The Chickasha daily express. (Chickasha, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1899-current, 1915-09-08
A sALARIED MAN
BY SARAH WHITING.

crleu lmpulslvely. I'D rather hall
starve with Elsie than feast without
her."
How about whole starying?"
Louise, his cousin, asked provoking
ly Sure 1t may not come to that?
Which means, being interpreted,
you hate Elsie Denton" Jack retorted,
his mouth settling dgggedly.
Louise looked at him reproachfully.
Il deserve that for the folly of think.
Ing you would not misunderstood me-"
she said. Il have nothing against
your sweetheart except that have
nothing for her. Like all the Denton
girls, she has been brought up with an
eye single to misunderstanding rather
than misunderstanding
Good afternoon won't stay to
hear her slanderously dissectedls
Jack burst out Not even by the
woman to whom l owe my education
Don't be uneasy-l'll pay you every
dollar. Elsie will help me. She is
already planning how we shall save
and thrive"
you owe me no money, but think
courtesy is due the blood--our blood"
she Interrupted You have been like
my brother-my dear younger brother
for whom [ had such hopes" she
went on, steadily. BE halfway sen,
sible. Jack-for the blood's sake. Wait
until you have your profession, al
least"
Il shall get it. never fear" Jack
said hotly, but not at your expense.
I'm deep enough in your debt al
ready"
Let that pass, please" Louise said
her eyes growing steely Tell me
exactly what your plans are"
I'm going into Blaney's office to
study" he replied defiantly.
With this, Jack rushed away to
Elsie. Sore and bruised from the con.
fiict with his cousin, he sought com.
fort and reinsurance. 1t hurt him to
find her on the verge of tears, sur
veying his ring with petulant frown.
1t had been his mothers engagement
ring and was set with a small dia
mond of fine luster. He priced it SO
dearly he had thought she must dc
likewise.
May Cutter ran in to show me her |
ring" Elsie said petulantly. "Such a |
beauty-a blue-white solitaire. She
says 1t cost thousand-and Job |
Means is going to give her string OF
pearls when they marry. 1t made me
SO ashamed hid my ring-hand first
but she saw it. So had to tell her
was wearing this just until you had
time to run up to the city and get me
a real ring set in a special design"
What an unprincipled little fib.
ber!" Jack said fondly, with yet an
unaccountable sinking of the heart.
Don't you think, Jack, it would be
better IL you got me the real ring? !
know your cousin has a charge ac
count at Letfleld's."
But I'd starve before I added any
thing to It. Jack burst out.
At this she tossed her head. SAYING
with a pout, why, she's bound to
give us handsome present-for her
own credits sakel Just do as say,
ard tell her that settles it. / simply
won't let May Cutter put it all over
me as she does"
Let me tell you a few things" Jack
said, paling to the lips. AS briefly and
IS badly as possible he told her of his
cousins attitude, of his own hopes,
plans, even fears. Il know it's going
o be hard-an awful pull, grille" he
wound up "but-we'll face 1t to
sether. Isn't that better than being
lpart?"
Elsie was sobbing. She had never
lreamed of a situation like this. Her
'lan had been to marry and GO
traight home to the Manners house,
he handsomest in town. Jack was
he heir presumptive-he had grown
p there. Miss Louise was SO fond
I him she could never do without
i'm.
You say she'll do something for usf
low much do you suppose? We could
manage fairly on $4,000 year besides
hat you make" she ventured doubt
llly.
Jack laughed contemptuously 81
nppose she viii furnish the kitchen
Or US and give us half dozen tea.
poons," he said. but $4,000 a yearl
9hy, couldn't bring myself to take
If she offered 1t. l owe her too much l
lready." !
You are wickedly foolish" Elsie !
,bbed And unkind, too. If you had
I'd me IL time shouldn't be in this .
Wful hole. OF course | can't marry :
ou as things are. have no taste OF '
lent for starvation. Suppose we :
ait a year or two. Maybe can =
ing her around. If that turns out to
impossible; well. We shall see. u
mply can't stay here forever. Mother G
Is three other girls younger than =
n, remember; and father will never A
anything but salaried man" y
Suppose I'm never anything but d
at?' Jack asked abruptly. something
'gged creeping into his face. u
Elsie flushed and returned sharply: a
you are going to let yourself be q
why, the sooner get rid of this "a
lmpery the betteri" q
y