The Prince George's enquirer and southern Maryland advertiser. (Upper Marlborough, Md.) 1882-1925, 1916-06-02
CHAPTER |.
Beuinnincs.

Beginnings.
"And so you have really made up
your mind, Richard?"
with your consent. mother"
Mrs. Farauhar sighed and tapped an
impatient tattoo on the fender with her
small, welI-shod foot.
''My share in the matter bas not the
slightest Importance. You might have
spared me the farce
Its not a farce; as it happens, l
want your consent. It's true-I'll
marry without it-but it will make all
the difference to my happiness" He
put his head little to one side and
looked at her whimsically. Really.
mother, you are the last person to
you who taught me to adore the sex"
She made no answer. But she
glanced up at the tall Venetian mirror
and her mouth relaxed. She undoubt-
edly possessed charm which made it
seem scarcely credible that the man
beside her was her son. She was small
but beautifully made. She possessed
the nameless quality which excuses
everything and has sent men in all
ages from crime to great place and
from great place to the gallows. Rich
ard Farquhar bore her no resemblance.
though it was conceivable that without
the wig and the coating of powder she
might have revealed a certain similar
ity of coloring. His face and broad
shouldered, narrow -hipped figure re-
vealed race, also yigor aud headstrong
temperament, which peculiar light in
the eyes accentuated At the moment
his expression was gay, but it yelled
excitement and something obstinateiy
resolved.
You are vain old woman" he
said lightly. Il believe you expected
me to be dancing at your apron strings
in blind alteration all my life
81 did nothing of the sort. 1 wanted
you to marry-but not Sylvia Omney.''
He looked at her in unconcealed sur
prise. Possibly her tone was new to
him. 1t was sharp and irrita BILE; it re-
yealed her suddenly as an old woman.
father" he said thoughtfully. Il don't
remember him. and l have never seen
anything of his save an old letter to
you. Here it is From his breast
pocket he took out an old letter COW
cred with yellow, faded writing and
unfolded it. 1T gives me A queer
feeling, too, when l read it, he went
myself-to the woman l loved. He
must have loved you madly. mother.
One feels in every line that you were
q religion TO him-that he would have
sold himself, body and SOUL"
DON'T she interrupted sharply. an
griIy. Then she gave a shrill, unsteady
little laugh
MY poor Richard. Yes. you are like
him-pery like him. But if it's the
wrong woman-what them
''Of course. it must not be the wrong
woman" he said slowly. But my IA
ther chose rightly. as l know have
chosen | have chosen a woman after
his own heart-Sylvia is like you.
mother
Sylvia is like me- She lifted her
faded, still beautiful eyes to his face.
Yes. suppose she is---what men call
womanly woman. God help men
from what they call wOmanly women.
Welr"-she turned away with u care
less. almost contemptuouS movement
of the shoulders-"l can't save you.
Take my blessing. Richard. That's
what you want, isn't it?'
Thank you. l may bring Sylvia to
see you?"
"Of course. Sylvia and get ou very
well. Has anything been heard of the
brotherr'
Il don't think so. But l shall hear
tonight"
Cut his throat probably" She
glanced back at him with curious lit
tie smile on her cOlorless face All the
same, Sylvia is lucky. | am rather
proud of you myself. Richard. You
sre the only man l know who dresses
In perfect taste without looking a vul-
gar noodle Good night"
She kissed him hurriedly is he held
he door open for her. and for an in
.asut she looked up into his face with