Bogalusa enterprise and American. (Bogalusa, La.) 1918-19??, 1922-02-16
His Victory
By MURIEL BLAIR

fully.
"Why notF' Tom asked, kissing the
pretty, pOuting lips.
Because he'll say that you can't
support me- she cried. "And IN
never be happy with anyone else"
"An right, dearest, I'll try and see
what he says right now" and before
Marjorie could demonstrate he .weRt
into the house, for the tive had been
out on the veranda and, guided by the
light under which Mr.. Graham was
reading his evening paper. soon put
the case before him
$50 you want to marry my daugA-
terri was the quick question.
IL do, sir" Tom replied. "She's
dear and sweet enough to make every
one want to do that"
Mr.. Graham shook his head. mo,
Tom," he said decidedly, Marjorie
can't marry any man who has moth
Ping more than you, with my consent.
OF course she can 60 ahead II she
wants to without it, bat I don't think
she WILL" and no amount Of pleading
would change him. He and his wife
had married on q very small salary,
and he always felt that her early
death was caused by the hardships
she went through before he was earn
ing enough to take care Of her proper
ly.
Marjorie fretted, but to no purpose
Occasionally she saw Tom, but always
felt she was Wrenging her father in
doing so. Tom worked and saved, but
seemed to make no progress in his
suit.
Mr.. Graham was unhappy too He
liked Tom, but felt that his daughter
was worthy Of someone who had al
ready made his mark In the world,
and 50 would not give his consent
I'D gladly share a crust with you,
DEAR" she told Tom on one Of the
occasions when they met.
II guess I could bay two Of them"
he said doggedly. II was hard to be
called a paupgT, when he was earning
a fair salary, was not dissipated, and
was working day and night to attain
his cherished object.
II didn't mean that, DEAR" ai1e
sobbed cIinging to him.
II know, sweetheart" he said sad
~. II guess it's tust another phase Of
the high cost Of living" and once
more he set himself to solve the
problem Of how to overcome the Op-
position OF his father-in-Iaw to be.
Matters were in this very unsatis-
factory stats wksa Mr.. Graham was
invited to be enc Of the speakers at
a banquet given & visiting dlgpitaHy.
He was surprised to ind Tom at the
same table with himself; in fact, to
find him there at ell, but he did not
know that Tom was a friend Of the
son Of the man who had originated
the banquet, which would have ex-
plained his presence.
The affair passed of agreeably, the
great parsonage departed, and some Of |
the hotel, Mr.. Graham among them. |
After receiving congratulations upon |
his welI-chosen speech, which was one |
of the best Of the evening. his atten-
ton was attracted towards a some
what noisy group over In one corner,
and seeing Tom among them e'saun-
tered in their direction. II he had |
gone deeply into the reason, 1t would /
have been that he was trying to and /
full Justification for his attitude to-
ward the young man.
AS he came up, one Of the number,
the son Of Toms employer, was say
ing tauntingly:
Afraid to drink, are your
Mr.. Graham remembered that he |
had noticed that Toms wine glasses
had been turned down during the ban
Quet.
mo" Tom said quietly, and Mr.. I
Graham realized that Tom was not
contributing to the noisy conversation
OF the group.
''Then what makes you such a poor
sport?" continued the young man, who
had evidently been drinking too much.
me? Oh, don't drink because /
don't care for 1t, that's all. The next
day headache seems too high a price
to pay for a somewhat questionable
pleasure the night before" and he
laughed easily, then added:
"Come on. Bob; let's go home"
You're afraid to drink. l dare you
to take drink, just one to show you
know how" and the tone was so taunt-
ing that Mr.. Graham fully expected
to see Tom turn with his friend into
the cafe; but that young man only
laughed again, and throwing his arm
about the shoulder Of his tempter,
said quietly: 80 pc |
you're coming with me-" and man.
aged to get him away from the con-
vivial crowd.
Mr.. Graham jammed his hat down
on his head and went home. For
full hour he studied over the matter,
with the result that the next evening
be sent for Tom. When that aston
lshed but delighted young man ar
rived, he told him briefly.
'gTake my girl. I'm satisfied, A