The Mathews journal. (Mathews C.H. [Court House]) 1903-1937, 1911-06-08
-, Very we'll" she said tOnelessly

80. very wen, she said tonelessly.
but II will do no good"
Then they entered the house to
gether. For while they sat befor,
the nre I'm the beautiful library. and
then Mr.. Brand came in from the
FAMILY sitting room and greeted
steven warmly enough. He liked hi,
future son-in-law, despite his disap
pointment about Austin.
Steve calmly asked to see him and
Mrs. Brand a moment and the two
men went to join that Formidable
lady where her husband had left her
Alcie, refusing to be present at the
interview, sat alone before the fire.
In what seemed ages, but probably
less than an hour, the young man re-
turned, 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 as she
looked questioningly up at him from
her big chair.
NOW, Alcie, 1 have only you to ap-
peal TO. l think your father sees the
justice of my plea, but he dares not
openly attack your mothers attitude
she wants-all sorts of things. me
to be surer Of myself and to make
more money; you to have more time
more society-more clothes. even. and
to be further sure of yourself! She
did not give one real, true, sincere
reason
Since she is your mother, will
not say more, save that she did not
deny it when 1 openly accused her
OF wanting to separate us for a time
and to get you with Tom Austin for
whole season"
"Dear-you need never fear my
changing! and at the pain in his
Idce she Jumped up and went to him,
clinging closely to him.
No" she said, lin my heart I do
not doubt you, but | want Won tn
marry me soon-before they go south
this winter. L 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 ia
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 could not-run away
-and Know the hopelessness of re-
Sistlng mother better than you. Dear.
IN AFRAID We will have TO wait ("
Inc man drew her to him and
kissed her, then he released her and
took his hat.
When you feel that you can marry
me?" '0N 'eIi
Yes" she said. 20, Steven. don't
take 1t like this will"
A month later the Brand house-
hold was packed and ready for travel
Maude, not visibly worse than her
usual delicacy Of health, was inn
patient to be gone. Mrs. Brand was
openly triumphant that Alcie had
made no trouble. Steve had been
10 the house very little and she flat
tered herself as TO her firmness.
me day OF departure arrived. Alcie
nad her trunks packed, and came to
the hasty breakfast already dressed
IN her new travelling suit ready for
the early train they were all to take
Inc girls eyes were very bright and
her race happy. But yesterday she
had Deen merely tractable and life
Tess. Her mother rejOiced, but not
for long.
After breakfast Alcie slipped from
the back door TO the nearest tele-
phone booth. She came hack finished
ana excited, but was ready with the
others when the motor came 10 take
them to the station.
AT the station Mrs. Brand got the
surprise Of her life. She saw Steve
whom she had expected. She hao
not, however, looked for Rt. Rev.
James Preston, nor two Of Steve's
best friends. There was much chat
and when the train was in sight
Alcie suddenly took Steve's arm and
they walked up to that lady.
Mother" said Alcie, I'm not go
ing with you. l can't leave Steve.
l called him up from the drug store
and told him l would marry him at
the first church he would take me
to the minute you were gone. He
has the license. Goodby."
The astonished woman was begin
ming to hunt for words, when her hus-
band took her by the arm.
Come" re said. You must come
aboard-Maude's alone there. Alcie
is perfectly right. You go on and /
will follow you on the next train
after l see this daughter of ours safe
ly married. They are starting on a
trip this afternoon. Come, Nary"