Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1916-01-08
CHAPTER III.
Considerations.

for days, and now that I've got
It ! don't propose TO be interrupted
That's why locked the door,"
q Rodney had come over to her.
II want to talk to you," he said Inn
petuousiy. MARY. win you marry mer
why, really began Mary shyiy.
II don't know what to say hesitat-
ed the girl, feeling her ground.
Say yea" cried Rodney. waiting fe-
verishly to hear her answer.
It came ct last shyly, YES" where
upon Rodney cried, .You angeEw joy
fully and tried to grab her. But
things must not 60 quite 30 fast, Mary
thought intmttveay, and drew away q
little from him, though, to tell the
truth, abe would Willingly have let
him catch her - she felt now.
mo, No; watt moment" she said.
''Ws'n b married right away" went
on Rodney unsbashed.
"But suppose your father dissp-
provost said Mary.
"Hs wont know anything about 1t
until we're married, and then what
could be DOR objected Rodney.
"He might cut you o." suggested
Mary sagely.
would you carer asked Rodney.
TT No, no, indeed" said Mary hasti-
". II was thinking Of you, dear"
Don't you bother about me-" cried
Rodney. wen be married tomorrow
and then come home for the parental
blessing"
mo, I couldnt do that" said Mary.
ut wouldn't be right. I'm his private
secretary. He trusts me and brings
me here to hts home, and then to ind
I'd married his son ON the sU-no.
Rodney. We couldn't do that."
"You do make It sound rather bad"
said Rodney. II shouldn't want to
treat father badly. We've always been
pretty good friends, he and /. I guess
I'd better tell HMM a week or so''-
Mary's self compoaure had been rap
idly returning during this colloQuy, and
she was suree Of what she wanted.
Indeed It plqued her . little that Rod
ney should have made such proposal
to her. 90 that now her own inclina-
tions ana tAeso1d esnl3en11ns1rupstairs
ran In the same channel She spoke
up quite EesoluteH: - \
"why, Rodney. II you love me you
viii want 20 get this awful suspense
over with"
But suppose he does object?" Rod,
ney argued, seeing his light OF happi-
ness grow dim.
Even then wouldn't give you up
said his sweetheart.
'''1iaryr'
You could 60 into business" she
went on, make big man of yourself.
make me proud Of you
Ton talk just like the heroine in a
play saw last night . protested Rod
ney. r1She wanted the hero to 60 to
work. and he did,. and then for four
acts everybody suffered" !.
Don't you want to work y asked
Mary anxfoasly.
II should say not; Rodney answer
ed quite seriously. Imagine going to
bed every night knowing you'd got
to get up IN the morning and 60 to
business"
you'd be happier, wouldn't you,"
queried Mary, III you had job?'
Please don't talk Hike father" pro-
tested Rodney. "He's preached fob
At me ever since left college. Why
should work. Father made millions
out OF soap and is forever complaining
that he's always had his nose to the
grindstone, that he's never known
what fun was, that It's all made him
old before his time. I can't see the
sense Of following an example like
that Il really can't. He's got enough
for. you and me and our children and
their grandchildren. I've explained all
this to him. but can't seem to make
him understand. But it's simple-why
work when there's millions in the fam
lily? And why even talk Of it when
you and are III lover
He leaned hungrily toward her,
stretching ont his arms to her, and fin
ished on a note of genuine appeal:
Come, kiss me, Mary
But Mary drew back from him quick
". No, you mustn't" she said drm-
II. '''Not till you've spoken to your ia
ther.r
you won't even kiss me Till / tell
him7'
mo-
-And you win when doT'
+ ssYes.'
.sThen I'll tell him right away1 cried
the valiant lover, striding to the door. h
ooh, Rodney, you're splendid!' APP
planded Mary, ana don=t De afraid '' !.
..Afraid!" echoed Rodney scornfully.
But he paused 9 moment at the door
and said:
you don't think I'd better wait till
the morning."
s..No, 4 don't, = said Mary. "And don't
Be silly about his govt. He really Is
very patient invalid"
Rodney stood moment with his
hand on the knob, plucking up resolu-
tion. As he fingered there violent
knocking sounded on the other side,
and his fathers voice could be tiistinct-
n heard crying .Ouch!s in an extra
loud tone In the hail.
y speaking OF the patient invalid.
Whispered Rodney, looking back at the
lg1s4 FOR whom he was 20 greatly oar.
7 you don't ask him now III never
you whispered Mary. forming