The Tacoma times. [volume] (Tacoma, Wash.) 1903-1949, 1916-10-02

AT work." Mrs. De Peyster
gasped. You've worked-at
what?"
We'll, you see, mother, II I
could have knocked out a home
run, say a job as a railroad pres,
ident. when / stepped up to the
plate in the first inning, | sup
pose | wouldn't have backed away
from the chance. But l wanted
to find my real value, SO ] wore
cheap clothes and kept clear of
my friends. What could / do?
every one asked me. You know
my answer. And their answer
But finally met a kind gentleman
who gave me a chance"
Jack De Peyster! I'm astound-
ed at you!"
II thought you might be--a lit
tle," he admitted.
81 won't have it," cried Mrs.
De Peyster, wrathfully.
You really mean that you are
not going to add a few thousand
more to my hundred thousands
worth of education?"
81 certainly shall mott"
well, If that's the way you
feel about it." he sighed, we'll
drop the matter-temporarily."
We'll drop it permanently"
said Mrs. De Peyster, decisively.
Besides, all this talk is utterly
bootless. You seem to forget that
you are sailing with me to Europe
tomorrow"
THAT brings me to the second
point. was hoping" Jack said
mildly, that you would consent to
take my regrets to Europe"
why, your passage Is paid for,
and my plans-you know Ethel
Quintard and her mother are sail
ing on the same boat. No, most
certainly | shall not let you Off"
We'll, that brings us to the
third point" He drew a copy of
the Record from his pocket and
pointed to paragraph. Mother,
this is the second time my engage
ment to Ethel Quintard has been
in print. / must say that l don't
think it's nice of Ethel and Mrs.
Quintard to let those rumors
stand. / would deny them myself,
only 1t seem rather a raw thing
for fellow to do. Mother, you
must deny them"
Jack, this marriage is bound
to comet"
IT'S all off,"
and why, IL you please!"
"Oh, for several reasons" he
returned mildly. But one of the
reasons is that happen to be en-
gagged to some one else"
Engaged" gasped Mrs. De
Peyster, falling back. And with
out my know 1t! Who is she?"
Mary Morgan"
MARY Morgan! 1 never heard
of her. Who's her father?"
First name Henry, | believe"
81 don't mean his name. But
who is he-what's his famiry--his
financial affiliations"
"Oh, / see. Mary told me he
runs shoe store in Buffalo,"
OH gasped Mrs. De Peyster.
"Oh! And-and Unsatisfactory
person"
"She plays the piano and is go
ing to be a professional"
For a moment Mrs. De Peyster's
was inarticulate. She choked
with her words. Before she could
get them out, Jack was on his
feet and had an arm around her
shoulders.
Come, mother. don't be angry
l-please!" he cried with farm,
boyish eagerness. Before you
say another word, let me bring
Mary to see you. / can get her
here before you go on board. The
sight of her will show you how
right I am. She is the dearest,
sweetest"
stop" She caught his arm. "I
shall not see this-this Mary per-
SOM"
Nor"
"And I shall never see her!
Never! And what is more" she
continued, you are going to give
up, yes, and entirely forget, all
those foolish things you have just
been speaking Oft"
Pardon me, mother; you are
mistaken" he said quietly. 81 am
going to give up nothing"
'Then-then-" she was say
ing thickly, in her outraged males
ty. when Matilda opened the hall
door and ushered in an erect, slen-
der man of youngish middle age.
II beg pardon; fear I come in
opportunely." he said, as he sight
ed Mrs. De Peyster's militant atti-
ture, "Ill just wait
do not go, Judge Harvey"
Mrs. DePeyster commanded, as he
started to withdraw. On the other
hand, your arrival is most oppor-
tune. Please come here"
Good morning, Uncle Bob"
Jack said, cheerfully.
Mrs. De Peyster glared at her
son, then crossed to the safe, took
tout a document and returned to
the two men.
Judge Harvey, do not care to
60 into explanations" said she.
But l desire to give you an order
and to have you be witness to my
act"
"Of course, am at your service