Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1918-07-07

was no necessity of your stopping. you
might, at least. seem to show interest
III "hat concerns Milton
might but | won't" exclaimed
inc Siri. She threw her nun ia The
pea ana faced her mother ITS just
mat very thing want TO speak TO you
about No. don't look surprised or
shocked. o" any Of those things. for
It's no use. may AS well tell the
truth' m tired OF being engaged TO
.hlitoh. lie borcs me. SO does his
'atncr. so does everything connected
with the marriage.'
Dropping onto chair she buried
her Face in her hands and burst into
tears.
Mrs. Livingstone sat up on the couch
anu looked at her in Amusement. Dora
had often seemed mildly rebellious.
but II was new for her to show such
passionate protest about anything.
The lace OF this woman OF the world
hardened. Why need tho child make
such IA scene now. just when the wed-
uihS pans were progressing so salts
factOrily?
a Command
Dora the rnairon's voice was
stern. stop that crying. IL is be-
cause you are ovcrtircd that you feel
hKe this. You have been doing too
nuch-w!th all your social affairs.
shopping, fittings and so forth added
''"' "hAietS rest your plans Should
be upset by Mr.. Van Saun's illness
BESIDES all this. Milton has been so
much absorbed in his father that he
mas not been with YOU as much as
usual and you have missed him. All
these conditions have combined to de-
s'roy your sense OF proportion. Now
stop crying"
TKe girl obeycd. lifting her face
| from her hand sand wipng away her
tears. But her eyes had a look in
them that her mother did not like
Could IL be defiance?
THAT Is more sensible" Mrs. Living
stone approved Take off Your ha,
and coat and we will talk quietly
until you feel more like yourself
Then you must go to your room and
lie down for a while
Il don't need to lie down" Dora said
removing her hat and coat and toss
ing them on the bed by her mum
Then. seating herself again, She spok.
more calmly.
Mother. why do you want me to
marry Milton"
The mother assumed an expression
OF well-bre:. establishment
You ask me why want YOU "a
! mary Milton. Dora, when | had moth.
ing TO do with it? You and he became
engaged. naturally. because you cared
! for each other"
Because IL was expected OF us and
! we liked better" the girl corrected
We thought that was all that wa.
| necessary. But there should be some.
thing more. mother. There should be
! love"
Her voice dropped TO a lower Ike,
and her mother frowned.
You know that Milton loves Won
| Dora" Then. with "A note of anxiety
! has he not told you so often
| enough"
Dora nodded. oh. suppose so. a,
least he has acknowledged that h,
him unless he cared for me. But
/ mother, suppose l don't care for him
/ The Father Comes In.
/ But you do" Her mother spoke
I decidedly and quickly Il will not al!
low you to yield TO such ridi.uiou.
ranches All" with an expression U
relief. here is your father"
As her husband entered the room
Mrs. Livingstone made "A swift resolve
! She would strike while the iron wa:
/ hot.
stephen" she explained. this chill,
she does not love Milton as much n.
/ he loves her. This is all fooiisi
! fancy"
| Stephen Livingstone was quick
| wit'ed and was also in the habit OF
/ following his wife's lead. His daush
/ thoroughly satisfactory TO him. Mil
| ton was an only son. His father wa:
wealthy and in Ill health.
silly girl" the father laughed, pat
| ing his daughters head as If she hat
hcen four years of age. "Of coucs,
Milton loves you better than you love
nun. He ought to- | wager | loved
your mother better than she loved mt
when we married. But look at us"'
Il wish you would not try TO joke
the matter off, father" she said.
nave been doing my best TO max,
mother understand that l do not care
TO get married yet"
And L." her father said. al! signs OF
amusement disappearing from his man.
nee. refuse TO listen TO such hystcrica
nonsense. Don't make me ASHAMED
Of my unusually sensible daughter
Dora. Your mother and ] will try to
! forget this absurd scene, and you will
do the same. The only excuse for i,
Is the one your dear mother has prob
ably made for you-that you arc over.
tired and overweight. am sure you
! regret your exhibition of nervousness
as much as we do. So let US say nc
more about it,"