The Dolores star., 1918-10-18
BEING A HEROINE
BY VINCENT G. PERRY.

from Scales, the butler, and waved
aside the latter's attempt to assist him.
He was ungry-more angry than Scales
had ever seen him. and that was one
way of venting II. After the door had
closed Scales sat down to enjoy his
luugh he had been suppressing.
He and Miss Geraldine have been
havin' tiff again. but it's little
worse than usual" he chuckled. Il
wonder what new idea she has been
1outin' on him. now
As Sanford walked his anger abated.
By the time he reached home he was
able to see the humorous side OF IL.
What dear. little. ridiculous thing
she is" he muttered thoughtfully. III
some of those ideas of hers don't get
her into trouble I'll be surprised"
The week passed and Geraldine did
not hear from Sanford. She told her
self she was glad she didn't. She was
skipping through the most Interesting
part of novel-just where the
heroine had sacrificed her jewels to
buy bread for her starving father and
crippled brother-when her own father
came into the room.
"My dear" her father began. sitting
down beside her. Il have favor to
ask you-a very great favor, one that
Will change your whole life"
Yes, father?" she gasped, for al
"I-I-l-" he hesitated as II In
doubt, but finally went on. II would
like you to marry"
is that the favor?" she asked In
disappointment.
Yes, that Is the favor, and 1t makes
tell you that now you believe you don't
love the man l have chosen and that
must not tell you his name until the
day Of your marriage. 1t will spare
me great unhappiness If you make
this marriage-sucrifice yourself to my
Wishes"
Il will do anything for you, father
anything" 1t was speech from one
of her popular novels, but she did not
realize 1t.
But being a martyr was not the
grand thing it appeared In novels.
Geraldine began to think after she
had become accustomed to the Idea of
1t. AS the day approached for her to
marry the man she had never seen, she
began to wonder If she hadn't been too
hasty in offering herself for the sacri-
fee.
The night before her wedding day
arrived. Her clothes were beautiful.
but that did not interest her. What
mockery it was to have big wedding,
she thought. Somehow her mother and
father did not seem concerned about
her. They appeared to consider the
affair a wonderful one for her instead
Of a great unhappiness. Surely they
could see she was unhappy, although
she had carried out the heroine's role
to finish and hidden it from them.
Oh, If there was only some one she
could tell her troubles to and receive
comfort from! There was some one,
the only one who would listen sympa-
thetically, and no matter what he or
anyone else thought, she was going to
tell him all. she decided, and went to
the telephone before her courage failed
her.
1t was very plaintive and meek
voice that Sanford Ross heard over
the wire. please come, Sanford.
want you," was all 1t said, but he
recognized 1t as Geraldine's, and that
was enough. He arrived at the
O'Connor home in record time.
She did not mind when he took her
in his arms and she cried out her
troubles on his shoulder.
"Oh, l am so unhappy, and being
heroine Is the worst thing | ever tried
to do! ! hate sacrifices and was
never meant for martyr" she walled.
"Of course you weren't, dear, and /
knew 1t all along. but you've been
little brick" he comforted. "If had
known you would have taken 1t so
seriously l would not have allowed
your father to play this trick on you.
l am all to blame. Jerry dear. 1t is all
my fault"
"Your fault. Sandford?" She
stopped sobbing and looked at him in
wonder.
Yes. l am the man you would
have met at the altar tomorrow.
knew | would never be able to get you
there until you were satisfied by max.
Ing some kind of sacrifice"
But father told me"
HE didn't tell you very much, dear"
her father said. as he stepped into the
room. He just told you one little fib
and you took the rest for granted"
Two fibs, father" she corrected,
smiling through her tears. "You said
l had never met him, and 1t would
save you from great unhappiness."
$50 1t WILL" her father smiled, know.
ingly. Il knew you loved Sandford.
and 1t would have made me unhappy IL
you had rejected him because Of a silly
little notion about heroines and such
things. But you have been heroine.
Jerryln