The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1910-10-12
MAKING HIM WAIT
BY JOANNA SINGLE.

Then for moment he walked on beside her
..Aleie" he said at length, and quite suddenly, Il
to tell me frankly why It is that though you
have let know YOU do for me, though you
have at least tacy promised to marry me- you Keep
me at such m @ rapea nn to remind
him that her slight figure was vers, very close TO
him.
What mean Alce. is that you always seem to-
keep something back. You Will begin eagerly to say
said straight out and heartily, love YOU
Steven; and then you Will almost fly to meet me
on the instant What is it-are you afraid me 2"
Again she the little half-nersous laugh. and
put her hand upon his arm.
"A baby would not be afraid of you, you nice, big
kind thing. you. What silly idea. And Of course
Ven s then SD dolove YOU steve Her tone was
low but sure But I've known you only six months
and that's very short time
And time has nothing on earth in heaven
to do with loving" he submitted patiently i never
lived until / met You and love began life for me-
And Tor YOU. you've known Tom Austin since you
Mere an infant, and YOU don't love him trust
mother do. Why drag poor. defeated Tom into an
otherwise interesting conversation? And do
sive and explosiye-~and responsive. ana that-reai
love makes haste slowly"
mentt" the young man said wrathfuy. What else ??
Well she says should be perfeetly--sore Of my
More rubbish and not Of the slightest impor-
tance, SO long as am sure Of YOU You don't have
be sure anything but just me. and of my love
for YOU Alcie~~do You hear
She nodded her head. for words would not
answer the yearning in his voice.
The had been spending the evening with mu-
tual friends and We're walking slowly back to the
girls home. both reluctant to indoors, the man
ioath to let her out Of his sight Some way. he
could say how. she seemed to be slipping from
him. desperate sort Of impotence to hold her
came over him and deep in his heart ne was AFRAID
force and nsthent =, resistance Consented to
the engagement but the mother had skilfully made
it condition that they should not marry year.
at the very least Then Austin with all his money
his attractiveness Just in himself had gone
promptly to Florida to extensive intensive farming
lily had winter home there--and--well. it was too
much for Stevens fear and Jealousy
"Aleie" he said. When they almost to her
door, Il want you to marry me--now, mean, this
fall VIII YOU She gave a little
prise but before she could speak pressed his
claim In words that could not be denied straight
answer
Don't you child Just what we
waiting for / can give You a home and comfort
If not the luxury you are used to--that will come
leter--but don't you want to marry me-soon2' His
compelled reply.
Yes" she said. think / debut I'm 1T
can't be done-mother would be Wild You know she
stipulated for year, and We taeitly consented for
the sake of She think that Im--pretty young :
You're pretty and young-further reasons for my
wanting to have you all TO myself Waiting can
make me love YOU more nope II couia not make
YOU love less. What's the use--or the real rea-
son behind it, Are you all going South this win
Well was just wondering j would tell YOU.
You see, Maude Is not quite as well az usual SO they
have decided to-day to leave IN october instead OF
waiting until January usual. II can't seem 10 be
for her. it seems OF course nobody really needs
when you can, step without walking on nurse
/
cry and take on and father depends me help
keep the peace. l don't see'-she hesitated they
the porch, and he spoke.
We'll shan probably net cry take but
need you. and you are mine. and my claim Is be-
now. you really considered my loneliness.
position during this entirely unnecessary waiting
different. But they do not need You do l shap
speak aho't IT to your parents to-night
Very WE'LL" she said tonelessly but it will do no
Then they entered the together. For a
/ hnsnr thaG tn tho h4a f1 Hbror
and then Mr.. Brand came in from the family sitting
and greeted Steven warmly enough He liked
his future son-n-aw, despite his disappointment
steve calmly asked to see him and Mrs Brand
a moment the went to Join that formi-
dable lady where her husband had left her. Aeie.
refusing be present the interview, sat alone be-
| the fire.
| In what seemed aged. but probably less than
an hour the young man returned ms race SET ana
on mantel looking down at the soft beauty of
the girl she looked auestioningly up at him from
her big chair.
| Now, Alcie have only you appeal think
you father sees the justice of my plea he dares
not openly attack your attitude She wants
all OF things me- to be surer OF myself
and to make money you to have time.
more socety--more clothes even. to be further
sure of yourself She did not give one real, true,
say more, that she did deny it when openly
accused her of wanting to separate us for time and
to get you with Tom Austin for whole season"
"Dear-you need never fear my changing and at
the pain in his face she jumped up and went to him.
clinging closely to him But where once he would
gladly have embodied her he now held her of.
NO" he said. lin my heart do not doubt you,
but | want you to marry me soon--before they go
South this winter. ! appeal to you! have no home
now. mother being gone to my sisters until make
for Alce. your mother would not even :
definitely to next June--or even to September
a whole year! What are YOU going to do? viii you
with her-or with me "
my heart Is with you," she said softly butt
could not--run away-and I know the hopelessness
resisting mother better than you. Dear. m afraid
will have to wait"
The drew her to him and kissed her. then
he released her. and took his hat.
J When you feel that you marry me-" he said
quietly will you tell me9'
Yes" she said oh Steve. don't take 1t like this
I will"
A month later the Brand household packed
and ready for travel Maude, visibly than
her usual delicacy and health. impatient be
gone Mrs. Brand was openly triumphant that Alce
had made trouble. Steve had been the house
very little. and she attered herself to her firm
The day of departure arrived Alcie had her
trunks packed and to the hasty breakfast
already dressed in her travelling suit ready for
| and han Al