The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1921-11-04
TIE DAILY
SHORT STORY
David's Mother
BY cLAaIssA mAcklE.

to the floor and patted neE ~
chiffon shoulder with capaois-looN'
Ing sun.browned hand,
There, mother, don't bother 100
much about tit Isn't quite 80 a
as dying" she laughed pleasantly
hut there was a hard gleam IN her
bright blue eyes.
Her father regarded her in
whirIed on him, impatiently.
"Well?" she asked cEIsply. What
40 yo,, think about 1t, Mon PEREZ
The marriage OF your only child to
"a honest young man
NY chauffeur" he interrupted
: Sternly.
Poor. honest and haEdsome--you
cannot deny that!
He shrugged. III you are willing
Ia sacrifice YOUR position in socie-
ty-tho loss OF your friends-why,
yoIr mother and l will consent. You
know that we want you 10 be happy
and a well beloved wife, above all
Mrs, Temple was sobbing quietly,
her proud white head bowed IN her
hands.
The girl looked from one to the
other. her mouth SGT mutinously.
All her life these parents had de
MED her nothing. and now her row
ing fancy had been attracted to the
handsome Young chauffeur. II was
David Ceer who had held himself
aloog from the dazzling daughter OF
the house, but there anne a time
when social position. money and all
the barriers OF birth and breeding
we're forgotten. And now, Edith
was asking thcIn for consent to her
marriages. mesalliauCe which
would startle society and make a
nine days scandal for the public
prints.
well. dears." she said slowly. a
curious little smile edginG her lips,
81 want to be happy want you'
consent, too. but
"Stl1 mean you will marry With
or without It," interrupted her faith
err dryly.
Il never loved any one else" she
admitted almost sullenly.
"You are willing to sacrifice
much for his sake??"
The blue eyes blaZed. Yes" she
said quietly. I'm sorry it couldn't
have been Peterby Ross OF Marshall
Fl&ming-but. dears, love is so er.
,ratfc!" She bent and kissed her
mothers White hair.
The door opened and 4 fOoLman
/ entered, glazing h%aughtiiy at a short
stout woman who followed him
closely.
mrs. Geer calling, madam" he
Shoked and stumbled awkward!N
from theyroom.
Mrs. Temple lifted her head aud
gszed with Ianguid surprise at the
s5plafnIy dressed country woman who
stood Squarely in the midle of the
Mr.. Temple placed a chair
and wondered why the woman had
not gone around TO the servants
entrance.
NO, thank you. sir. I won't sit
down" she said in q determined
tone. and with n hostile glance al
the paleG girl near the table. Il came
to talk to you about my boy Da
S"pavid?" The nan and woman
were startled into attention.
YES, he's your chaufseur-he
wants to marry your daugh.
ter-he told me last night"
ut is-impossible!" broke out
Mrs. Temple.
Mrs. Geer nodded emrhatically,
~ told him that-they would never
be happy for q moment"
"Of course I would do my best for
them" began Mr.. Temple heavily.
as he saw Ediths' bewiIdercd face,
'She is my only child and will. some
day, inherit a grent deal OF money
and that, in itself, brings respon'
sibilities." =,
"Mcre responsibility than happi'
ness" said Mrs. Geer, sharply. i've
told the boy he's a foOl-what )
i more, he'll lose a good chauffering
Y Job in the bargain"
Mrs. Temple smiled through her
tears. "Of course none OF our
friends would want to employ
Edith's husband, in that capacity;
ii would be most awkward"
. MS. Geer turned beAdy brown
eyes on the beautifully gowned
/ woman, on her short skirt, her dain.
ty gray silk hose and shoes, on the
Jewels that blazed on her fingers.
Her eyes darted to Edith. daintily
attired in an expensive frock, scan
ming the naughty young face and
the hostile eyes.
Els that the girl?" she asked
sharply. -,
Edith drew herself to her full
height. and turned her head aside.
Mrs. Geer shook her head II
won't have my boy marrying into
any rich family" she said quietly.
"This girl would only be a burden
to him-why, she couldn't cook and
sew or wash and iron. and she GER
tainly couldn't take care Of chick.
{ens-"
~ could learn to do It," interrupt.
ed Edith. II have learned more diff
ficultI tasks. Ny mother did it for
INV father when he was a poor
Young mau-she has told me sol"
Mrs. Geer's eyes sought Mrs. TEN
ple's face and that OF her husband.
The two were looking at each other
with reminiscent smiles. al think
Won might be more human than
some rich folks" said David's moth.
or bluntly.
HWc loved each other, said Mrs.
Nh thple softly, land It has held
Through the years
"My David loves your daughter,
but we Gecrs are proud-we come
~ r1o0d stock. Int We've bnen moor