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
been picked. She mentioned cas-
uaIly 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 70 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 n her ia
there would mention the stranger to
her. Why should he? There were
dozens Of business acquaintances
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
part Of II. II 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 il
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 p"
queTied her mother, sympatheticaIly.
Il think IL is a shame the way in
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 asperlty
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 80 cross.
mother" she said gently. q am
hot and tired, and, fear a bit
grouchy"
That's all right. Mary" said her
father good naturedly. Your mother
and I understand, and we are proud
Of the way you have worked. In
spite Of the fact that High School
studies are bit strenuous. youn
find that the training has been q
fine thing for You later IN life If YOU
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 10 sup
port herself If necessary, Every wo-
man ought TO have some way Of earn
ing her own living, he had declared
Mary reminded him Of II tonight
smiingly.
Il m Going to Insist.
Well, dad she leased you say
YOU hope will never have to sup
port myself, and yet 7 am almost
ready TO consider myself a compe-
tent secretary. stenogra pner and
typewriter. Then what are you go
ing TO do with me # / do not take a
position ."
u am going to insist that YOU
Keep in practice. but YOU shall no.
10 to work as long as | i've I want
Won 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 to
AtAiAts NhlA tue AdNA inter- AS Hle ran
her fingers careSsingly through his
gray hair Moi because I am afraid
Of workout because we need and
love you-mother and l.
John Danforth looked rondly AT his
daughter Well" he said with "a
tender smile. I've lived right up to
my income so far. and now ] want
to be spared long enough TO lay aside
something for you twO-ror no man
ever had a better wife ana daughter. "
Mary studied late that night; As
she fell asleep she smiled tenderlv
as her memory recalled the express
sion of pride with which her father
had made this speech
Dear old dad she murmured
drowsily I 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 10 Mary
Danforth the following gay. 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 Just telephoned tnat he was
bringing a business acquaintancy
home for the evening"
He says he's a stranger here. "
added the mother. and as he's a
bit lonesome. father asked him uu
10 dine He did not tell me his
name"
The eiTI felt A wave Of cofOr sweep