Capital journal. (Salem, Or.) 1919-1980, 1922-12-05
Mary's Pledge

Malcolm Starmount was silent for
a few moments counting up his mis-
takes and feeling the first grip of
remorse that had ever come to him.
He got up and put his hand on
his friends shoulder. "You know,
Ted, I never touched that Tenant
He was hit by the door first and
then the statue, That is true as
God is my judge"
Theodore Parker whirled quick
| ly. He took both Starmount's hands
in his. "Why, Nal, l think that is
the unkindest thing you ever said
to me. You and l who have been
almost inseparable since you left
college. You need not protest to me,
Nal. I never dreamed for an instant
that you were not telling the truth.
Don't worry about it."
ooh, that's all right, Ted. You
think, of course, that I'M acting
queerly in making this will but ]
am not going to shuttle off and | am
going to get out of this thing all
right. Let's talk of something else
"Tomorrow-or today, it must be
most daylight am going to have
the best doctors in town out her.
and if necessary | am going to send
Mary's mother anywhere's on earth
where she will get well. And Ted
! am going to turn that lads feet
back where they belong
"And MaryF" put In Theodore
Parker with peculiar glance which
Starmount did not notice.
"Oh, Mary! She is great child,
isn't she, Ted9' The first buoyancy
that Starmount had shown that eve
ming was in his voice. well, since
you have asked me, I'll have to tell
you l don't know what I'll do for
Mary. I am inclined to think that
it will be anything her little heart |
desires, or anything that big Irish
man thinks is good for her.
Don't try to dissuade me Ted. |
I'm on my way to something decent
for once in my life and I'll get
there if haven't started too late
"Let's go to bed. Sleep ON what
I have told you, Ted, and you will
see I'm right. think I'll need some |
sleep, too, for probably, after to-
insomnia will be the least |
of my troubles"
Starmount walked down. the long
hall. AS he neared the wing-suite
he head the door-the fatal door
swing shut and Pat Muleahy came
toward him looking very solemn.
Your room is over the garage,
Turn in now and I'll call
YOU when l need you. Mr., Parker
will call up the chief and make it
Ill right the first thing in the morn
ng."
Mr.. Starmount, tomorrow I'll be
for you and III be more
oyal to you than | have been to the
hief--for no one can make me leave
Iuty from now on. I'll let no one
ay that" /
"Never mind that, Wen meet all {
hat comes when it comes. Did
lary think she could sleepP She
as had a pretty hard day." I
"She said she was too happy to :
Ieep. ! told her that you were go
ig to try and make her mother we'll
nd perhaps, if possible, fix up Ed
les feet. She doesn't know any
ling about the car and the frame
P, sir, and l didn't tell her any
ling about it. l just told her that
would be around as usual and
ok after her and the rest of the
lmily while she is here with you. |
"You see she thinks it is only go :
g to be for visit and she wants !
learn stenography or some such h
ing as that SO she can earn more c
oney when they go back. c
"You won't regret this sir. Mary
evlin is pretty enough and bright Q
iough to stand up by any girl in !,
e land. Good night sir. And / i
INT to tell you that / believe that s
will come out all right. If / did =