Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1921-06-08
His Victory
By MURIEL BLAIR
70. 1921. Western Newspaper Union.)

fully.
why not?" Tom asked, kissing the
pretty, pouting lips.
Because he'll say that you can't
support me-" she cried. And I'll
never be happy with anyone else"
"All right, dearest, III try and see
what he says right now" and before
Marjorie could demonstrate he went
| into the house, for the two had been
out on the veranda and, guided by the
| light under which Mr.. Graham was
reading his evening paper, soon put
| the case before him.
$50 you want to marry my daugh-
ter?' was the quick question.
| Il do, sin" Tom replied. 'She's
| dear and sweet enough to make every
! one want to do that"
Mr.. Graham shook his head. mo,
Tom" he said decidedly, Marjorie
can't marry any man who has moth
ing more than you, with my consent.
OF course she can go ahead if she
wants to without it, but | don't think
she WILL" and no amount of pleading
would change him. He and his wife
had married on very small salary.
and he always felt that her early
death was caused by the hardships
she went through before he was earn
ing enough to take care of her proper
ly.
Marjorie fretted, but to no purpose.
Occasionally she saw Tom, but always
felt she was wrOnging her father in
doing so. Tom worked and saved, but
seemed to make no progress in his
suit
Mr.. Graham was unhappy, too. He
liked Tom, but felt that his daughter
was worthy of someone who had al
ready made his mark in the world,
and so would not give his consent.
I'D gladly share crust with you,
dear" she told Tom on one of the
occasions when they met.
II guess l could buy two Of Them"
he said doggedly. 1t was hard to be
called a pauper, when he was earning
fair salary, was not dissipated, and
was working day and night to attain
his cherished object.
II didn't mean that, dear" she
sobbed, clinging to him.
~ know, sweetheart" he said sad
ly. 81 guess it's just another phase of
the high cost of living" and once
more he set himself to solve the
problem of how to overcome the op-
position of his father-in-law to be.
Matters were in this very unsatis-
invited to be one of the speakers at
banquet given visiting dignitary.
He was surprised to find Tom at the
same table with himself; in fact, to
find him there at all, but he did not
know that Tom was a friend of the
son of the man who had originated
the banquet, which would have ex-
planned his presence.
The affair passed off agreeably, the
great parsonage departed, and some Of
the visitors drifted into the lobby Of
the hotel, Mr.. Graham among them.
After receiving congratulations upon
his well -chosen speech, which was one
of the best of the evening, his atten-
ton was attracted towards some
what noisy group over in one corner
and seeing Tom among them he saun-
tered in their direction. If he had
gone deeply into the reason, it would
have been that he was trying to find
full justification for his attitude to-
ward the young man.
AS he came up, one of the number,
the son of Toms employer, was say.
ing tauntingly:
afraid to drink, are your"
Mr.. Graham remembered that he
had noticed that Toms wine glasses
had been turned down during the ban
quet.
NO" Tom said quietly, and Mr..
Graham realized that Tom was not
contributing to the noisy conversation
of the group.
"Then what makes you such poor
sport?" continued the young man. who
had evidently been drinking too much.
"Me? Oh, l don't drink because
don't care for it, that's all. The next
day headache seems too high price
to pay for a somewhat questionable
pleasure the night before" and he
laughed easily, then added:
"Come on, Bob; let's go home"
you're afraid to drink. l dare you
| to take drink, just one to show you
| know how" and the tone was so taunt
ing that Mr.. Graham fully expected
to see Tom turn with his friend into
the cafe; but that young man only
laughed again, and throwing his arm
about the shoulder Of his tempter
said quietly
| you're coming with me-" and man
aged to get him away from the con
vivial crowd.
Mr.. Graham damned his hat dowr
on his head and went home. For {
full hour he studied over the matter
With the result that the next evenin:
he sent for Tom. When that aston