The herald., 1913-09-04
AN ANSWERED
PR AVER
BY NJ. QUAD
Copyright 1918. by Associated Lit
erary Press.
By NJ. QUAD

on a very serious matter" began Mr.
GreGG's wife as they sat together one
evening
Mr. Gregg nodded and sighed He
was bored husband His wife had
serious subject to bring up every
week or two
"You know our Polly" queried the
wife in half doubtiug way.
Mr. Gregg was the father Of Polly
and ought TO he fairly well acquainted
with her lie nodded his head
"Poliy has another beau. and want
TO know what we are going TO do
about it."
81 can't do anything" slowly replied
the husband after moments thought.
but you can "
"What?"
You can butt in and crowd Polly
out and do the courting yourself. as
you have done with every other beau
she has had
Henry Gregg. may the Lord for
give you. for never can" walled the
wife as she covered her face with her
hands
But I'm right" be defended Sup
pose that when a young man called
here 10 see Polly went to the door to
shake hands with him and tell him
was glad to see him
suppose ! sat beside him in the
parlor for fifteen minutes limiting
around how nice it would be when he
and Polly were married"
Suppose | dngcd it nj him that
Polly was an angel and that he would
never have chance to marry an
other.
Henry Gregg. you are an unnatural
father, and I'll never speak another
word TO you on this matter If Polly
lives TO be ninety years old and never
marrieS it will be all your fault"
1t was common gossip that Mrs.
Gregg was so crazy to marry Polly off
that she was making fool OF herself.
No one had given her IA tip. and the
girl had heard nothing No one blam-
ed her. She was "a sweet. sensible girl
and didn't even realize that there was
too much mother and not enough Of
herself about the affairs.
Mrs Gregg had received bad set
back from her husband She felt that
he had uSurped a privilege as sacred
as the COW of India. daughters love
affairs and e matrimonial prospects
ought to be left entirely in a mothers
hands. The wife had said that she
wouldn't discuss the matter further
with her husband, and she meant to
keep her word. but she must talk to
somebody. She hardly dared trust
woman. but who then?
why. the minister OF my church, of
she replied after casting about
for day or two.
Are you in trouble. Sister Gregg"
asked the good man as she entered his
study with tears in her eyes.
Yves; great trouble"
Concerning your husband?"
Partly. He has come between me
and Polly"
Hem. How is that"
why. he says I'm to let her beaus
alone and that she is to manage her
own affairs. Did you ever hear the
hkeT
Her parsOn had heard all the gossip
about Mrs. Gregg butting 10. Parsons
IL, IN, thair or{c he.
as well as anybody else, but they don't
repeat the gossip.
How old is Polly?" was asked.
Going on twenty"
Hem. And she has another beau"
"Yes-Will Somers."
"And he calls ut the house?"
1.-TWO or three times a week"
II see. Young Mr.. Somers is highly
spoken Of"
Hes just as nice as can be. par
on"
But Mr.. Gregg objects to him."
"Oh. no. no.
Then | don't exactly understand"
why. want him TO know that I'm
lad he's counting Polly, and Mr. Gregg
avs I'll drive him away. He calls 1t
utting in"
Yes, believe I've heard the word
efOre. Sister Gregg. don't you think
oily is old enough to be courted?'
why, yes"
And to be courted the way other
iris are?"
Without me around?" was asked
The parson nodded his head.
"But-but want Mr.. Somers to
He'll know"
Then you won't advise me?"
Il never mix up with family matters
! can avoid IT,"
well" said the discouraged woman
3 she rose to go. IF you won't advise
lie shall at least hope you will pray
,r me-"
"Um!" replied the parson. leaving
lie matter very much in doubt.
Three weeks later Mrs. Gregg fell on
] Icy sidewalk and broke a leg. After
couple Of weeks the pastor made a
III. as 1t was his duty to do. He l
und her mending and cheerful She
him with a smile and said:
Il have some news for you. Polly !
i'd Mr.. Somers are engaged t
'Ah. indeedr'
she told me this morning"
Happy to hear it."
And ! want to say how thankful I c