The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1924-02-15
FALL FOR
STONE ACE
STUFF.
By BERTHA MCDONALD

GO. 1924. BY Mcclure Newspaper syndicate.)
'The onlyI way to make woman
adore you is to dominate her-con-
vince her once and for all that you are
a ruthless force, bound to sweep away
all her petty vacillations and uncer-
tainties Of mind and that the quicker
she comes to that conclusion the bet
ter"
II know, Bige, but"
mo butts about it. Abandon this
breathless alteration stunt. Be reck-
less, self-assertive, hugely sure Of
yourself. Stone age stuff, boy--they
fall for 1t every time"
Kenneth Marlin sighed and shook
his head sadly, detection marking
every line Of his fine face His had
been a life Of sacrifice; first for his
mother and his aged grandfather, then
for his two sisters. His mother and
grandfather had long since passed to
their reward, and both sisters were
married to prosperous husbands, but
the impulse to keep himself always in
the background still sat so strongly
upon him that he was ready to aban-
don his quest for happiness, because,
forsooth, the girl ne loved had smiled
sweetly at another.
It was no idle rumor-he had seen
It with his own eyes and soSfarI as he
was concerned, what Peggy wanted
Peggy must have. If she cared more
for Rich Barlow than she did for him,
not only would he stand aside, he
would also lass0 Barlow and keep him
tied hand and foot until he asked
Peggy to be his wife, whether he
wanted to or not.
It was just as he was planning this
leading Of the lamb to the slaughter
that his old friend, Bige Woodford,
found him and delivered himself Of
this instructive lecture on Stone-age
methods.
II tell you, Bige," Kenneth went on
as soon as he could wedge in word,
81 just can't do it. Peggy's different.
She's so little and helpless. 1t would
seem like striking baby to adopt tao
tics like that with her"
"All right then. sufferl You deserve
to If you're soft enough to let dandy
fine girl like Peggy Mordaunt slip
through your fingers just for the want
Of being bit firm. Think It over"
And that is exactly what Marlin pro-
ceeded to do. Long into the night he
sat there endeavOring to make up his
mind to try out. Bige Woodford's plan.
Never in all his, life had he wanted
anything as he wanted Peggy Nor
daunt. To him she was the embodl-
ment of. all that Vas sweet, good. pure
above ALI desirable. Such a girl
deserved the very best the world had
TO give.
He felt SO humble In her presence,
SO altogether lacking in the qualities
that Peggy Mordaunt's husband ought
to have, that he had contented himself
with worshiping the fair one afar of.
The few feeble advances he had
possessed the courage to make had
not been rebuffed In any way. In fact
Peggy was always kind and pleasant,
but after he accidentally saw her gaz-
ing into Rich Barlow's eyes with a.
tenderness that was almost maternal,
he was about to resign himself to. be-
ing relegated to the background Of
the young lady's preference when his
bosom friend Bige interfered.
No y
it would seem to be self-assertive. For
instance, how would he dare outstay
Rich Barlow should they happen to
call on Peggy the same evening? How
could he have the effrontery to cut In
ahead of him at the dances?
And yet, If matters drifted on as
they were, ne would never know ex-
actly how he stood with. Peggy. That
thought, decided him. He must know
Just what she thought Of him. 1t would
be easier. he was sure. to step aside
If Peggy actually said the word, and
while he was approaching her ne
would steel himself to try out some of
Bige's suggestions.
The next evening. without first tele-
phoning for permission, a very deter
mined young man rang the Mordaunt
bell. Peggy herself opened the door
for him, but he never stopped to take
her extended hand. Brushing careless
~ past her. he hung up his hat,
slapped his hands together joyously,
greeted her good-naturedly and led
the way to the living room. Peggy
trailing meekly after him.
He proceeded forthwith to disagree
with everything she said, speaking
always as If his word were nothing
short of the law and the gospel He
pointed out to her how weak was
the feminine mind when compared to
the intellect of a really logical think
ing human being like himself.
He was kindly plying, condescend-
ing, Indifferent. and when he was
about to depart climaxed the entire
evening by boldly, without warning.
clasping the girl In his arms. kissing