The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1912-02-27
BY JEROME sTRAGUE.
Copyright, 1912. by the Associates

((opNrlknt, 49,, ny Auc <hc>7'~AN>N~
Literary Press.)
AZ want you to understand" said
Mr.. Iverson. irritably. that l can
afford it, Times are bad---very bad -
and you've got enough to wear. When
your mother was young she didn
expect such things-young people
wern't pampered then
lie fiicked crumb from his Goa!
as he finished his harangue, ana
went out OF the dining room.
Mother" demanded the three sis
tiers, explosively. as their father lett,
mother. does he really mean that
we can. go
'Iie says that you cla't have ht "
dresses" said Mrs Iverson, depre-
catingly.
And we can't go in our old rags.
famed Gloria. 1T isn't just on our
own account, mother. that We hate
tits because Of what people say.
yesterday We heard man muir
muir. The miser's BROOD as we
passed." cried Beverly. who was the
beauty.
"Oh. don't" Beth ~expostulated, az
she saw the lines grow deeper In her
mothers face. Mother cant help
it,
II know" Beverly WAS repentant
at once. Il know, but II father only
realized
You cant make him, dear. by hard
words" said Mrs. Iverson, gently,
"He ts--so--changed. His heart Is
tender underneath the shell---but he
seems to have hardened since he
made his fortune--I wish there was
some way to wake him up
There is a way said Gloria sud
denly. then stopped as they cried
eagerly, What "
I've got to think II out" was all
she would say when they pressed her
for an answer.
Three days later. Mr.. Iverson was
paid a generous dividend on what
had promised to be a losing invest
ment.
He carried box of candy home to
his Invalid wife. 1t was cheap candy.
but Mrs. Ivcrson rejoiced. Hes
really coming into his own again, =
she said to Gloria. You should have
known him when ne was young. my
dcaf.''
Gloria kissed her tenderly. HE
must have been nice to have won
you. dearest" she said, but when she
went upstairs to her sisters she re-
for the candy by the sacrifice OF one
vegetable for tomorrow's dinner"
But they were not called upon for
such sacrifice, for Mr.. Iverson
made out the usual market list. and
essn added ssss extra salad by way
Of lnAury
Beth was so touched by this un-
usual act OF thoughifulness that she
begged Gloria to desist from the plan
which that determined young lady
had relentlessly formed
1T may have dreadful effect on
father" she said.
Don't YOU worry said Gloria.
hes got to be walked up, as mother
calls 1t, and l am going to do II
finally and effactually.., ,4e.
The occasion for which the girls
had needed new gowns was the an
nual diner given for the benefit OF
the towns free library Here were
eathered together all Of the promi-
nent citizens, and here came the rich
philanthropist from the city with
whom Mr.. Iverson loved to meet and
discuss financial matters with the
hope of clew which might bring
more dollars.
He cared little what his daughters
wore. for no one noticed them at
least no one In whom he was interest
ed. Their old gowns were surely good
enough for the people OF the town.
But Gloria and Beverly and Beth
loved pretty things, not only for their
own sake. but because Of the three
men who had woocd and won them.
When Gloria told her plan to her
lover, he was doubtful OF its success.
You'll only hurt yourself. dearest"
he said. "and you won't cure your
father, and what do We want with his
money. anyhow
II wish he'd lose every cent OF It,"
said Gloria. passionately. He boards
It and boards It. and doesn't do one
good or beautiful thing with It. He
isn't even making mother happy--and
It hurts me to, Sc her disappointed In
him.
Beverly crept into Gloria's room on
the night before tho annual dinner.
I'm afraid, Gloria" she whispered.
I'm afraid won't have the courage
to 20 through with IT,
But Beth was NOT afartd. Gho. like
Gloria. was sustained by the thoug4ht