The silver state. [volume] (Winnemucca, Nev.) 1909-1925, 1917-11-20
She Spoke for
Herself
By ADlE oLcOTT

Copyright 1917. western Newspaper Union
Reverend Doctor Febiger, rector of
st. Marks church, received just
enough salary to keep the wolf from
the rectory door. Born in England,
he had brought with him to America
the traditions of the Anglican church
as well as English social customs. His
oldest child, Lucy, eighteen years old,
did most Of the homework for the
family. She could prepare a tea for
her fathers parishioners and appear at
the table as neat in her appearance as
if she had been crocheting.
One morning she was finishing put
ting to rights the living roo when
there was a ring at the door bell. Her
father was In the hail and opened the
door before Lucy could beat d retreat.
She therefore ~ensconced herself be-
hind one of the double doors that sep
arated the living room from the dining
room, hoping that the visitor was some
vender of wares and would not be
admitted, but fearing a different re-
suit. She heard the voice of a young
man who had paid her some attention,
which was very grateful TO her.
"Good morning, Doctor Febiger. Can
l have a few words with your
Certainly, Mr.. Edgerton; step this
way, please"
The rector led the way into the liv-
ing room, thus cornering Lucy behind
the door. She considered making a
dash to get away but decided other
wise. She was dressed for dirty work,
but she looked as pretty in such APP
parel as when in her only nice gown.
Shame at being caught in such a po.
sition was what chiefly detained her.
However, as soon as the conversation
between the men opened curiosity
overruled all else. Mr.. Edeerton, who
spoke first, was much fiustered:
"Mr. Febiger," he said, you are an
Englishman?'
81 am" was the prompt reply.
81 don't blame you, sir. England is
a great country"
1.-The greatest in the world"
Naturally you cling to the customs
of the land Of your BIRTH
Naturally"
Especially In the matter of court.
ship and marriage?"
Doctor Febiger again assented, this
time with some apparent curiosity as
to the drift of Mr.. Edgerton's re-
marks.
"In England, l believe" continued
the caller, "when a gentleman desires
the hand of a lady he proposes to her
father-I mean he asks his permits
sion to marry her-that is he does no
wooing-"
Mr.. Edgerton being quite tangled up
In his words, stopped, pressed his
handkerchief over his brow, and be-
gan again:
mn. Febiger, l very much admire
your daughter Lucy. I will make
a statement regarding my family, In.
come, and then ask your permission
to win her"
Lucy clasped her hands In delight
her father looked somewhat crest.
fallen at the mere suggestion of los
ing any member of his family, espe-
cially Lucy, and remarked coldly that
the sutton was pursuing a very hon.
orable course Mr.. Edgerton went
on:
81 am of good American stock. My
ancestors were pioneers, and pioneers
were men and women to accomplish
things. / have some property left me
by my grandmother, which pays NE
$500 a year. But / don't need to
trust to this income, since my salary
Of $1,000 a year is sufficient for two per
sons to live on. / can support a wife,
and allow my inheritance to ccum
late, giving as / have always done, ten
per cent to charity"
Lucy expected to see her father
throw his arms about her sutton and
speak words something like the fol.
lowing: Noble man, your conduct Is
In the highest degree honorable. / can
only wonder that you care to wed with
n SO unworthy of you as my daugh.
ter" What was her disappointment.
uer HOTTOrt 10 near ner IdLner say
II very much regret, Mr.. Edgerton, to
tell you that ii would be absolutely
impossible for me to part with Lucy
at the present time. There are eve
of us In the family, and the salary al
lowed me by the church is barely suffi.
cient to supply our needs. Lucy is
the mainstay of the household. With.
out her the younger children would be
lacking a mother, for my wife is an
invalid. Were Ii not for these facts, ]
would gladly accede to your request
as 1t is, / beg you not to speak of mar
riage to our treasure of the house,
hold"
Lucy in her hiding place managed
to preserve silence. MI. Edgerton
spoke again, and she became intent
upon what he said:
MY dear Mr.. Febiger, 1t would be
sheer robbery for me to take away
from you so valuable a mainstay.
Thouoh II hraaks nv heart I will do