The Lamar register., 1912-05-08
HIS NEPHEW'S
BRIDE
b. DOROTHY DOUGLAS

OF lighting his cigar. Some one wal
shipping branches from the bush Of
bridal wreath behind tho summer
house. Granger was q philanthro
pist and 1t was distasteful to him te
think that anyone would steal what
he would willingly have given
He arose cautiouslys from the ham
mock and peered through the vines
Surprise checked the stern re-
buke that would have sprung from
his lips. He went softly around un.
til his huge frame filled the grape
hung doorway.
Come here!" His voice was toned
to a soft command.
The girl turned a startled head and
clutched the small cluster Of bridal
wreath spasmodically to her breast.
She stood poised as II for flight.
Come here-pleasei" Changers
voice again commanded.
She came slowly toward him. Her
great gray eyes set in a wan little
face held to his as II they fam would
drag pardon from him.
"Sit down." he said. when she was
within the summer house. He knew
that her knees were trembling and
he held forth wide low chair. She
slipped down among the cushions
still keeping her big eyes on him.
Il would have given you all the
II didn't know how to ask you
for some" the girl faltered. She
went on swiftly. Il am going to be
NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. Just could
nt-without few flowers"
Granger repressed his amusement
He had supposed the girl to be not
more than fifteen at the outside.
How old are you. childr' he
asked her.
Twenty" she said simply. II
haven't any hairpins-for my hair:
that's why look 20 young"
Granger looked closely at her. She
certainly did look young with those
coppery curls shimmering down the
nape Of her neck
~Are you very much IN love With
The man to whom you are giving
yourselff-
Now that the nervousness had left
her Granger sat down beside her.
She hesitated ana . faint color
stained hsr skin.
Il care for him-yes." she said.
hut I am marrying mostly because
II seems ~ II / couldn't live among
those people any longer"
Upon questioning her Granger
learned that the woman with whom
ah> A.>A haA t.Lau ~. L. .A<>.
wreck on the railroad. The child
had been miraculously saved and
had grown up without affection or
care among the lower classes Of the
village
Tom says I can have q new dress
-aftsr We are married." the girl
said with q wistful glance at the rag
ged frock.
Toni Tom whor demanded
Tom Anson-hs drives . grocery
wagon"
Granger had scarcely heard; he
waa thinking. This young girl with
her trusting eyes was far too young
to have her confidence IN men shat
tered. without running her trust ne
must in some way prevent her throw
Ing her lot with that Of q man such
- Arson and yet preserve for her
an unmarried vision into the world
Can you cook and mend and do
all the things required Of q poor
mans wifef''. he asked finally.
Her startled eyes brought a smile
TO Changers lips
I can't do anything like that I
shiver all the time am washing
dishes and can't stand DRIFT
makes me squirm!"
Granger again plunged into thought
Here was a startling example Of a
soul struggling against the sordid
things Of life yet powerless and drift
ing with the murky current
Granger absorbed himself in con-
temptation Of her while she closed
Dor eyes in momentary fatigue.
There was rs0nemsnt In her voice,
in her eyes and IN her lips The
hopeless little gestures with which
she had punctuated her story of
life had In them the grace of culture.
"Madge," he used her name that
ne might keep her at her ease, 81
am going to order tea and while we
are having It have q proposition to
make to you" He rang the bell at
his side and when his butler appear
Cd Granger ordered a tea that would
most appeal to 4 tired little wait.
Nor did the butler mention In the