Morris tribune., 1915-02-05

thing went wrong with the automobile,
and he stopped to fix it."
She had barely disappeared when a
brilliant red car flashed past the win
, dows, and the driver. alighting. hastily
tossed his leather coat and goggles
back upon the seat. then with nimble
assurance dashed up the steps to the
entrance.
81 am Mr.. Mcclure" the young man
announced, and mother recognized at
| once the soft tones so recently de
scribed.
"You will come in. please" she said.
but even the infectious smile with
which her invitation was accepted had
no power to melt the frigid GOODNESS OF
mothers manner
II seem to know you all from Deb
{ ora's description" he said geniaIly Fa-
! Their bowed b.. g:
eve are glad to have this opportn-
nifty of speaking to you. Mr.-er-Mc-
Clure," he said BE seated. please -.
With puzzled glance at the forbid
ding faces. the young man obeyed
"Debora has Informed US of enter.
ing into a hastY and foolish engage
ment," father continued, Ian engage,
ment which you must realize to be al.
together impossible .@
"Why impossible. sir?" Mr.. Larry
Mcclure asked quietly.
Father cleared his throat IL a.:
"1n the first place." he began, You
may have heard of gift of $4,000
which my daughters aunt proposed TO
give to the one of her nieces first salts
factorily married This reckless en-
gagement would entirely exclude my
| daughter from receiving that gift
Larry Mcclure wrinkled his hrows.
"Debora told me about the money"
he frankly confessed. And Dehora
is the first niece to become engaged,
isn't ;she?"
Father frowned lyon. ev1dently for
get the satisfactorily, " he
said. =,
"Well," Larry asked, whats so I'm:
satisfactory about meT' sgt1zJ.s
The family looked aghast- ~. ,.4.5 >
"Why, you've no prospects, no busi.
ness. no profession .,o,92sa H. :
Larry breathed vast sigh Of relief.
IF that is ALL" he said. then every
thing will be right l. am going to
study for profession after Debora
and are married 1t would be too
long to wait-before." r. n.:,e.-
Would you mind telling me-" father
asked. and his tone was severe again,
how you and my daughter intend to
live while you are studying for this
profession?" 70 n 3
Certainly. sir" Larry answered
briskly. you have forgotten the fifty
/! thousand which | shall receive. with
! my bride"
/ docs my sister understand that you
are counting on this money!
Jack burst out hotly, HAS Debora
! quite gone crazy?"
ut was your sister who suggested
the plan." Larry Mcclure Indignantly
retorted Father rose to end the dis
cusSion. .. si&
"YOu are overconfdent concerning
this gift Of money" he said cuttingly
II am very sure that my daughters
aunt would not consider an ordinary
chauffeur satisfactory husband for
Debora."
Mr.. Mcclure stared 1nQuiringly: IT..
IAN ordinary chauffeur" be re-
peated
Father" cried a reproachfuI voice
from the doorway, didn't l say that
Larry was cot an ordinary chauffeur?
distinctly told you that Mrs Vandyke
would not trust any one else to drive
her car. So Larry simply had to do
It. He is Mrs. Vandyke's nephew. you
see, and she has cared for him and
just dotted on him ever since his moth
er died" ... H..
Debora waited. enjoying the general
establishment Then grandmother came
forward eagerly.
"Oh. Mr.. McClurev' she said. "Can
it be possible that your mother was
Mrs. Vandyke's young sister, Dear.
dear, remember her wellv'
"And-and your father the famous
writer, Lawrence McClureT' mother
exclaimed.
''The same" Larry answered, won
dering But his eyes were on Debora.
Her own twinkled back a merry re-
| Spouse,
And Larry's aunt and mine being
bosom friends" she continued, they
conceived together this brilliant idea of
/ marrying off their young relatives.
| with this slight difference: Mrs. Van
dykes money goes to the first nephew
satisfactorily engaged And as Larry
happens to be the first nephew and as
his choice is entirely satisfactory to
| the aunt, why, that Is the $4,000
which he expects to receive with his
bride and to use in his future career"
by Jove." said Jack, with low
whistle. ga clean 100000 between you
twoT
"You should have told u.s." mother
said reprovingly. But Debora shook
her head