The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1913-04-13

at" said Willy dismaily. TITS just my
long arms. But he, he could do any
thing. I don't suppose TIL ever stop
missing him. He was the only boy
friend I ever had"
"But you have men friends now"
| she said, gently.
Yes" He sat up more erect in his
seat. You saw Mr.. Rivers. He's the
best ever"
i've heard about how good he is
and how gruff. That's the kind l like;
no nonsense about them. I hate sissy
men, don't you"
ton; he was diffidently searching his
inner consciousness as to whether he
himself had not been accused Of being
sissy. Sometimes a fellow seems a
| sissy when he isn't" he offered.
'Oh, often" she agreed heartily:
| but the man they want MORA to mar
ry is genuine mum, horrid, languid-
affected New Yorker who talks like a
guardsman and makes fun Of his own
country. Mora can't endure him; but
he offers to settle half million on her.
and we let Efie marry q captain of the
line who had only thousand a
year."
THAT was you" interrupted willy,
fervently. You did that. Oswald
told me-
mo. 1t was dad; he couldn't bear to
have Effie so unhappy when 1 told him
how she might go into a decline, she
felt so wretched. But, you see. having
let Fife do that and helping her out.
we couldn't afford any more detri-
mentals, although Jimmy's got his
colonelcy and the cross and they are
ever so happy. But we can't afford an
other love match. The bishop is dead
and Ellen hasn't very much; and Lord
Farley has a big family; he was
widower with five when Ellen mar
ried him, and they have two: and we
are so deadly poor. 1t is really neces-
sary, but it's awful. And I am sure
she cares lot for Reggy Sackville.
kind of cousin of ours, who is a bar
rister. and she is sure he will be a
Judge. he is so clever; but he couldn't
support a wife for years and years.
Don't you think it's really and truly
awful to have to marry anybody"
"AwfuI-intolerable," agreed Willy.
Il simply will not"
And YOUR father wants you"
She looked so sympathetic that Willy
broke right in:
Yes. / never seem able to do any
thing my father wants. I can't man
age men and make friends and run the
business as my brothers did. Now he
wants me to marry girl he has
picked out for me: and I've got to dis
appoint him again. / wrote him I'd
try to meet his wishes every other
way-Fd accept dinner invitations; I'd
learn the steel business: I could ride
and run an automobile, and had been
up in an airship, and I'd try to win
golf cup; and I'm taking bridge les
sons but-the hand of Douglas was
his own, you know"
II think that's splendid" cried the
girl heartily. "T don't want TO; but
maybe I shall have to, to save MORA"
Don't you do it"' he exclaimed. Tt
makes me sick to think Of their trying
to force you into such thing" He
did look moved.
Don't get into such a wax. They
can't force me-do I look like a per-
son to be forced?-and poor old daddy
of all people in the world! If you just
knew him; we're the greatest pals in
the world. But there's NORA If /
were TO marry some .one with lot OF
money, she could marry poor Reggy;
and MORA couldn't stand being I'M
happy near so well as / can"
who's the man?" growled Willy in a
tone of mingled gloom and fury.
II don't know his name" replied the
girl sadly. 1T was like this: Dad met
his father. and they became very
chummy, and they got to talking. He
talked about his son, who is nice fell
low with elegant tastes and doesn't like
business. Oh, I know, a perfectly odious
person"
"Odous.' Willy agreed morosely; "A
downright sissy, You'd be wretched.'
Yes" sighed Lady Jean; but MORA
would be wretched, because she would
always be thinking Of Reggy. And be-
grew more cheerful-"men
never fancy me; no doubt he'll think I'm
so shy 1 shall be hideously awkward"
You're nothing of the kind" Willy
Tits the most abomin-
able cold-blooded bargain-and-sale bust
ness, And your father told you"
"Oh, no, he didn't tell me. 1t was
Ellen She was so pleased; she never |
had any hopes OF me- don't you know: |
and now she says they won't need to
sacrifice MORA. But II the young man
doesn't want me, I shan't be to blame. |
Now tell me about your girl,''
There's nothing to tell. / never saw |
her. / don't know her name, even. Only |
she's got title; and she is very bril- |
liant and charming and modest. and I'll
be lucky. It's another case of parents |
buttng in. All he wants, he says, is for !
me to see her; l told him l should run |
away If l knew / were in the same
town, But never mind me- Don't worry, |