Arizona republican., 1922-01-22
A HUSBAND TO MARCIA
By CAROLYN BEECHER

| the longer because shall not worry
over my precious girl, the thought of
her lonely future"
John urged Muriel to marry him at
once. But she demurred.
II want a little time, John. I'm no
| different from other women, even If
you have put me on a pedestal. /
must have some new things. and then
must not leave my position until
| they find some one to take my place.
| 1t would not be fair" And as fair
ness was the keynote of Muriel's
| character John said no more but to
demand a promise that it should be
as soon as possible.
| Kenneth was told and naively re-
marked:
IF you marries daddy, Auntie
Muriel will you be my auntie just
| the same?"
'Tn be just the same. Kenneth, but
II you like you may call me-mother
then" A charming blush accom-
panied the words
Then I'll have a mother like all
the other boys-hurrahl" He threw
his arms about her neck. filled with
boyish enthusiasm.
| 1t was the first mention he had
made of feeling any lack, but when
Muriel questioned him he admitted
that he had envied the BOYS when
| they talked about their mothers, all
though he had told them he had two
aunties. He also called Mrs. Doran
aunt.
Yes, dear,youll have q mother
like the other boys. l viii try to be a
good one" She added so low the child
did not hGr.
The following three months were
busy ones for all. John planned a
| surprise for his bride and so kept the
| details of new invention from her.
| He took comfortable apartment and
furnished it nicely, with thought for
comfort instead OF show. His den
was reproduced with the aid of his
old things so that he felt almost as if
1t never had been disturbed. But
| everything else was new, and bought
with that knowledge of Muriels taste
which their close friendship had Civ
en- him. There was room for her
mother, another for Kenneth. In this
| last he laughingly told one of his
| friends who was in his secret that he
had let himself go. All the things
boy of Kenneth's age could need or
desire he bought, until he felt like a
| boy himself in the joy Of doing.
Then in the first hazy days of
September he again went west. after
a. simple ceremony in the church.
Muriel's mother had attended. he
! Journeyed back with his bride. Mrs.
Doran would come on later. with
Kenneth and remain until the cold
weather.
AS Muriel and John stood hand IN
hand In the home he had fitted un for
her. he said:
Il feel very humble, dear. very
unworthy Of all the happiness that
mas come to me. yet can't help being
happy Who could be anything else
with you. T.
We are both happy. John, dear.
ana please God we. will be happy
all our life long. There are ALWAYS
compensations, dear, and the f,,tnys .
belongs to us. 1t is what we make
It," Both held the thought OF the
gray years he had spent.
Two years have passed ana John
waves his hand to the woman with
the smile on her lips who watches at
tne window each morning until the
turn In the street hides him and the
young lad who clings to him from her
sight. Back in the room sits an old
white haired lady. Mrs. Doran. Groom
ing over her first grandchild which
lies on her lap. John Aldrich is child :
less no longer. A tiny baby girl has
brought joy to them all, and to
kenneth, the adopted son, an adora-
ton that is beautiful.
/ Il have a whole family now" he
Iold Mrs. Doran, big serious eyes
1lxed on hers. "a daddy. a mother an
auntie. and now a little sister"
| John tells Muriel he is so happv
unat at times he is almost afraid. Her
answer always is:
| You deserve it all, John-everv
bit" And 1t is invariably accomna, :,
nled by loving look that shows fhe
perfect understanding between them
the understanding that makes his
oelng the husband of MurieI the
greatest thing in the world to him
l TEIIN E,NrrN -