The Detroit times. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1903-1920, 1914-03-09
By Vaughan Kester


question II he ,s in any way related
10 Mary. Still. We cannot doubt but
her welfare Is OF importance to him.
To tell you the truth, Dick. | Am not
too we'll satisfied with the situation,
for how do we know but abe IL greatly
injured by being hidden away here;
that someone else. say Captain Max
well himself, II not enjoying what
should be herr? | trust I am not one
10 set too high value on mere world
ly fortune, but worse things may hap
pen TO maid than riches and rank.
And indeed, he was q most unworld.
ly minded man. though he could talk
with fine show of practically when
the mood was OF him.
know not just how ii came about.
nor can | say either when the time
was. but gradually just one fear grew
up in my heart. and this fear was that
Mary would be taken from rs. AT first
Itold myself that were II Betty who
stood in Mars place my feelings
would be In all respects the same, but
after while knew that this was not
50. AS began to comprehend the
menace Of the situation | endeav0red
to comfort myself with the thought
that her friends must ere long forget
the very fact Of her existence. sought
also to reason myself into the belief
that had they any intention OF remov-
ing her from my fathers charge they
would have done 80 while she was yet
q child; and IS grew. toward man.
hood ! found IL desirable to cherish
this conviction for the hope TO be got
from IL.
Even to myself was slow to admit
the growth OF this feeling into love.
1t seemed such presumption on my
part, for she was SO far above me in
goodness and purity. II was my faith
er who first OWNED my secret, as
was to know when one day he called
me into his stud to 20 over certain
accounts, for he delighted to keep an
exact record Of all the transactions
on the farm: but when we had finish.
ed with our business and had risen
to leave him. he detained me.
I'D talk to you. Dick--so sit down.
lad" he said. motioning me TO my
chair again.
The expression on his face had be-
come grave all ut once. and fell TO
cudgelling my brain wondering what
had done that was amiss. for l was
sometimes out OF bounds.
IT'S q serious matter / have III
mind. Dick" he began, and l want
you to hear me out with patience for
your own sake
Somehow my mind fastened on the
true reason fof his sudden gravity.
and could feel the color come into
my face.
) Il am thinking about Mary, Dick.
he continued.
"Yesy said.
1T seems to me- that we must take
. peculiar care OF her, for she has un-
common beauty. and there are young
fellows about here who Will not be
long In finding 1t out After al,
though I know nothing OF him. either
for good or III. yet owe compliance
to what l would conceive to be Cap
tain Maxwell's wishes In all matters
affecting her. I feel toward Mary a.
my own child; still. we must not for
get that her being here has rested
from the hrst on another foundation
than affection. Now, | could wish Il
were not no." He sighed gently. This
brings me around to what l would say
to you, Dick. In all honor and fair
ness II must be our duty to see to IL
that she forms no foolish ties while
under our roof; Tor how can we fore
tell what unhappiness IL may bring to
her? For aught We know, she may
be much above us all In station, and
Captain Maxwell may already have
her disposal In marriage under con-
sideration. So honor demands that
we protect her from any error which
can only bring sorrow to her in tho
end"
He glanced across at me. His words
were bringing me TO the verge OF dis
pair: and what he said, my heart de-
MED. What was Captain Maxwell 70
US?
You see II as l see IL, Dicky' he
said, after a moments pause: but
still was silent He waited for me
10 answer him, but l could not trust
myself to speak. she could never
marry from under my roof unless the
match had Captain Maxwell's appro-
val Look well where you bestow
your heart, Dick, your happiness is
very dear to me-
His speech was grave and kind; II
could not but BE- moved by II, aud I |
would have given much to be able to
tell him that nis warning came too
late. but clung 10 my logged silence |
IS TO u refuge. lie Quilted his chair |
and came and stood close at my side, |
with his hand resting on my shoulder. !
rs all confidence dead between us. !
lad?' he asked gently.
mo" ! said. no. no, father-not |
that"
Dick, you care about the maid?"
! nodded, that was the only answer |
l could give him.
From my heart ! pity you. Dick. |
for | dare not think that il can ever
be-"
Why" | asked.
For the reasons | have given" ne
said: and burst cut with:
How do you know Captain Max
well will not be glad TO have her 80 |
disposed OF? no his actions shcw
that he has any plans for her beyond
keeping her hidden away here? After
all. she will either care for me. or not |
-as the case may be-
But you have not spoken TO her,
Dick7"
NO" | said.
Thank God for that. You must
think OF her as you think of Betty"
Il can't"
l"Oh, Dick--Dick." he said regret. !
fully. Il blame myself that did not |
speak OF this matter to you sooner"
To what end?" I asked.
ITO the end that you might have nut |