The citizen., 1921-05-19

mo'nent tne lhuy was tetnpOrhfiy
absent.
Mother, I'm glad you say that"
the girl answered still very calmly,
although her fingers trembled little
a. she felt the violets, and her voice
was not quite steady. "It shows that
! am not so stupid at home as ! am
at school"
The girl rose and threw down the
violets and her mild and llstless man
ner. A look OF defiance filled her
face and her figure. Mrs. Blng arose,
her eyes aglow with anger.
"Fd like to know what you mean,"
she said under her breath.
II mean that II I am a liar, you
taught me how to be II. Ever sir g
! was knee-hlgh, you have been teach
ing me TO deceive my father I am
not going TO do II any longer. | am
going to find my father and tell him
the truth. | shall not wait another
minute. lie will give me better ad-
vice than you have given, I hope"
The words had fallen rapidly from
her lips and, as the last one was
spoken, she hurried out OF the room.
Mrs. Bing threw herself on the couch
where she lay with certain bitter
memories, until the new maid came
10 tell her that II was time to dress.
She was like one reminded of NOR
tality after coming out Of ether.
"Oh, Lord !" she murmured wearily.
II feel like going TO bed How can
live through that dinner1 Please
bring me some brandy"
Phyllis learned that her father was
at his office, whittier she proceeded
without a moments delay. She sent
In word that she must see him alone
and as soon as possible. He dismissed
the men with whom he had been talk
Ing and invited her into his private
office.
"Well, girl. I guess I know what is
on your mind" he said. "Go ahead"
Phyllis began to cry.
"All right You do the crying
and I'll do the talking" he went on.
II feel like doing the crying myself,
but II you want the job, I'll resign
II to you. Perhaps you can do enough
OF that for both OF us. I began to
smell a rat the other day. So I sent
for Gordon King. He came this morn
ing. ! had a long talk with him. He
told me the truth. Why didn't you tell
me7 What's the good OF having father
unless you use him at times when
his counsel is likely to be worth hav-
ing7 would have made a good
father, II ! had had half a chance. l
should like to have been your friend
and confidant In this important en-
terprise. I should have been a help
TO you. But. somehow. couldn't get
on the board OF directors. You and
your mother have been running the
plant all by yourselves and l guess
it's pretty near bankrupt. Now, my
girl, there's no use crying over split
tears. Gordon King IN not the man
OF my choice, but we must all take
hold and try TO build him up. Per
haps we can make him pay"
81 do not love him." Phyllis sob
bed.
"You married him because you
wanted TO. You we're not coercedT'
"No, sir"
"rm sorry. but you'll have to take
your share OF the crow with the rest
OF u.s." he went on, with a note OF
sternness in his tone. "My girl. when
make contract l live up to Il
and | sntend that you shall do the
same. You'll have TO learn to love
and cherish this fellow, IL he makes
II possible. You and your mother
believe In woman's rights. don't
object TO that, but you mustn't think
that you have the right to break your
agreements unless there's a good rea-
son for II. My girl, the marriage con-
tract Is the most binding and sacred
Of all contracts. want you to do
your best to make this one a success"
There was the tinkle OF the tele-
phone bell. Mr.. Bing put the 70
ceiver to his ear and spoke into the
instrument as follows:
"Yes. she's here! knew all the
facts before she told me. Mr.. De
lanef He's on his way back to New
York. Left on the six-ten. Charged
me TO present his regrets and fare
wells TO you and Phyllis. l thought
II best for him to know and to go
Yes, we're coming right home to dress.
MIR. King will take Mr.. Delane's place
at the table. Wen make a clean
breast OF the whole business. Brace
up and eat your crow with a smiling
face. I'll make little speech and
present Mr. and Mrs. King to our
friends at the end of II. Oh, now.
cut out the sobbing and leave this un-
finished business to me and don't
worry. Wen be home in three min
utes."