she am swered, ruefully smiling. "Only-OnIy please don't say you'll bring him back"
 ''Then you don't love- didn't love-
 'I love my father" she said simply. "And he wanted me to marry"
 As the man looked down into the deep eyes that told so much of self sacrifice and love, that would have made her even sacrifice her life to give an old man passing happiness, the slow dawn of comprehension broke over him, comprehension Of what it meant to know a woman who knew only one law-the law of devotion. He had never been a man Of impulse. but as Ingraham gazed at her the one that came to him was needed.
 '"There are other men to marry, Na- non," he said, looking her squareIy in the eyes. The girl winced a bit. but replied:
 ''It cannot be that you, too, are looking for a cook?"
 ''I'm looking for woman" he said, land think I've found her. won't ask you to answer me now" he went on hurriedly ''I have only found my self that love you. and the sensa- lion is so wonderful that !. too, must have time to think of 1t. But you will think of me little, won't you?''
 The girl put out her hand as glad light fitted in the somber eyes through their wondering.
 lsI think I've always done that" she said.