The Meridian times. (Meridian, Idaho) 1909-1938, 1922-02-24

Inns ,ngers, and shs stopped 10 paeis
It up.
sIf I lead Marcus on." she saggsstJ
ed rising, '.and-&nd get him 70 ask|
me TO marry him. will you give me any
sum OF money ] wantY"
Her voice shook with emotion, an&
her young face seemed suddenly OLD
ana haggard. Mrs Rcbertson had
never seen her daughtes I'm such d
state.
aSit down minute. Evelyn" shs
commanded. 4Now tell me- what yow
want money for. ! know very well
that you haven't spent what I've als
lowed you upon yourself. That's Wig
I'VE refused you so much lately. Ne
more secrets or mysteryI want the
facts. Now tell me this minute
The girl dropped into chair ana
buried her face In her hands.
II can't" she whispered.
For some time she remained In ths
same attitude, while her mother
studied her silently. At length tina
girl lifted herself erect.
Il can't explain" she broke our.
"and suppose you're thinking all
kinds OF things. can't help 1t IL You
do. You'll have to give me the money
I need, II you want me to marry Marc.
There's no ifs and 'ands' about that.
II you'll give me the money''-she fall
tered. wiped her lips and concluded
slowly, "T'll marry Marcus MacKen-
zie."
"You must be crazy, Eve" Mrs. Rob
ertson said In cold voice. ito talk to
me like that. II you have any secrets
from me, It's time you told them"
"Well?' shot from Evelyn sharply.
suppose havef It's my secret, isn't
iti Are you going to help me or not,
that's the question:
1t was evident to Mrs. Robertson
that the situation was not to be trifed
with. In twinkling her daughter
had changed from meek and timid
girl to an aggressive woman. To try
to bully her any more would be mere
waste Of effort.
Heavens" she began, "this ga
pretty how to do, l must say. can't
imagine why you should want money.
1t doesn't make much difference, any
way. There are more reasons than
one why yeu can't get 1t from me-"
''What are they?" fell from the girls
lips.
"The first u.s." returned the mother,
tartly, Il don't like being held up In
this high-handed manner by my own
daughter"
She paused; and Evelyn caught her
breath. If that were all, she would
row and rage until she got what she
wanted.
Mother and daughter were staring
at one another, each demanding an ex-
PLANTATION. Evelyn did not intend to
make any! Mrs. Robertson weakened
before the steely-blue In the girls
eyes. .n
But the main reason is" she went
on, u haven't got it. I don't own this
house, nor-nor--"
Evelyn sprang to her feet and con-
fronted her mother. Her face was
drawn into cruel lines, and her hands
were gripped spasmodically.
You lie," she burst forth. you've
always lied to me about money.n
A bitter smile drew down the cor
ners of the older woman's mouth She
knew how true the accusation was.
well, this time" she answered,
I'm telling you the simple truth. 1
not only do not own this house, but
Then who does own it," interject-
ed the girl.
Your cousin, Robert PercivaI," was
the quick response; "and he's supplied
all the money we have used. Nov
perhaps you won't try to get some-
thlng out of me haven't got"
Mother" cried the girl, In agony.
told you, Eve, that you should
hilo" the TRUTH" Mrs. Robertson con-
tinued. you've asked for 1t, and here
IS When Roberts father and
mother died, came here to take care
OF MIN. had nothing then and have
nothing now. You were only q babv
ana I've always kept the facts from
you when Robert went to war, he
arranged that If he didn't come hack
should have the home and enough
money to keepus."
h'elvhs eyes widened. OF surety
this was the truth.
| linen we prnpbf =, ~. o,t
ed huskily. e utiaAu-
mo, that we're mott" responded tha
lauy and what's more, we are do.
pendent upon Robert for everything !.
with quick gesture EVELYN cauqh+
ner mothers arm, despair cbannsna
the lines on her face.
On you needn't be so theatrical
my uear' said the woman. "Robert,s
never given me the slightest reason 70
,eei ne thought us burden. I'm onite
me ms mother, as should be. The
I N i. !