The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-12-14

(Tap, tap, tap! Not a word. And so the
 Ut isn't only that your son hasn't asked me to marry him, he hasn't even told me ne cared" p.u. Jr on the threshold.
 As he spoke he came into the room with a few long, quick steps that took him straight to Win, as if he wanted to protect her against his father if need be: And timidly, yet firmly, he was followed by Mrs.
 "Td have told you long ago if I'd had the morning that I'd loved you ever since the first minute saw you, and that you were the only girl who ever was or ever would be. I don't know what he's been saying to YOU but I felt he meant to-to-see what you were like. So l came. And nothing matters if you can care a little and have faith enough in me to-
 "That's just what she doesn't do and hasn't gotw interpolated Peter senior. Ihe girls been calling you every name she couid turn her tongue to-"
 q did say the most hateful things" Win admitted, "because your father made me so angry. And-he defended you against me! He said nobody but fool could ever for minute have believed such things were true. And he was perfectly right. Can you for give mel"
 "Why, love you, you know" said Peter. And whether you ever believed anything wrong of me or not, I-I almost think you love me little now to make up. You couldn't look at me like that ii you didn't, could you? It wouldn't be fair"
 q mustn't look at you at all, then,' Win answered, pushing him gently away as he tried to take her hands. "Please let me go. I can't"
 q wouldn't let you go if he did my dear" said gentle voice that had not spoken, yet. q guess girl that saves people from them selves when they don't know in the least what they're doing, would be just the kind of daughter we would like to have, now when we have to let our own leave us. Why, you would be worth your weight in gold at our house. Isn't that so, father?"
 "H-mw grunted Peter senior. "The girl ain't a coward, anyhow She stood up to me like a wildcat: Said she hated me. Said she wouldn't take Pater if paid her to-or words to that effect. We'll, didn't exactly offer to pay her for doing that, rather the other way around. But when she had , the gorgeous cheek to up and say, after all, that she liked me for defending you, why r. we'll, I, don't know how it was, but all of a sudden I weakened to her. She got me, same way as she got you, Peter, 1 suppose. Maybe it was with one of her laughs! Any your words, I'll take back mine. Cut lem right out"
 (Which words?" Win cautiously wanted to know.
 ''The whole lot, while we're about it. guess a sister-in-law who's got earls for cousins ought to be good enough for Mar chesa. You've got me, tell you! And you can have Peter, too, if you want him. Do you?"
 q do," answered Win-and laughed again, the happiest, most surprised and excited laugh in the world.
 "Then we've got each other - foreverw cried Petro. "And, father, you and l will have each other, too, after this, as we never had before. You shall bless this day as do, and as mother will.''
 "All right" said old Peter "We'll see about that. Anyhow, shake hands,"
 Petro shook.
 "And you, too, girl"
 Winifred hesitated slightly, then held out her hand.
 . Peter senior gave it deliberately to his son.
 "There you arev' he exclaimed. 'Now we're all three in the business"
 And this is the way we're going to run it in the future," said Petro. With love-" Copyright by c. N. and A. M. Williamson,)