Roanoke Rapids herald. [volume] (Roanoke Rapids, N.C.) 1914-192?, 1921-03-18
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marriage Marjorie lamented tear
fully.
sWhy not?" Tom asked, kissing the
pretty, pouting lips.
@ Because he'll say that you can't
support me-" she cried. sand III
never be happy with anyone else"
IAN right, dearest. I'll 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.
80 you want to marry my daugh-
tery' was the quick question.
II do, sir" 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 90 ahead II she
wants to without 1t, but l 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.
"Td gladly share crust with you,
dear" she told Tom on one of the
occasions when they met.
81 guess I could buy two Of Them"
he said doggedly. 1t was hard to be
called a pauper, when he was earning
a fair salary, was not dissipated, and
was working day and night to attain
his cherished object.
u didn't mean that, dear she
sobbed, clinging to him.
II 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-
factory state when Mr. Graham was
invited to be one Of the speakers at
a banquet given visiting dignitary
He was surprised to find Tom at the
same table with himself; in fact, to
ind him there at all, but he did not
know that Tom was 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 drlfted 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. II he had
gone deeply into the reason ii 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 youf"
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
to the noisy conversation
Of the group.
"Then what makes you such a poor
sportF" continued the young man, who
had evidently been drinking too much.
"Me? Oh, don't drink because ]
don't care for It, that's all. The next
lay headache seems too high a price
10 pay for somewhat questionable
pleasure the night before" and he
aughed easily, then added;
"Come on, Bob; let's 20 home"
you're afraid to drink. ] dare you
% take drink, just one TO show you
Inow how" and the tone was so taunt-
ng that Mr.. Graham fully expected
% see Tom turn with his friend into
he cafe; but that young man only
aughed again, and throwing his arm
ABOUT the shoulder or HE tempter,
'aid quietly:
you're coming with me" and man
,ged to get him away from the con
rival crowd.
MFR, Graham jammed his hat down
IN his head and went home. For a
'ull hour he studied over the matter,
with the result that the next evening
ne sent for Tom. When that aston
shed but delighted young man ar
lived, he told him briefly.
Take my girl. Tn satisfied. A
nan who can control himself can al
ways control others. | need you In
ny business"
Il need him. too, father" Marjorie
whispered delightedly.
With his arm about Marjorie. Tom