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


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-
ually that she had seen through the
window of her car 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 II, 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 pickpockets fingers"
she said lightly.
People ought to be careful how
they carry their valuables," 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 a 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 IL. II was too late now to
do so. once she made an effort 10
bring the conversation back to the
incident, then appreciated with em-
barrassment that were she now to
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 10 be ex-
cused, explaining that she must
cram for examinations.
Must you work late tonight ."
queried her mother sympathetiCally
i think II is "A shame the way I'm
which you girls have to work to get
through the High School Now, when
! was young"
Yes, yes. mother, / know" in
terrupted Mary, with more asperity
than was hahitual 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
ana STOPPING swiftly kissed the
pale cheek
Forgive me for being so cross
mother she said gently. 81 am
hot and tired, and fear. a bit
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 a bit strenuous your
md that the training mas been a
fine thing for YOU later IN life II you
ever have 10 face the word alone.
But ! hope you won't have to" ne
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 her to SUD
port herself II necessary. Every wo- /
man ought 20 have some way OF earn /
ing her own living, he had declared /
Mary reminded him OF 1t tonight I
smilingls
I'm Going to Insist. "
We'll dad" she leased you say /
YOU hope ! will never have to sup
port myself, and yet l am almost /
ready to consider myself a compp-
tent secretary, SteuOgrapher and /
typewriter Then what are you go
Ing TO do with me II do not take a |
position %"
q am going to insist that YOU
keep in practice but you shall no: .
60 TO work . long as I i've. / want /
YOU at home with mother and me /
When / die II viii be time enough /
for you 10 hustle"
y pray that won't be for years 10 |
come said the daughter. as she ran |
her fingers CaressinEly through his 1
gray hair. Not because ! am afraid |
Of workout because We need ana |
love you-mOther and l.
John Danforth looked fondly at his /.
daughter Well" he said with u
tender smile. I've lived right up to
my income so far. and now I want |
to be spared long enough to lay aside /
something for you two-ror no man |
ever had a better wife and daughter" |
Mary studied late that night AS
she fell asleep she smiled tenderly /,
as her memory recalled the expires |
sion Of pride with when her father /
had made this speech.
Dear old dad" she murmured |
drow silly. y love TO see that look or !
his face"
Perhaps a sudden change in the !
weather. making the air cry and cool. |
caused life TO seem brighter to 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 IN the after
noon with the news that her father
had "tust telephoned tnat he was
bringing a business acquaintance
home for the evening"
He says he's a stranger here
added the mother. and as he's a
bit lonesome. father asked him uD
TO dine He did not tell me his
name"
The girl felt a wave OF color sweep
10 the roots Of her hair, and she
turned away hastily to hide II.
Perhaps il might be as well %
tell Norah 10 have a salad course
tonight. since dads bringing a
stranger home" she remarked cas-
ually and let's have the new china