News and citizen. [volume] (Morrisville, Vt. ;) 1881-current, 1915-11-17

"Never put off till tomorrow the
money you can get today" said the
millionaire.
"Arent you proud I've been so sue
oessful? y said Mary presently,
proud. I'm so darned happy I'm
making this check out for $1,000
"Oh, Mr.. Martini" Mary CRIED quite
taken aback.
Its worth $4,000 to me to have my
boy really want to work. not just to do
| it to please me-" said the old man,
really moved beneath his gruff eXte-
rior "What a difference an incentive
makesr'
Doesn't it," said Mary, smiling at
her check.
"But what about your marriage?"
"He said he wouldn't marry me till
he'd made good-if I'd just wait"
Her employer looked at her a little
anXiously.
do you think perhaps he may real
ly love you?" he asked.
"Of course not" said Mary.
Its the first time he's actually want
ed to marry anybody" said his father.
"Oh, it's just that I've been very blue
eyed and baby faced!" said the secre-
tary modestly.
Il guess you're right" agreed Mar
tin
"Of course | am. Why, dear Mr..
Martin, even for this" she said. point
ing to her check, II wouldn't give your
son one real pang. He's too nice a
boy. When l break our engagement
he may feel a bit lonely and be very
sorry for himself for a few days and
give up women forever, but pretty
soon some charming girl of his own
position-of his own world, who needs
to be petted and spoiled and protected,
some limousine lady-will come along,
and they'll live happily ever after"
NONSENSE! said Mr.. Martin. 81
don't agree with you at all. | begin
to wish this marriage We're going to be
on the level"
1T wouldn't work out" Mary inter-
rupted. I'm business woman. Mar
rlage and the fireside and leaning on
some man are not for me. I've been
Independent too long. | couldn't stop
my work for a man, and there can't be
two heads in family-two happy
heads. Even if your son did love me-
really love-I wouldn't marry him.
Just now he's twenty-four, with an in
Ola rubber heart that is easy to stretch
and easier to snap back All men at
twenty-four are like that"
81 suppose So" Mr. Martin comment
ed reminiscently. Il remember when
l was young man there was a girl
my heart was broken for a week-per-
haps ten days-however, however,
Then. abruptly changing the subject,
he inquired, whats my son going to
work at?"
81 don't know yet" Mary said truth
fully.
do you think he'll make good?"
HE will if he keeps at it."
"WeU. you'll keep him at it, won't
your
THAT wasn't our agreement" said
Mary. Il only undertook to get him
to start to work.
Him. went Mr.. Martin, tapping the
arm of his chair
isn't that true?" demanded Mary
quietly.
Quite, quite,' said Martin canniIy. |
81 was just thinking we might make
some agreement to have you keep him |
on the job
ITO keep him on the job?" echoed !
Mary faint heartedly. Here was a !
new complication if the soap king was /
a second chapter in the de- /
ception. She had honestly meant to
give the whole thing up. She truly
did not want Rodney to get permanent
ly interested in her. She had let him !
kiss her-the memory of his kisses still |
trembled on her lips-but she had done
that for the boys own good. Poor lit
tie secretary, pretty little Mary Gray
son, what was she to think of things,
how cleave her way through this tan
gle of motives that bound her heart
and hands? She had let him kiss her,
yes, but had it really been wrong in
her? Was it-bad? No, she found her
whole soul protesting, it was not wrong
Or bad. 1t had been for the boys own
good, she told herself again. She hug
ged the thought greedily, tasting a por-
ion of that joy of women in giving
herself up to some man for his good.
But she would not spoil his life She
had been firm as to that. And now
here was old Mr.. Martin coming back
ut her with this hateful power of
money and trying to bride her to go
Dn. What should she do?
Suddenly, by a complete change Of
venue, her thoughts attacked the case
rom different angle. She had been
enough in the business world to know
he power and use of money. and from
| French grandfather she had inherited
streak of the keen and honest thrift.
let the rich people look out for them
selves; the poor had to. Curiosity. too.
yet in, and helped dictate her answer
when she finally made it.
well" she said at last enigmatical-
Y, I'm a business woman"
Mr.. Martin looked at her delightedly.
what strikes you as fair?' he asked