The Detroit times. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1903-1920, 1915-04-20
Beth; The Girl
Who Went Right
By Ethel
x
Lloyd
Patterson
No. Eds Engagement.

| gency. my brother announced to US
his engagement. We were In the
sitting room after dinner, alone with
out guests. and conversation had mo-
mentarily Jagged. My brother arose
from his chair. thrust his hands into
his pockets and began tramping up
and down on the hearth rug.
WELL" he said. and he did not
look at any Of as when he spoke. Il
am going to marry Marta Jagow."
There was q pause. Marion bal
anced her beaded slipper half on and
half on her crossed foot and made no
comment. I do not think she was
particularly interested. She was sell
dom interested in anything that did
not vitality concern herself. Az for
me. ! was young and l loved ro-
nance. But young as was knew
better than to connect II with this
AFFAIR. Also had habit OF being
very quiet at family conferences. My
mother was the FIRST to break the
silence.
When are you going to marry her.
Eddief" she asked. Her voice held
little warmth.
Right away" Ed answered Ia
conically, "as soon as she can get her
toys together"
But, Ed" suggested my mother.
how are you going TO manage to
live? Are you sure about her mon
ey? Can she help you?
Eds face had an expression not
pleasant to see on so young man.
He laughed and shifted my position
In my chair uneasily.
you don't think I asked her to
marry me before l looked up her
stocks and bonds, do you, Mother
cerlins?" he asked. You didn't think
I Was marrying her for her wit and
beauty. did you? II you did. have a
look. that's all I have to say. No.
dearest. We are going to be very
modern. I am going to live In my
wife's house and be supported In
the style and comfort to which I am
unaccustomed."
i This was q bit too frank for Moth.
or. Like q great many women her
idea OF decency was to do anything
you liked. but never to admit 1t. II
you could call an ugly act by a pref
ty name and get away with 1t. Ger
tainly there could be no harm In the
trtfling deception. so now she mad,
q mental grab for her whitewasi
brush and dashed at Ed with 1t will
vigor.
J How queer Il is" she laughed
lightly. that men are SO ashamed o.
being in love! You silly dear! Blu
never mind. ! understand"
She crossed to Ed and reached VI
tc put her little hands on his shout
dcrs.
kiss me. my boy" she demanded
prettily. Il want to wish you all sorts
OF happiness"
You would have thought my father
had not heard one word OF anything
that had been said. He had appar
emily been lost In his customary
gloomy abstraction. But now he rose
Ed had left my mother and he turn
ed away from her to find himsel
facing my father. Father looked al
him from beneath lowered brows.
Ed" de demanded, ARE you mar
rying this girl because you love hel
or for her money!" And then sud
denly and passionately: Lord, what
have done that my children should
be like thisf"
Ed Strengthened himself sullenly
II don't know what you're gettins
NJ Governor" he flung out. IF
were marrying Marta for money
you know blame we'll / would want
the money to help you!"
My father thrust his jaw forward
ard HIS face came very close to Eds
well, I'll tell you this" he growl
cd. II have fallen pretty low. I owe
tradeemen right and left; and I have
borrowed money from my friends to
try to pay them. but I'm not low
enough yet to need money that way
nor to stand by and watch my son
take II from girl without"-he
ended with an utterly weary ges
ture-"without wishing neither he
nor had ever been born"
He walked slowly from the room
and left us staring at each other
Finally Ed laughed nervously.
Guess the Governors eaten some
thing TO disagree with him." he com
mented.
He is very tired" said my mother
soothingly.
And for the rest OF the evening We
all worked to keep up the fiction
But down In each of our hearts was {
little voice crying to us: Father Is
right"