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

so often does not understand
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
peen picked. She mentioned cas-
Tally that she had seen through the
window Of her car a thief remove
a 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 he careful how
they carry their valuahles." remark
ed her father sententiously. New
Workers should know enough 10 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 IL necessary to tell her
father that the man of whom she
had spoken was not "A New Yorker
She was quite sure that Craig him
self would not speak of the incident
60 her father. even should he present
the letter OF introduction Of which
he had told her. She wondered when
he would pS1sent this and ~ her IA
there would mention the stranger To
her. Why should hep There were
dozens Of business acquaintance
whom he mot weekly and whose
names she diCtnot even know He was
a man who MD not bring the Office
and its concerns into his home She
almost wished that she had told a
part of II. II was too late now To
do so. Once she made an effort tn
bring the conversation back to the /
incident. then appreciated with en-
barrassment thag were she now to F.
give an accurate. account Of the en- /
counter her parents would think Il .
strange that she had not done 80
before. So she turned the talk again .
into other channels
Dinner over, she asked To be eN-
cused explaining that she must
cram" for examinations
Must You work late to- night?"
queried her mother. sympathetiCauy
Il think IL is "A shame the way In
which you girls have to work to get .
through the High School Now, when
l was young -"
yes yes. mother, know" in .
terrupted Mary. with more asperitv I
Earraa1 hob VuHfa IA AHN.s
was sim 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 - am
hot and tired, and / fear. a DIT /
grouchy"
That's all right. Mary" said her
father good -naturedly Your mother /
and understand. and We are proud /
OF the way you have worked In /
spite Of the fact that High School /
studies are hit strenuous. you'll
find that the training mas been q
fine thing for you later IN life If you
ever have to face the word alone |
But I hope you won't have TO-" he
added hastily.
His eyes dwelt happily on the
grrcefii 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 her to SUP
port herself n necessary Every wo-
man ought 10 have some way Of earn
ing her own living, ne had declared
Mary reminded him of II tonight
smilingly
I'm Going to Insist. -
Well. dad" she teased. you Say
YOU hope I will never have 70 sup
port myself, and Yet I am almost
ready to consider myself a compe-
tent secretary stenogra pner and
typewriter Then what are you go
ing to 90 with me if l do not take
position
Il am going to insist that you
keep in practice but YOU shall nos
so to work as long as ! i've. ] want
yeu al home with mother and me
When | die ii win be time enough
for you TO hustle
Il pray that won't be for years to
come. said the daughter, as she ran
her fingers caressingly through his
gray hair. Not because I am afraid
Of workout because we need and
love you-mother and l.
John Danforth looked fondly at his
daughter We'll" he said with
tender smile, I've lived right up TO
my income so far. and now | want
10 be spared long enough TO lay aside
something for YOU two-ror no man
ever had better wife ana daughter
Mary studied late thar night. As
she fell asleep she smiled tenderly
as her memory recalled the EXPIRES
sion Of pride with which her father
had made this speech.
Dear old dad she murmured
drow silly y love TO see mat look on
his face"
Perhaps a sudden change IN the
weather. making the air uTy and cool
caused life TO seem brighter to Mary
Danforth the following Gay. for she
returned from school In happy ana
hopeful frame Of mind. Her motasr
came TO her room late IN the after
noon with the news that her father
had Just telephoned tuat he was
bringing a 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 un
70 dine. He did not tell me his
name
grsrr R.r+ .t.a,-. - .ogD~ r1tshap