New Britain herald., 1924-09-23
Merely Marjorie 7

wash that ike nerE don know another woman in all the world who would say that. However, though I would al. low such q statement from no one else, a chap must permit something to the girl whom he intends to marry, so I merely answered:
 T had no idea you were so self .sacri- fcing."
 'Poof!" said Marjorie. If you were the last man in the world, Tom Randolph, should turn up my nose at you"
 looked at the nose. "No doubt" I told her. I've always been lucky. I'm used to having pleasant little things turn up for me-" r.-.
 Marjorie turned her white shod foot on the veranda floor and pretended to look at the river. r
 It was one of those gilt-edged evenings in the first flush of real spring, you know, when the, air is heavy with new honey- suckle and the vines have just begun to screen the porch. When-oh. you know! What will you give for my thoughtsy" asked Marjorie presently.
 l had wanted to make her talk first. That's why had waited. The surest way to make woman talk is to give her a chance. T will give you my heart," vowed.
 Nonsense" she said. "Why do you want to marry me?'
 Well" l protested, five got to do something .. But there are so many" Not at hand, Marjorie, not at hand and whatever l do must be done before next spring. Manhattan Power and Electric has swallowed half of my small patrimony and, now that the time for dividends has ,ar- rived, is calmly taking it's siesta. The Unimpeachable Life and Casualty Company Is still staggering from its last round with the Young Investigator, champion heavy weight of the world. And as for the final quarter of my estate, you ought to know what has become of the Arizona and Mon tana Land Investment and Bonanza Farm Corporation. l can survive a twelyemonth but after that I haven't the slightest idea what poor robin will do then-do then" And so." said Marjorie, you propose me-
 l propose IO you.
 "Are you sure it wouldn't be throwing good money after bad?"
 Its throwing an empty purse into the mint. It's only just. Your own father was the man who got me into that glitter ing Arizona-''
 But you said yourself that that took only a quarter of your money'
 Precisely, There are four of you chi- dren. am an equitable man. Your father got quarter of my money. shall ask him for only quarter of his.'' .r. MARJORIE smiled. "And there's not A'A time to seek elsewhere?''
 Neither time nor capital"
 ''How about inclination?'
 We looked at the moon. "Ah," I said ''as for inclination! Majorie's hair is golden"
 Really, Tommie-'
 Don't call me Tomme! If you do that again l shall stop at once"
 "Tommie!''
 "Marjorie's mouth is petulant and in genuous, daring and afraid, tempting and fugitive"
 "Tommie, if you don't stop
 And if you call me Tommie again shall kiss you"
 "Tommie !'' cried Marjorie-and did it. After all, am in love with Marjorie. cannot remember a time when I was not. I arose thoroughly satisfied. 'I am 20 glad" 1 said.
 About what?" asked Marjorie. About your surrender"
 But I haven't surrendered.
 "Why, you let me kiss you!'
 "Oh, well, girl cant always avoid" Has there even been another man who-"
 Her head shot up. chin thrust forward. Well" she said, II should hope'
 "Girl, girl" said l.. "this is a terrible blow, and yet-and yet" waved away all her past heroically-'what do these others matter now?'
 They may matter good deal. simply haven't surrendered You see, let you kiss me, but I didn't kiss you
 Then I must begin all over again?"
 "You mustn't begin at all Marjorie" I said, T have never left off. Why, we were sweethearts in pima . flores! I recollect distinctly how, when our nurses were gossiping and the baby carriages"
 Go carts, If you please, Tommie. came a little after the day of baby car riages."
 That's detail. I remember, say, how the go-carts were close together and you dropped your bottle on the bricks and cried and I-I handed over mine"
 First the milk to me and then the money to my father. Generous boy!'
 "Yes. And remember how in kinder Earten-"
 But she gave cry of dismay. You've skipped five years" she said. Don't you remember the mud pies:'
 'Of course" answered. And the dolls house in the attic"
 "You said my best doll was ugly"
 T was comparing her with her mis- tress."
 "And-and you always would throw spit. balls at father"
 "I don't recollect that" I said. But s,,.t tl,nr bnrn KLad tn fI,raxx