The Washington herald., 1916-05-14

we" 10 approach a degree intimate enough for
her TO smooth the elder Laidlaw's grizzled hair,
and straighten his purple necktie. It was too
much Again Laidaw's about her,
and this time all suggestion of the Paternal COM
forter had fed. Mary snatched herself away,
belief.
What have you done? Oh, what have you
done?' she gasped
Peter Laidaw's glance fell, and hi, hand.
opened and closed nervously. The girl really
loved him! He drew himself more stifly erect,
and cleared his voice
81 am older than you my girI-old enough
= I" be your father But am lonely man. and
need youth and gayety. If you will take me for
a husband, you shall never regret it,"
fou-ma~rry you the girl gasPed. You
mistake yourself Mr.. Laidlaw am afraid you
put the wrong construction my loneliness and
heart hunger. could never think Of marrying
you"
LaidIaw stared in genuine amazement. sb.
chance for a fortune!
But l really mean it, Mary-Miss Dsven-
port, am in earnest :"
so :" said the girl And Peter IaidIsyv
was forced to depart with his mind in a chaos
and realizing that the girl had grown so terDt-
ingly aluring that he would sacrifice half his
money il she were really his.
He will be back" said Mary confidently as
she told Mona of the interview. Mark INV words
And again She was right. The next day the
elderly suitor called again, only TO be met with
the same rebuff a trihe less pronounced Bv
this time father and were completely e>-
tranged. and Dick confded to Mona his intention
OF leaving the paternal roof, and moving into in
dependent quarters.
THE time has come for our crisis" said
Mary thoUghtfully when she heard Of this de-
'eloPment 81 shall accept Peter Lsidiaw when
he calls aFan-snd I'll leave the rest to you
Mona
Mary as good as her word She sent the
elder Laidlaw away iubilant-so iubilant that he
promptly sought ont his son. and informed him
Of tn" glad news that he WAS soon to have a
Young and beautiful step-1nuther. Dick received
the intelligence in dsmay. and an hour later
was eNcitedly pouring out the story to Mons's
sympathetic ears
Think what it will mean to us dear! Some
designing woman has trapped the old governor.
She viii waste all his money. and there won't be
a dollar left for US :"
why not follow your fathers tactics to me
and try to buy her of" suggested the quick
wltted Mona. such women ALWAYS have price
Show her the money. real mnney-not a check
by Jo'e, III do it! You are a wonder,
little one -.
An hour later Young IaidIaw with his wallet
newly rePetcd climbed out Of tsNicab before
me apartment house. As he did so he caught
SIGHT Of familiar figure Just disappearing
through the entrance. 1t was his father. Young
Laidlaw ground his teeth. and stroIIed thought
fully around the block. feeling sure that he had
the cash arguments at hand to play his game
Meanwhile the elder LadIaw in Mary's apart
ment was Slipping expensive diamond engage
men' ring on the girls finger in spite Of her pro-
tests that the gift was much too Valuable IS he
stepped back into the hall. the door Of Mons's
fiat opened though hy accident and that
Sanc3 Young woman, attired for the street, stood
confronting him.
oh Mr.. LaidIuw. She said swectIy. "T have
been thinking over Your visit 70 me- and have
com" to the conclusion that You are right i'm
your arguments t" me that marriage with ,ou-
of u.s."
I'm other words " said Peter Laidlaw
In oth~~ words. If YOUR o4o~ -, take c,-o o..
- rrrrHI am q
h"'. r"w"m"rr. it must BE- cash. II ] ann going r,
sell th" only happiness ] have ever known, will
not narUrr n.N~vI5 for a check"
~ "u shall have the cash =" said Peter Laid
law. grm.I. a~ he hurried from the house ST.,
occun'd with his thoughts thai he did not see
the dodglng figure Of his son behind the corner
OF the building.
Five minutes later Dick Ta;dlaw Wa pro-
ing the bell of Mary'~ fiat. TIN" interview vr~
snort and II not sweet. at least uH> cu7iupvr|v
satisfactory to both PARTIES When the Younger
one hundred dollar bills
At about the same minute ruo'N~r interview
OF much the same nature. and Z, ,.ruuatinC i'm an
equally satisfactory manner. Mis- tai ug place -r
'he apartment of Mona just across r.,. co~ridor.
Understand" finished th. elderly Laidras.
that You relinqui>h all claims 10 my son ta,s
henceforth you will 81" uot,t"g Of him under
any circumstances!
Quite right agreed v,ra as >ro SOFTLY
rustIod the newly miu'ed hll~, which her caller
had pressed on her. And now. is there ANYTHING
further?'
Il think not" said Peter Laidaw delil,rr-
atey, as he stepped to the d"nr. The girl ac-
companied him sweety. saw him safely into the
corridor, and then started forward with diStende5
eyes. At practically the sam" moment the door
Of MaryS apartment had also opened for her
visitor. Father and son stood staring at one an
other and at their shoulders the two girls
For tense moment the tabrau continued
And then Mary whirled toward Mona "N on
-hussy!" she snapped.
You vixen" retorted Mona
The Ladlaws said nothing Without a wn~I.
l'lck clapped his hat down onto his head and
strOde toward the stairs His father he>rtsr.d
for moment, and then followed more SLOWLY.
his face contracted thoughtfully
An hour later parent and SON in the privacy
Of the formers innernost Office. took reRecti,e
and melancholy notes. The result left them
staring at each other blankly
1T looks, governor though they pIs,cd
you for the goat :" said Dick with rroan
In Aary's apartment the two girls were
ous'ly engaged in arraying themselves for the
street.
I'VE win :" said Mona, for the twentieth time.