Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1913-04-07

I Clu1lO0, Mary, 10 remarked, taking
the reinS and heading old Solomon to.
ward the shady road that led to Mary's
home. II wish to goodness you'd make
up your mind to It as q permanent
/ thing
| Mary flashed mockery at him. II
reckon you do" she exclaimed. ats
just like you. But there's no danger Of
its coming to pass. Mr.. Tom etrick.
land"
They were now well out Of the drow.
~ town Old Solomon trotted content.
eddy along under the leafy foliage that
arched his always welcome homeward
| way.
That's one reason I'd like to see
your father elected governor" contin.
ued Mary. chose Jefferson City girls
will soon teach you your proper place,
Tom Strickland, even though you are
the governors son."
I'm not the governors son yet,
Mary" responded Tom, an Intentional
meekness in his tone. "And even If
the time ever comes that 1 am, Jelrer-
son City will see mighty little Of me-
What do you mean?" asked Mary.
you'll certainly have to so. to the
state capital when Colonel and Mrs.
Strickland 60, won't your
Toms face took on an injured ex-
preston. II declare, Mary. he spoke,
you never seem to realize that I'm no
longer a boy. Please remember that
I'm a grown man now and that I've
| studied law and been admitted to prac-
tice at the Missouri bari"
Laughter cleaned in Mary's eyes.
"Well, Mr. Thomas Strickland, great
lawyer that you are" she Knocked,
what then?"
"Why. just this, that I intend to stay
right here in Nineveh," announced Tom
loftily. It's all settled too. I'm going
to be taken into partnership with my
father and old Judge Boiling, and then
can hold my fathers practice II he's
elected. Anyway. I'm to be partner.
Strickland, Boiling & Strickland that's
how the new sign will readv
Mary laughed outright. Goodness
me-. she cried Wont we be big
man then? oh, Tom, it'll be such fun
to hear you make speech in court!
Ahem-Gentlemen Of the jury
Shame on you, Mary Todhunterw
cried Tom, reddening boyishly. Its
just like you. though. You've poked
fun at me all your life"
II haven't either!' denied Mary in
stantly. I've only laughed at your
high and mighty ways now and then,
and you know It."
Toms angry eyes looked straight to
the front.
you had no right to say that about
me- continued Mary. "Ive been
mighty good to you"
up to certain point, yes" agreed
Tom. But just the minute get seri-
Gus about anything you begin laughing
at me-"
"Why, Tom, don't do anything of
the sort" protested Mary. II never
dreamed Of such thing! You can try
me this very minute and seew
CAN right, wilI"' spoke Tom quick
ly. "Mary. love you. want you to
promise to be my wife. Won't you?
I've loved you all my life!' >,
''Tom Strickland cried Mary. blush,
ing holly. You ought to be ashamed
Of yourself! You've got no right to say
that Just because-just because IL
was trying to be good to you!"
MARY" said Tom sturdily. eff you
don't know I've been in love with you
now I've told you, why-well, you've
got to give me an answer-and love
you so that I'm afraid to hear It: If
it's novel;, It'll break my heart, that's
all"
There was no answer to his pleading.
Mary had given him one startled look.
Then her eyes had softened and turned
away from his. 1t seemed to Tom that
she was crying
MARY" he said humbly. * didn't
mean to say anything to trouble you,
but l had to tell you some time or
other. I've loved you long, long
time. Is there any chance for me at
alp
Still there was no answer
II reckon I've been the blind one"
said Tom sadly. Il reckon you can't
care for me the way I care for you.
Yes, Mary, reckon it's me that's been
blindw
Eyes. Tom," replied Mary Todhunter,
"it's you that have been blind"
Tom bowed his head. II ought to
have seen that you didn't love me-" he
said. II ought to have seen it. Then
wouldn't have given you the pain of
having to tell me So"
Pm not going to tell YOU" said
Mary.
"All right, Mary" replied Tom. "l'n
take my answer without hurting you
m IN