The Washington herald., 1916-06-18

what he was doing, Tom caught her in his
arms and kissed her.
Toni gasped the girl Indignantly;
yet-oddly enough-making no effort to
free herself
TIN sorryr' he pleaded, though with
out releasing her IT didn't mean to.
Honestly, I didn't had a really splen-
did proposal all thought out A proposal
all full of poetry quotations and remarks
about angels and lilies and paradise and
all. But when I saw you, all I could
think of was that love you'll love you
love you! Marjorie, darling. I love
you. I guess you've always known 1t. Do
do you care anything at all about me?"
Why, of course, 1 do" she hesitated, her
face hidden on his chest. you know l
do. Tom. Twelve loved you as far back
as I can remember"
The arms about her slender body tight
! ened. She raised her flushed face. Their
eyes met and then their lips.
1t was not a dramatic scene: not at all
eloquent or stirring. II was the simple
| avowal of two people who loved each
that love as the most glorious thing in
both their lives.
| And, dear" said Tom, after a half
hour of the delicious idiocies that lovers
consider such infinitely wise conversa-
tion. 1T won't have to be long engage
ment, either. Father promised me today
that he"
Marjorie darted away from the clasp
of his arm.
Dads coming in," she warned him. IT
heard his key In the front door. I know
he won't approve. Don't let's tell him
yet"
why. little sweetheart" Tom reas-
sured her. He won't bite US. Besides,
it's the only square thing-the only
truthful thing-to do. We can't live a lie.
He has the right to know"
| But
Mr. Lampson hearing voices in the
living room, strolled In. Harry, at his
heels. caught sight of Tom and halted
irresolute. just outside the doorway.
Good evening, Tom" Mr. Lampson
greeted the caller, not over-cordially.
Hello little girl Harry and just got
back from the train. I hope you didn't
wait dinner for u.s.
Mr. Lampson," spoke up Tom. nerving
himself for the ordeal My father prom
ised today to take me into the business
with him in June"
IT congratulate you." said Lampson
perfunctorily.
THAT will mean" went on Tom. that
I'll have good pay from the start; with
good. And I'm going to make good. Not
| only for fathers sake and mine. but for
Marjorie's, too"
"Marjorie's?" repeated Lampson in
mild displeasure. What has Marjorie
to do with it?''
| Il hope she will have everything to do
with it," answered Tom.
| Il don't understand you"
| Mr. Lampson." said Tom -''I have Just
asked Marjorie to be my wife. Will you
make US both very happy by giving your
consent? If you will let us marry as soon
as GO to work"
Il am afraid cannot consent to any,
thing of the sort" said Lampson. stifr1y.
Z"
| But Mr. Lampson! You know all abou,
me. You know my parents. You know
Marjorie cares for me, that I shall be
able to support her. that
| Il know merely that do not wish Mar
torie to marry you" returned Lampson,
coldly. For that matter I do not wish
her to think of marrying anyone for sew
eral years to come. She IS very young
and"
| Youth Is a disease that time never yet
has failed to cure" protested poor Tom
And II you insist we will wait a year OF,
so; though I beg you wont insist. You
you have no personal objection to me, I
hope"
| Il do not care to go into that question
at all" said Lampson. 1T is enough for
me to say that I cannot sanction any en-
gagement between you and my daugh-
! ter"
That means" flashed Marjorie. that
you've been listening to more of Harry's
stories about him. Harry's Jealous of
Tom, because Tom is popular and
| That will do, Marjorie" said her
father. Il don't care to discuss the mat
ter. 1 positively forbid the engagement
And I forbid you to see Tom again, for
the present, or to hold any sort OF COM
munication with him"
Dad"
"I forbid It." he repeated. tersely I'm.
derstand that. please
Mr.. Lampson"' broke out Tom. this
is unfair. If you have any objection tc
me. 1t Is only honest to tell me what II
| is. I
Il am not compelled to explain my
motives to every scatter-brained college
boy" said Lampson. My daughter fs
not yet OF age, and is therefore subject
to my wishes. 1 forbid her to see you
again. And forbid you to call here
Good night"
! Tom looked appealingly at Marjorie
But the girl was white and trembling
He knew the awe in which she held her
austere father and saw she lacked the
courage to defy him for the sake of the
man she loved:
'1'll 60" said Tom. But It is only fair
to warn you, sir that don't promise
not to try to see Marjorie as often as !
can
And III take very good care" retort.
ed Lampson, that she sees nothing OF
YOU
! Tom stalked angrily out Of the room
So suddenly did he emerge, that the
| eavesdropping Harry had scarcely time
to dodge behind portiere to avoid
colliding with him.
| When he came home from college next
afternoon-he lived only about a mile
from the university-Tom found waiting
for him a letter from Marjorie. Eagerly
he opened It and read:
| "Sweetheart:-Dad Is still fearfully
angry. He threatens to shut me up in
the house or send me to boarding school
or even to a convent If ever dare speak
| to you. You see, he isn't used to having
people talk back to him as you did last
night. And its made him all the more
bitter against you. CHe'd be the same
way, I'm sure. with anyone who tried to
marry me and take me away from him }
But I'm not going to give you up, Tom.
| I'd lots rather see you with his con-
sem. But I'm going to see you tust the
same; even without his consent Is that
wrong? 1 hope not because I'm going to,
anyway. And besides, you gave him fair
| warning.