Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1915-09-17

and must have her own life. All we
can do Is to defend her against the
coyotes who are busy with her name"
But what of him, Joe; he don't care
for her as she does for him. Can't you
see thatE
Hell do the right thing, mother; he
told me he would. He knows how
much depends on his staying here now,
and he intends to do it,"
But in the end, Joe. after this scan
dial is lived down, can he-will he
marry her? And if he marries her can
they live together and be happy? His
way of life is so different. He can't
content himself here, and she can't fit
in where he belongs. 1t all seems
hopeless to me. Wouldn't 1t be bet
ter for her to suffer for a little while
now than to make a mistake that may
last lifetime
"Mebbe it would, mother, but the
decision is not ours. She's too strong
for us to control. She's of age, and if
she comes to a full understanding Of
the situation she can decide the ques-
ton a whole lot better than either of
u.s."
That's true" she sighed. "1n some
ways she's bigger and stronger than
both of us. Sometimes l wish she
were not so self reliant"
when Wayland caught the startled
look on Berries face he knew that she
had learned from her father the con
tents of his telegram and that she
would require an explanation.
care you going away" she asked.
Eyes. At least, l must go down to
Denver to see my father. | shall be
gone only overnight"
"And will you tell him about our
trip" she pursued, with unfinchins di-
rectness. "And about-meW
He gave her chair and took seat
himself before replying. Eyes, shall
tell him all about it and about you and
your father and mother. He shall
know how kind you've all been to me"
He said this bravely, and at the mo-
ment he meant it, but as his fathers
big, impassive face and cold, keen eyes
came back to him his courage sank,
and in spite of his firm resolution some
part of his secret anxiety communicate
ed itself to the girl, who asked many
questions with intent to find out more
particularly what kind of man the eld-
er Norcross was.
Wayland's replies did not entirely re-
assure her. He admitted that his ia
Their was harsh and domineering in
character and that he was ambitious
to have his son take up and carry for
ward his work. "He was willing
enough to have me go to college till
he found l was specializing on wrong
lines. Then I had to fight In order to
keep my place. He's glad I'm out here
for he thinks I'm regaining my
strength. But just as soon as I'm well
enough he expects me to go to Chicago
and take charge of the western office
OF course l don't want to do that. I'd
rather work out some problem in chem
istry that interests me, but l may have
to give in for a time at least"
"Will your mother and sisters be
with your father"
'No, indeed! You couldn't get any
one Of them west of the Hudson river
with log chain. My sisters were
both born in Michigan, but they want
to forget it. They pretend they have
forgotten it. They both have New
Yorkitis. Nothing but the big hotels
will do them now"
II suppose they think we're all In
juns' out here?"
"Oh, no, not so bad as that. But
they wouldn't comprehend anything
about you except your muscle. Thai
would catch 'em. They'd worship YOU
splendid health, just as | do. It's pitt
full the way they both try to put OF
weight. They're always testing some
new food, some new tonic. They'll dc
anything except exercise regularly anC
go to bed at 10 O'clock"