The Washington herald., 1914-04-09
DAILY SHORT STORY.
ON COMMON GROUND.
ny MARY D. ARNoTT.

Father says I ought to marry a
man"
Charlie Biddle giared resentfully into
the mutinous gray eyes OF Betty saun-
ders. He turned sharply away. too in
dignant for words.
She spoke again with slightly con-
eiliatory tone In her soft contraltc voice.
IF you would only control your tenn
per and let me finish"
'Oh, fire awayr' he replied doggedly.
digging the toe Of his heavy motoring
boot into the soft spring sod. "You can't
say much worse than you have already
thrown iat me-
"Well-I was going to say that father
says I ought to marry a man with some
settled prospects in Iife-some-a tome
sort Of business, you know"
"Oh. he does. does he?' Charles tone
was acidulated enough to show Betty
that hir Indignation was genuine. II was
not the kind she was in the habit OF
dispelling with one of her usual coaxins
remarks.
She spoke more quick, as II desirous
of getting a painful scene over.
"Yes-some dignifed sort of business
81 see." Charlie bowed gravely. Betty
felt like weeping at her sweethearts un-
bending manner. II was his happy-so-
lucky disposition that had first captured
her fancy and later won the whole OF her
heart.
Yes" she continued, trying kravely
TO swallow her discontinue. father
thinks that a young nIsn ought to start
his career long before he. Is your age.
He does not even know whether ur not
you lean toward a profession or bust
ness"
Charlie gave utterance to an ejaculation
OF displeasure not in the least compli-
mentary to Betty's father.
You need not grunt out things against
my father that you are afraid to say TO
me- Betty fared at him with flashing
eyes. MY father is a successful man.
and he surely ought TO know something
about the characteristics that help to-
ward a young mans future"'
Did father say how old he was before
he made his mark
Not exactly, but he said he never
spent his time motoring and risking his
neck in flying machines"
"a jolly good reason why" he said
polntedIy.
The sarcasm in Charles tone madden
ed Betty. Perhaps her anger was directed
more at her father than her sweetheart.
but II was the latter who got IL.
Don't you dare insinuate anything
against my father" she flashed. ''Of
course. he was too poor to have the
luxuries you indulge in. but you would
not have them either II you had not in
herited the money for them. He SAYS the
fast life you live. dashing through the
clouds and tearing like mad through
country lanes in your racing car. not
only is conducive TO bad morals but un-
fits you for domestic habits.
u see"
Charlie pondered a moment. then spoke
with deliberation that foretold the
coming Of something both unpleasant and
hard TO say-yet necessary.
''Since you have presented me with so
fragrant a bouquet from your fathers
mind ! will return the compliment by
giving you one from my mothers fertile
brain"
Betty glanced swiftly at him and met
his noncommittaI smile with a touch of
fear in her heart Charlie continued
evenly. though his effort to remain calm
brought a sullen whiteness to his face.
Betty was very dear TO him-the dearest
thing in the world.
You have several times questioned me
as to why my mother has never called
upon you
He paused as IL about 10 reIent. then
gathered fresh courage from the ele-
waited attitude Of Betty's little nose at
mention Of his mother.
My mother did not want to foster an
intimacy between us because she dis
approves heartily of you as a wife for
ne"
The direct and unexpected attack
quite took Betty's breath. She stam-
mercd II faint syllable. but her nose went
a few points higher. The beautiful.
priced solitaire on her finger was being
pulled OF slowly by her right hand.
Yes Charlie went on. my mother
is noted for her good sense and dis
elimination and has warned me against
the ultTa-modern girl. of which she con-
siders you a startling example
Il assure you," said Betty, with with
ering contempt. that your mother need
have no further fear from this quarter
Two bright spots burned in Betty's
cheeks, but in her heart were tears She
turned to go.
"Wait-there are still few blossoms to
add. Charley did not see the tears OF
vexation in his sweethearts eyes. Only
the haughtiness of her head appealed to
him.
II am not afraid to hear your opinion
OF me-" she told him defiantly.
You see." he went on serenely, my
mother. as well as your father is old
fashioned. She holds that any girl who
does nothing but spend her fathers
money on clothes to make herself look
like peacock. goes to tango teas and
the theater all the time and can, in all
probability, not boil an egg is no fitting
mate for a man who wants a happy
home"
THAT will do Betty interrupted an
grily. You may tell your mother for
me that l would not marry her son for
anything i'm the world. Here is your
ring. ! hope you will find a silly little
goose OF a girl who can do nothing but
darn socks and fry ham and eggs for
you,''
And ! hope you find a nice. sleek law
yer or dentist who thinks it dangerous
to step into touring car, and who will
come regularly for dinner and complain
II the biscuits are underdone. and the
pie unlike that which mother used to
maker Charlie flung back at her.
Il detest that kind Of a man." Betty
Informed him coolly, because she was on
the verge Of tears.
And Ioathe the kind of girl who
sits at home and darns.''
1T is exactly the kind your mother
wants for you." taunted Betty.
And the man is just the ideal your
father would select for you," returned
Charlie. He picked up the ring Betty
had put on the table. But let me tell
you. Betty; my mother is not going to
pick out the girl for me. ] love where
love. and 1 will marry to suit myself"
And L. Betty said trifie unsteadily.
will marry no man simply to please my
father ct can only love where my