Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1913-06-24
81. there any chance for mo at aII7

"Is there any chance for mo at aIl~
sight better than | did when asked
for Mrs. Todhunter. That sure was a
terrible experience"
But the next moment his face was
grave. He laid his hand on young
Stricklands shoulder.
TON. my boy" he said, I'D rather
give Mary to you than to any other
man In the world. and you ought to
ha' known It without my tellin' you.
I've known you and liked you all the
time you've been CROWN up. and !
love your father like he was my own
brother. | am glad you and Mary
have got 1t all settled. and I'm sure
Mrs. Tudhunter thinks as much Of you
rs do. God bless you and Mary both.
my boy"
There was a sudden break In the
rolonel's voice. Its up to you and
Mary to arrange all the rest Of 1t.
young man" he spoke again after a
little pause Then. with a whimsical
smile: "And all OF your troubles are
ahead of you both May the good Lord
have mercy on your souls"
A splendid gratitude shone In Toms
eyes. "All I've got to say is this, Colo
mel Todhunter," he said, God helping
me. I'll make Mary the best husband in
the world"
You'll need the Good Marsters help
considerable, too, my boy" responded
Colonel Todhunter quizzically. "And
cont bank on bein too blamed success
full in that there undertaken. sub. Be
in good husband amt no sinecure,
not by long shot It's the biggest con
tract YOU ever undertook. and you've
got to keep hammerin' away at 1t ey'ry
minute. sub It's enough to skeer
man to death. Tom, If 1t want for one
thing-bein' good husband means
havin' happy wife. and that's the I'm
est thing OH Gods green footstool. You
Just live up to that great truth. Tom.
and it's all III ask of you
"You won't have to ask more than
once, Colonel Todhunter." replied Tom
feryently. "Tll think Of nothing but
Mary's happiness all my life. sir. And
that'll mean mine. too; were going TO
be the happiest couple in all the world
colonel"
Now that's where you slip up again,
Tom." said Colonel Todhunter Mar
ried life amt just one long dream oil
unalloyed bliss, not by Jugful, sun
You got to take 1t as 1t comes. the bad
with the GOOD. and sometimes 1t may
look like the good amt as plentiful as
II might be. but that's percisely when
YOU got to sit tight and watch and pray
for a change o. luck. And mans wife
amt no chronic angel; young man. no
morent a wOman's husband Is. You
be powerful lucky If Mary makes you
as good wife as her mothers made
me. but. all the same, I've seen days
when Mrs. Todhunter looked more like
Il destroyin' cyclone to me than any
thing else. And she can tell hundred
Shortcomings OH me where | can tell
YOU one on her, SO there you are. sub.
It's give and take. that's what 1t Is.
and you Just got to do your best. keep
on whistlin' for cheerfulness' sake and
stand ready to make a quick duck II
things get too stormy, subj
Tom Strickland could not help but
laugh. We'll. colonel" he responded.
1T Mary and l are as happy as you
and Mrs. Todhunter I'll be more than
satisfied. And I'll try to make her a
good husband. promise you that"
II know you will, Tom" replied
Colonel Todhunter And ! know
Mary'll try to fill her part o the con-
tract the same way too"
The young mans gaze went nervous
ly past the door through which Mary
and her mother had vanished.
~ wonder where they are. colonelT
he ventured apprehensively. IL hope
there's nothing serious happening"
Colonel Todhunter tugged at his griz'
zled mustache to keep from smiling
openly in Toms face.
Don't you worry none about Mar!
and her mother. suh." he spoke.
They're Just havin' heart to heart
talk OH the all absorbin' subject OF
marriage. Tom, and they got to have
good cry while it's goin' on. | bet
they've already shed enough briny
tears to float battleshlp. sub. That's
woman's way at such time as this
All mothers has got to wall over their
| daughters then like they was goin to
die stead o gettin married. But
| they're all right after that. sub. When
Mary and Mrs. Todhunter get through
and wipe each others weepin' eyes
they'll show up out here as serene as
summers day. ! reckon It's the
Good Marster's will-they got to do ii
that way. suh."
At this moment Mrs Todhunter ap-
peared In the doorway. She went
straight to Tom and put both hands
on his shoulders and kissed him on
the forehead.
God bless you and make both Of you
happy. Tom" she said. her voice trem'
bling "Mary loves you very dearly.
You've got to be good man. Tom.
for her sake. You will. too. won't
your"
Marys sweet face was now In Toms
view from where she stood In the
shadowy old hall behind her mother.
The young man bowed his head at
Mrs. TOdhunter's tremuous speech.
God helping me. will. Mrs Tod
hunter" he replied.
Something very like the dimming Of