The Washington herald., 1914-04-08
DAILY SHORT STORY.
MARRIAGE MAcHINE-MADE.
ny LOUISE oLNEY.
tcopyrisht, lsit.)

L ttoE9fAknts lsiLl
Richard Kemp sat talking to the girls
mother when Teresa ran in laughing and
too excited TO notice his presence.
Mother! What do you think? Sam
has a car. a beauty! I've never been
crazy about them. you know. nor mind
ed because father can't afford one yet,
but Sans Is a duck! He's whirled me
all over the country this afternoon. Look
at my hair. We're going again this
levening."
Teresa King put up both hands and
twisted back the curling brown hair that
was loosened by the wind to the falling
point Her mother smiled at her i'm
petuosity.
Glad you enjoyed II. daughter. But
don't turn your back on your guest ("
Mrs. Kings tone was dry. Teresa turned
quickly.
Richard Kemp. whoever knew you
| TO hide your light under a bushel even
long enough for me to finish raving about
anything? What are you doing here?''
Richard rose, rather short and fair,
with Irish eyes, and gave the girl the
grin that endeared him to many friends
Doing here? What I've been doing
since boyhood? Waiting round for you
I was going to ask you to walk to the
river with me tonight. but Sam seems to
nave cut III AnedQ OF me.
Has mother asked you to dinner, or
do have to invite your"
I'd about decided to stay without be-
Ing invited" he remarked, gracelessly,
sure of his welcome. but since you're
going out afterward-"
Stay, anyway. Go with US, Dicky." I"
Richard Kemp laughed.
I've some sense left! Sam would be
lovely to me and wish I were in-jail!
IL -
like a girl" he laughed again. II never
saw a girl yet that didn't want to hold
on to one man while she played with
another. I'll stay to dinner, but after
that I'm of, Miss Teresa King"
Richard Kemp, with his usual acute
ness, had hit the nail on the head. which
was proved in that gioriousi month of
May. The girl seemed to want both
men. Teresa had always wavered a bit
between him and Sam. giving him the
preference. But Sam plus the new dark
blue car was a dangerous combination.
Not that she was the sort to fall in love
with a man just for his car. but the car
gave the man limitless opportunities to
be with her. And propinquity Is danger
Gus. Richard Ybok to struggling his
shoulders a lot these days. and to being
very gay, much in the spirit Of the small
boy who whistles to keep from being
afraid. 1t began to seem as IL he al
most never got a talk or a tramp with
the girl as of old. and he missed her
more than he had known would be pos
sible.
With the missing came a fear of losing
his chance with her that put him at a
disadvantage because IL impaired his self
confidence. He felt that when he was
with her he was stiff. in spite of himself.
and little sore. Sam. always his friend.
was triumphant cheerfulness itself. Why
shouldn't he be. with the finest car and
the prettiest girl almost at his COM
mand7 Richard thought Sam was se-
cretly sorry for him. and this touched
his pride to the quick. Tessie's mother,
always Richards close friend. spoke out
to him one day when, as usual, he had
found Tessie gone motoring.
with Sam, / suppose?" he said,
shortly.
Yes, Dick" she said. quietly. rs my
girl making you unhappy? II she is,
I'm sorry"
Are they-engaged?, he asked like a
shot. TT wouldn't be like Tessie not
to tell me. first of anybody but you"
I'm sure they're not" she said, gently.
But what are you doing to prevent it,
II you really want herr
Heaven knows want her." he began
earnestly, then broke on.
Have you said anything to her about
1t. Dick? I mean lately?
Not since Christmas. She didn't know
her mind then. I suppose this'll be one
Of those machine-made marriages. Even
IL didn't want her myself, know that
Sam isn't the man for her.. Oh, he's not
bad. He's only a careless rich mans son
who has never learned self discipline. 1t
takes the discipline of having to earn
every cent you get to make a man ap-
preciate what money means It's all
can do not to take every dollar / own out
Of the bank and buy car. It's the
money 1 wanted to start housekeeping
with, you know He laughed in hurt
sort of way.
"I understand But you're right not
to- Mrs. King said.
without a car I can't get the girl.