Willmar tribune. [volume] (Willmar, Minn.) 1895-1931, 1915-06-30

uVIUs Anu SuC IOOhCO at
him through her tear dimmed eyes.
but l don't want to hold her, ma,
teri" reasoned her son.
1T would be the saving of US air.
she insisted significantly.
But Alaric was still obtuse.
Nov. how would my holding and
molding Margaret save usT'
The old lady placed her cards DELHI
erately on the table as she said senten-
tiously:
'She would stay with US he2e-if you
were-engaged to hery'
The shock had come. His mothers
terrible alternative was now before
him in all its naked horror. A SILVER
ran through him. The thought Of
man with a future as brilliant as his
being blighted at the outset by such a
misalliancei
He felt the color leave his face.
Engaged! Don't, mother, please"
He trembIed again. "Heavens-engag-
ed to that tomboyy'
There was no escape. Mrs. Chiches-
ter held him firmly.
"She will have $4,000 a year when
she is 900 a year-f5, 600
Of the very best!"
She took him In her arms and press
ed his reluctant and shrinking body to
her breast. Think what it would mean,
dear-your family preserved and a
brand snatched from the burning"
That's just it. It's all right saving
the family. Any cove'n do that at a
pinch. But l do not see myself as
brand snatcher.' Besides, am not
altogether at liberty
"What?" cried his mother.
"Oh, I've not committed myself to
anything. But I've been three times
to hear that wonderful woman speak
once on the platform! And people are
beginning to talk. She thinks no end
OF me. Sent me whole lot of stuff
last week-'advanced literature she
calls it. I've got 'em all upstairs.
Wrote every word of 'em herself. New.
er saw woman who can talk and
write as she can. And outside of all
that I'm afraid I've more or less en-.
couraged her. And there you are-the
whole thing in nutshell"
Alaric thought for few moments.
The result of this mental activity
took form and substance rs follows:
"She Is not half bad iooking-at times
when she's properly dressed"
"1've seen her look almost beauti-
ful!' cried Mrs. Chichester.
Alaric suddenly grew depressed.
"Shocking temper, matery' and he
shook his head despondently.
1.-THE woman who loves always
obeys" cried his mother.
"Ah, there we have ity' And Alaric
sprang up and faced the old lady.
There we have it! Does she love meY'
Mrs. Chichester looked fondly at her
only son and answered.:
''How could she be near you for the
last month and not love your
Alaric nodded:
"Of course there Is that. Now, let
me see-just get solid grip on the
whole thing. If she loves me-and TAX
ing all things into consideration-for
your sake and darling Ethel's-and for
my-that is
As mother and son walked slowly
toward the house they looked up, and
gazing through tiny easement Of
the little mauve room was Peg. her
face white and drawn.
Peg decided to take a walk in the
garden. As she reached the foot OF
the stairs Alaric came In quickly
through the windows
Hello, Margarety' he cried cheerful
ly, though his heart was beating nerv
ously at the thought of what he was
about to do; and across his features
there was sickly pallor. "What have
you got there, all tucked away?" he
ventured as the opening question that
was to lead to the all important one.
Peg held up book for him to see
1.-THE only thing I'm takin' away that
l didn't bring with me-"
"A book, eh?'
"That's what it 1s-a book" and shl
began to 60 upstairs.
"Taking it away?' he called up to
her.
That's what I'm doin'," and she still
went on up two more steps.
you're not really going away-cous
in?'' he gasped.
II am" replied Peg.
"Just q moment" he cried. stopping
her just by an orfel window. She
paused in the center of the glow that
radiated from its panes.
what is it?'' she asked impatiently
She wanted to go back to her room
and make her final preparations.
Alaric looked at her With what h,
meant to be alteration in his eyes.
do you know I've grown real,
awfully fond of your His voice quiv
cred and broke. He had reached on,
Of the crises of his life.
mo. didn't know it. When did =,
ind it out?"
Just now-down in that ROOM
when the thought flashed through m,
that perhaps you really meant to leav,
us. 1t went all through me. Pom m,
honor 1t did. The idea positively hur
me-really hurt me-
did it, now7' laughed Peg. SUR
an I'm glad Of it,
Glad? Glad1" he asked IN astonish