The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1922-02-28

poverty stricken son-in-law ana Q.
course he wouldn't give me a job Fe
never seen your tad, but know Jus.
how he'd act and l couldn't plane
him."
Madge said nothing, but hurried
Harry out of the house and down the
pleasant little street to an ancient
frame building.
The stairway was dark. Harry's
arm slipped around Madge's waist as
they went upstairs, and at the top. is
the semi darkness, their lips met in a
kiss.
The office into which Madge direct
ed Harry was old. but clean. 1t was
comfortably filled with bookcases and
filing cases and chairs and a roll top
desk. At the latter sat a stalwarr,
keen-looking. pleasant-faced old man
with snow-white hair but sharp gray
eyes.
This is Harry-Harry Jennings"
said Madge. "He-he's the man I
told you about"
The old man at the desk rose and
shook hands with Harry while gazing
at him sharply A smile came to the
old mans face.
I'm pleased to meet you. Harry
said the old man; sit down here"
The old man indicated a seat near
his desk and drew up another for
rather gingerly.
"Madge has told me all about you,-s
said the old man. II know Just how
you feel. I felt much the same wav
years ago when | married my wife I
didn't have much of a start in those
| days. and her folks were wealthy
! When 1 married her I went to work
for her dad, and believe me, worked.
probably worked a lot harder be-
4 cause l had married a rich mans
daughter than L would have worked
otherwise. And 1 made good a lot
sooner on that account than 1 would
/ have done otherwise. Did you ever
stop TO think that you might also work
! harGer and make good sooner be-
cause of marrying Il rich mans daugh-
! ter than you would otherwise ?"
''No. hadn't thought of that" sid
Harry, thoughtfully.
II guess you're a lot like me-" went
! on the old man. Il thought only OF
myself in the matter-of the humilfa-
ton of forks saying l was q fortune
| hunter and all that, didn't think at
first about the pain and sorrow Ia
! cause my sweetheart by my false pride
in not marrying her in spite of her
money. Have you thought about the
pain and sorrow you'd cause Madge by
going away-hy letting your pride get
the better of you ?"
A look of surprise and anxiety came
into Harry's face.
would it really hurt you more to
have me go away than to stay and
seem to marry you for your money?
demanded Harry. gazing at Madge.
Yes" said Madge softly.
Then if you're the sort of man
you look TO be-" said the old man.
you'll stuff your false pride in your
pocket, marry Madge, go to work for
her dad and prove that you've got the
right stuff in you by working like sin
land making good just as quick as you
cam"
Madge with her heart in her eyes,
gaZed at Harry.
"This-this relative of mine is old
and wise, Harry" she pleaded. Don't
don't spoil both our lives"
For an instant Harry returned her
gaze, a great light in his eyes. Then
he leaned to her and folded her in his
arms. For an instant they embraced.
Then Harry looked UP at the old man
with renewed anxiety.
This is all very fine" said Harry
suddenly. but what will Madge's
father say? I wouldn't blame him Il
bit for throwing me out of the house.
At this the old man rose and patted
Harry kindly on the shoulder.
That's all right. son." said the old
man with real affection in his voice,
I'm Madge's dad"'
And. smiling kindly at them.
! Madge's dad turned and hurried from
the room.
Copyright 1922, by the Mcclure
Newspaper Syndicate)