Gilpin observer., 1919-11-06
For Better
or Worse
(copyright.)
By HENRY KIRK


about upon tables that lined three
sides of the room.
There were little round boxes, and
large square ones piled with gllttering
things-in one rope Of pearls, In
another a collar of diamonds.
The girl to whom these things be
longed sat very still and stared at
them. There was no light of triumph
In her eyes. no joy of possession that
one might think should be there. She
showed no satisfaction. no supreme
elation. She was almost a thing of
stone.
She looked over them all as II they
did not exist. as If they were not even
thought of, and the shining collar in
its velvet box threw no light into
her eyes.
A man who had been standing by
the window turned carelessly.
You'll have to send them back,
won't your he said. The girl did not
look at him. Miserable business, but
it's the thing to do. Wonder what
they'll say!" He took up 4 sapphire
brooch. "Mrs. Olin Winthrop! Mrs.
Olin will say, Thank heaven, can
use this again." The girl did not
move. For heavens sake, old girl.
why don't you look up"
my dear Fred, you will be good
enough to remember that this Is not
your wedding"
"Nor yours, either" the man laughed.
'"I don't see anything funny In
thatw
"You know why you're going to do
itr'
Yes. I know that"
"Welli"
And I'm going to do I'll"
"What's all the fuss about. then?"
A man with iron gray hair and
gray eyes came into the room.
Father, wish you would insist
upon Fred being little more decent" I"
She got up and went to the window.
The young fellow started after her.
"MaYion, I'm not doing anything.
What's upf think we're all con-
cerned in this little strategy upon an
equal footing"
"What 10 itr'
Nothing. dad. was only-trying
to-cheer Marion up q little"
"You don't seem to have gone about
II in the right way. Marion"
"Yssr"
"Come here" The girl went to her
father.
"Bayliss il repeating his fathers
game. All day he has been at it
pushing me to the wall-and when he
has me there, making me 90 upon my
knees to him. Well, have you moth
ing to sayr'
The girl looked at her father with
cold eyes. "What may say? / am
going to do this thing tomorrow. 1
am going to deny him at the altar in
the presence Of my friends and his
frends-of the whole world, as far
as that goes!"
ut is your duty"
yes, father, and I shall not shirk
It. For you-but what will become of
me! What man would care to ask me
to marry him after had done such a
thingw
II say, Marion -
"Well, Fred Story. would you?
Would you go to girl who had re-
fused a man at the altar, shamed him,
humiliated him In the most horrible
manner possible"
His father almost ruined your
father-nearly disgraced himl Is that
something to forget? And the hate Of
that man IL In his son. l hate him
40 much as he hated me. The whole
Bayliss tribe-for fifty years they have
been in my way, and this boy is doing
the same thing his father did-no,
only trying to do 1t. for shall have
him where l wish him."
Don't get melodramatic, dad; you
know very well Billy BaylIss isn't that
bad, although it's crude enough as It
IL. Marion will turn him down tomor-
row-then we will call 1t square. DO
you take this man7-Not on your life
Bling wedding ring thrown upon
hoor-Exit naughty Marion Story
amid the applause of the gallery and
the Kisses Of the opposing faction! !"
Four girls came gully into the room.
Marion" said ohe OF them, "Tve
brought the girls to see the things.
You've met my father; my brother
Fred7 Aren't they simply glorious?
Just look at this collarr
Miss Story waited In her fathers
urawing-rOOm for the man she had
promised to marry.
He would come to her In moment,
with violets or some other delicate
offering.
Her romance with VIII Bayllss had
begun six years before, when they were
little more than children.
The opposition of their parents had
made little difference.
She had loved this man with all her
thought. but now 1t seemed to have