Audubon County journal. (Exira, Iowa) 1884-1993, 1910-04-28
TOO Late"
By L. B. c. M.
l.. b. q. NJ.
$50 you won't marry me?"

$50 o won't marry me?"
Il do think it's a sin, Jack, for you
to insist, when you know this is my
first season, and I have looked for
ward to at least two years more of
freedom"
Very well, Dorothy, l won't say an
other word. 1 trust your seasons will
be bright, and l will endeavor to do
my best to make them So"
ooh, Jack, you are a dear! Well
not be sweethearts for some time;
We'll pretend we're only chums."
Dorothy Madden was considered the
prettiest girl in the state, tall and slen-
der, with laughing eyes, auburn curls
and a chin and mouth that we're the
envy of all the girls around.
Col. Madden had at one time been
prominent in politics, but after losing
his wife his health had failed and little
by little his immense fortune had dis
appeared. 1t was quite a blow to the
family when they found they had only
their home and afew thousands left.
Jack Churchill was the heir of his
uncle, Robert Vaughn, the Michigan
millionaire. and was much sought
after.
Two gay seasons had passed. Jack
did everything to make Dorothy have
a pleasant time. The many late eve
nings, dancing, ETC., began to show on
Dorothy; she was thinner, her eyes
failed to have the brilliancy that at
one time made them so beautiful. And
Jack had never in the entire two years
mentioned marriage to her.
Col. Madden, seeing the change in
his daughter. and knowing that Jack
had not been to him to ask for Doro-
thy. supposed she was %grieving. Call.
Ing his daughter to him one morning,
he said: Dorothy, does Jack seem to
be as attentive as ever, or have you
lost your heart to another and refused
the boy? You know. my dear, how
were situated. Margaret is old enough
to come out You were a year her
senior when you made your debut, and
1T isn't doing her justice. You must
make up your mind to marry, and give
your sister an opportunity. 1 cannot
keep two daughters in society,""
Father" said Dorothy, two years
ago Jack asked me to marry him; /
begged him to wait; l hated to settle
down; since then he has never men.
toned 1t, but l will try to look my
prettiest tonight and see what / a
do"
While Dorothy and her father were
talking in the library, Margaret was in
the summer house-but not alone!
Sweetheart, though you haven't
made your formal debut, you can mar.
ry me and Well tour the continent and
you'll have just as nice a time as any
of the debutantes."
1t was Jack who was pleading, and
the girl he wanted this time was rot
Dorothy, but her younger sister.
Well, Jack, dear" said Margaret.
guess you're right. Dad hasn't the
money to keep us both in society. and
Dorothy won't marry. Come, Wen "a
to the house and tell them the news
There was quite a contrast betwee1
the sisters; Dorothy, tall and fail
Margaret, petite and dark, with largo
gray eyes and the beautiful Madden
mouth.
Dorothy had just finished her tala
with her father, when the door sud.
denly opened and Jack and Margaret
hand in hand, stood in the doorway.
Father, Col. Madden called both
of them, we've come to tell YOU" con,
tinued Jack, we're going to be mar
ried."
Col. Madden tried to hide his u
prise, for he had thought it was Doro
thy, not his little Margaret, whom
Jack wanted.
Margaret" said her father, you
couldn't have looked the world over
and have pleased me better. Jack"
he continued, you can have her, but
remember, she is nothing but a child -
Dorothy. in the meanwhile, was try.
ing to control her feelings. 1t seemed
as if her heart would break, for she
loved Jack dearly.
We're to be married on my birth
day" said Margaret, which is two
months from to-day"
II am glad you have appointed an
early date" said Dorothy, for my ad.
vice to YOU is not to he foolish lilo i