The Kansas City sun. (Kansas City, Mo.) 1908-1924, 1915-05-22


the ext morning, when the Sunday
papers were opened.
For accounts of the visit of the com
mittee filled the front pages. His pref
ty secretary, as Miss Edna was openly
labeled, was called the worst woman
in Boston" Her photograph was dis
played in proximity with James Mar
tyn's.
Miss Summers was not yet down.
Hastily mother and son scanned the
dreadful displays.
"One Of those COMPOUNDED sociolo-
gists must have been a reporter"
growled the millionaire. Il am so
sorry for the girl. mother, and more
for you"
why for me, James?" inquired the
old lady quietly.
Rich man that he was and dictator
in his office, James Martyr felt like a
small boy before the glance of those
mild blue eyes.
Because l mean to ask her to be my
wife," he answered. TN fact l have
asked her already, and she is to let
me know shortly"
IF she accepts you, James, it will
be the best thing that could happen
to you" answered the old lady.
Mother! You aren't ashamed of
herr"
mot a bit. 1t will make a man Of
you, James," she returned peremptor-
lily. And her look was so suave, SO
piercing, too, that the millionaire was
utterly at a loss.
They hid the papers and a dreary
day followed. Toe embarrassed to
speak much to Miss Edna, James Mar
tyn skulked like a schoolboy in his
library until late in the afternoon.
Once, emerging, he saw Miss Sum-
mers porting over a newspaper which
she had purchased that morning. She
knew, then.
He went up to her. 81 am so sorry"
he said.
Never mind, Mr.. Martyr" answered
the girl.
But l never dreamed that the facts
would get into the newspapers" he
went on remorsefully. q"
"Mr. Martyr, one cannot live down
ones past" she answered, beginning
to tremble.
And your answer" began Martyr,
when an alteration at the front door
arrested his attention. An old lady
and gentleman were engaged in very
angry disputation with the butler, and,
what is more, pushed that functionary
| aCfdn urfthnrf nararaAnu ond nopna h11r-
riedly along the hall and into the par
lor.
Il want to see Mr.. James Martyn!"
shouted the old gentleman. beside
himself with wrath.
The pair were obviously country
bred-prosperous farming people, they
seemed to be. The man was beyond
s~elf-control and, more ominous, the
old lady did not seem anxious to con
troll him.
81 am Mr.. Martyrs mother" said
Mrs. Martyr, rising with dignity.
The papers say that my daughter is
an ex-convict and that your son hired
her out of charity!" cried the old man,
with blazing eyes. He pulled a paper
| lIOnl HIS pOChCl anu hdLlLllClC Gu Oh II
with his hand. Aren't you James
Martyr, sir?" he continued, turning
upon the millionaire as he entered.
why shouldn't l horsewhip you, sir?"
AS the old gentleman carried moth.
ing more formidable than a hickory
stick and was quite feeble, the answer
was an obvious one. But, as he
| f,trnAl hn eour Mice C,Dar,are ANNA
quietly into the room. He h%esitated,
but IN a moment the old lady had
caught her in her arms and they were
sobbing on each others necks.
you shall answer for this, sir!"
shouted the father. You took my girl
on out of charity! You wanted to re.
form her! Huh! Well see!"
Edna, dearest, say that it isn't
true!" pleaded her mother.
ooh, it isn't-of course, it isn't"
sobbed the girl. you see, l had to
get employment at a good salary to
help pay off that mortgage. and know.
ing how hard it was II had heard of
Mr.. Martyrs theory and I-pretended
to have a criminal record so as to get
6mplOyu euJ dL JuiTIy-hF0 uOlidI6 q
week. I've never stolen anything in
my life. And you can take back your
old job, Mr.. Martyr. And the man ]
marry won't be n who'll tell the
| sociologists things like that about me
He'll have to be Just about the best
man in the world"
1t vas old Mrs. Martyr who rose to
the occasion. She took the astonished
girl from her mothers arms and placed
her head Upon her own shoulder.
Now. good people," she said sooth-
ingly, nobody was to blame. 1t vas
just my sons fad, that's all. He's only
forty and he isn't quite grown up yet
He doesn't understand human nature.
Now say you all forgive him, and you,
too, Edna, for he is really a good man."
ooh, / think he is the best man in
the world" cried the girl impulsively.
And then, struck dumb by the reali'
zation of what she had said, she
hlushed redder than a rose.