Atlanta Georgian. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1912-1939, 1913-07-10
One Woman S
Story
By Virginia T. Van De Water

herself Mary Danforth did not
know what instinct kept her from
mentioning to her parents her en-
counter with Gordon Craig in the
subway train. That is, she did
not tell them that she knew the
name Of the man whose pocket had
been picked. She mentioned cas-
uslly that she had seen through the
window Of her car thief remove
purse from a pocket Of another
passenger on a local train and that
she had vainly tried to attract the
victims attention to the theft.
How strange that you should have
seen it, and that the other people did
not" remarked Mrs, Danforth. You
have quick eyes, my dear"
Mary laughed They were not as
quick as the pickpocket's fingers"
she said lightly.
People ought to be careful how
they carry their valuabies," remark
ed her father sententiously. New
Workers should know enough to be on
the lookout for thieves. Yet every
few days you read in the papers OF
some careless chap who has been
robbed"
The Discussion Ends.
There the discussion ended. Mary
did not think II necessary TO tell her
father that the man Of whom she
had spoken was not New Yorker.
She was quite sure that Craig him
self would not speak Of the incident
to her father, even should he present
the letter Of introduction Of which
he had told her. She wondered when
he would present this, and II her ia
there would mention the stranger to
her Why should he? There were
dozens OF business acquaintance
whom he met weekly and whose
names she did not even know He was
man who did not bring the Office
and its concerns into his home She
almost wished that she had told a
part Of it, Il was too late now to
do so. Once she made an effort to
bring the conversation back to the
incident, then appreciated with EN-
barrassment that were she now TO
give an accurate account of the en-
counter her parents would think II
strange that she had not done so
before, So she turned the talk again
into other channels
Dinner over, she asked to be ex-
Cused, explaining that she must
cram for examinations.
Must you work late to-night?"
queried her mother sympathetically.
I think II is a shame the way in
which you girls have 20 work to get
through the High School. Now when
! was young"
Yes. yes. mother. I know" in
terrupted Mary with more asperity
than was habitual with her She
was still weary and nervous but as
she saw the shade Of wounded feel
ing that swept across her mothers
face she regretted her sharp speech
and, STOPPING swiftly kissed the
pale cheek.
Forgive me for being so cross
mother she said gently. 81 am
hot and tired and, / fear. bit
grouchy"
That's all right Mary" said her
father good nHturedly Your mother
and ] understand. and We are proud
OF the way you have worked In
spite of the fact that High School
studies are a bit strenuous, your
find that the training has been ID
fine thing for you later IN life II you
ever have to face the world alone.
But ] hope YOU won't have to-" he
added hastily.
His eyes dwelt happily on the
graceful girl before him, She was
an only child, and her father always
said that she was the best daughter
that any couple ever had. He had
insisted that she take a course Of
study that would enable ner to sup
port herself II necessary Every wo-
man ought to have some way Of earn
ing her own living he had declared
Mary reminded him Of II tonight
smilingly.
m Going TO Insist.
We'll. dad" she leased. you say
you hope I will never have TO sup
port myself, and yet I am almost
ready TO consider myself a compe-
tent secretary, stenograpfer and
typewriter Then what are you GO
ing TO do with me II ! do not take q
position2'
Il am going 70 insist that YOU
keep in practice. but YOU shall nos
go to work as long as I 1--WE l want
You at home with mother and me-
When / die IL VIII be time enough
for you TO hustle"
Il pray that won't be for years 10
come said the daughter. as she ran
her fingers CaressinEly through his
gray hair Not because I am afraid
OF Nhl uut btNdAHE we IctQ anu
love YOU mother and l.
John Danforth looked fondly at his
daughter We'll" he said with "a
tender smile, I've lived right up to
my income so far and now ! want
TO be spared long enough 20 lay aside
something for you twO-rur no man
ever had a better wife ana daughter"
Mary studied late that night As
she fell asleep she smiled tenderly
as her memory recalled the express
sion Of pride with which her father
had made this speech.
Dear old dad" she murmure6
dTowsly y love TO see that look OK
his face
Perhaps a sudden change in the
weather, making the air airy and cool
caused life TO seem brighter 10 Mary
Danforth the following cay for she
returned from school in a happy and
hopeful frame Of mind. Her mother
came TO her room late N the after
noon with the news that her father
had Just telephoned tnat he was
bringing business acquaintance
home for the evening"
He says he's a stranger here,
added the mother, and as he's
bit lonesome father asked him M
To dine He did not tell me his
name"
The girl felt a wave OF coior sweep
the roots Of her hair. and she
ned away hastily 10 hide IL.
-H.a Nr-fnH h. -