The Appeal., 1910-11-12

Making g Him Wait
By JOANNA SINGLE

'sociated Literary Press
Alcie. I need my wife, and l need her
now! Have you ever really considered
my loneliness, my position during this
entirely unnecessary waiting? If there
was any real reason for it it would be
different. But they do not need you.
l do. shall speak about it to your
parents tonight" H.>
Very we'll" she said, tonelessly, "but
1t will do no good
Then they entered the house toge:h.
er. For while they sat before the
hre in the beautiful library, and then
Mr. Brand came in from the family
sitting room and greeted Steven
warmly enough. He liked his future
son-ln-law, despite his disappointment
about Austin.
Steve calmly asked to see him and
Mrs. Brand a moment and the two
men went to join that formidable lady
"here her husband had left her. AL
cle' refusing to be present at the inter
view, sat alone before the fire.
IN what seemed ages, but was prob
ably less than an hour the young man
returned, his face set and stern, his
manner cold. He stepped over and
leaned on the mantel. looking down at
the soft beauty of the. girl
Now, Alice, l have only you to ap-
peal to-. I think your father sees the
justice of my plea, but he dares not
openly attack your mothers attitude.
Sne wants-an sorts of things; me, to
se surer of myself-and to make more
money; you to have more time. more
society, more clothes, even, and to be
1urther sure of yourself! She did not
give one true, sincere reason. Since
she Is your mother, I will not say
more, save that she did not deny it
when | openly accused her of wanting
to separate us for a time and to get
you with Tom Austin for a whole sea,
SON.
"Dear-you need never feaer my
changing!' and at the pain in his face
she jumped up and went to him, cling
ing closely to- him. But where orce
he would gladly have EMBODIED her, he
now held her off.
NO." he said, "in my heaert I do
not doubt you, but I want you to
marry me soon-before they go south
this winter. I appeal to you! 1 have
no home now, mother being gone to
my sisters, until you make one for
me. Alcie, your mother would not
even consent definitely to next June
or even to September-a whole year {!
What are you going to do? Will you
stand with her-or with me-"
my heart is with you," she said,
softly, "but-1 could not-run away
and I know the hopelessness of resist
ing mother better than you. Dear, I'm
afraid we will have to wait"
The man drew her to him and
kissed her, then he released her, and
took his hat.
'When you feel that you can marry
me-" he. said. quietly, will you tell
me?"
"Yes," she said. "Oh, Steve. don't
take it like this-I will"
A month later the brand household
was packed and ready for travel
Maude, not visibly worse than her
usual delicacy of health, was i1npa.
tient to be gone. Mrs. Brand was open.
ly triumphant that Alcie had made
no trouble. Steve had been in the
house very little, and she flattered
herself as to her firmness.
The day Of departure arrived. AL.
Gle had her trunks packed, and came
to the hasty breakfast already for
the early train they were all to take
The girls eyes were very bright anad
her face happy. But yesterday she
had been merely tractable and life
less Her mother rejoiced, but no.
for long.
After breakfast Alcie stepped fror
the back door to the nearest telephon'
booth. She came back flushed an
excited, but was ready with the other
when the motor came to take them t
the station. At the station Mrs. Bran
got the surprise of her life. She sa'
Steve-whom she had expected. ST.
had not, however, looked for tn
Right Rev. James Preston, nor two Q
Steve's best friends. There was muc'
chat, and when the train was In sige
Alcie suddenly took Steve's arm an
they walked up to that lady.
Mother" said A1cie, 'Tm not go1r
with you. can't leave Steve.
called him up from the drug store ar
told him I would marry him at II
first church he would take me to II
minute you we're gone. He has the
cense. Goodby."
The astonished woman was begi
ming to hunt for words, when her hu
band took her by the arm.
Come" he said. "You must &c
aboard-Maude's alone there. Alci
is perfectly right. I sanction this
You go on and will follow you on tt
next train after 1 see this daughtf
of ours safely married. They are star
ing on a trip this afternoon. Com
Mary!"
For once Mrs. Brand dared not Qpe
ton her husbands authority.