Catoctin clarion., 1918-01-17
That Bill for
Flowers
BvF. A. mitchell
'1Copyright. 1917. Western Newspaper Union.

Vide for such condition as you and
Dick"
Mr.. Larramore was stalled.
"What l wish to say" he continued.
'gs that l have the same feeling for
you as If you were my own daughter"
eyes, uncle"
II have enough to leave you comfort
able when l come to the Jumping OF
place and I have enough to leave Dick
comfortable, but If divide the prop
erty between you both there is not
enough to make either comfortable"
"Then, uncle, 1t is your duty to leave
your property to your own son..
"Why can't leave 1t to you and him
as one person?
ut Is impossible"
"Dick would rather would leave 1t
to you jointly. He"
SNOW, uncle, I know what you mean.
I've heard it all from Dick. Dick and l
have always been brother and sister
and such we'll always be-"
This ended the fathers attempt to
help his son to secure the wife that
son wanted. Dick Larramore was en-
gagged in business In another city ana
seldom visited his home, so his foster
sister was not troubled with his atten-
tions. Six months after this attempt
of his father to make match between
the two Grace said to her uncle:
"What's the matter with Dick? He
has never let so long time 60 by before
without coming home for visit"
II think some girl is keeping him.
Grace looked grave.
''I shouldn't be surprised" continued
Mr.. Larramore, ito hear any day that
he Is engaged
"Why do you think soT"
swell, you know Dicks salary is not
very large and he occasionally falls
back upon me. The other day he sent
me a bill for flowers"
"Oh! I see."
The subject was not pressed further.
A few days later Dick received letter
from his cousin-foster sister chidlng
him for remaining away from home SO
long without visit His father was
very much hurt at his sons neglect OF
him.
This letter brought Dick home for
the next weekend. He had an inter-
view with his father at which the lat
ter denied that he considered his son
neglectful of him and commended him
for standing by his business. The old
man went to bed early and Dick spent
the rest Of the evening with Grace.
''Who Is this person you're sending
flowers tor asked Grace in cold tone.
II wouldn't send flowers to person,
would only send them to an attrac-
tive girl"
There was q brief silence between
them which was broken by Grace.
"Do you think you have right to
marry when your father is getting old
and needs your attention."
"He isn't getting my attention. You
are taking care Of him and doing 1t far
better than l could. l supposed you
were to remain single as long as he
lives"
"How very self-sacrificing you are"
! >sarcastically.
"It's self-sacrificing of you. I've
heard you say often that you were go
ing to be an old maid for dads sake"
II suppose after dear uncle's death
you will bring this woman you're 60
Ing to marry into the house and shall
have to vacate?"
"Tm not going to marry" this WON.
an. "If marry shall marry lovely
girl"
"Supposing-" Grace said with great
seriousness, "supposing that / should
die before your father, do you suppose
be would be able to put up with
strange person who you would bring
into the house to take my placer
"But you're not going to die, and
I'm not going to bring strange per-
SON. into this house"
II don't know; I've had queer feel.
ings about my heart lately"
"You don't mean 1t; who Is the cad
who is making the trouble with your
hearth
"You know very we'll that I don't
mean 1t in that sense at all. II l did
you would not be the person to refer to
my lover as cad"
"Why not?"
"You know very well that l would
not do what you are going to do. If
marry, uncle will be perfectly satisfied
to have me marry and approve Of the
gentleman who is to be my husband
"Oh! he Is to be q gentleman. Is
he?"
"He has one fault"
"Whats that?'
"He is very unfeeling: he doesn't
seem to realize what noble. good IA
ther he has"
Dick opened his eyes very wide and
looked up at the ceiling; Grace's eyes
were glued to the floor. Presently
Dick said:
(which, being interpreted, means
that you are willing to sacrifice your
self to dads desires"
II will marry no man who does not
love me-"
"And I will marry no girl who does
not love me-"
The dialogue here came to an abrupt
end, for Dick caught her In his arms
and sealed her lips with kisses.
The next morning when Mr.. LARA
more came downstairs his son grasped
his hand and said feelingly:
"A million thanks, dad"
"All fixed?"
'sYes, that story about the bill for
flowers did It"
II thought It would"
Suitable Place,