Askov American. [volume] (Askov, Pine County, Minn.) 1914-current, 1929-01-31
Tom and Daphne's
Difficulty
By JANE OSBORN
(Copyright.>

there sat Daphne looking very small
and trifle bewildered on the divan
of the formally furnished drawing
room and there sat Tom at least
twelve feet away looking to Daphne
much more self possessed than she
had ever thought of him.
Daphne walked across the room to
Tom and laid the little box containing
her engagement ring on the pie-crust
table beside his chair. Tom rose as
she came and sat down sedately when
she had gone back to her place on the
divan.
"Of course it will be embarrassing
for me-breaking the engagement
after every one has been told"
Daphne bit her lips and looked at the
finger that seemed so bare and for
lorn now that Toms diamond no
longer sparkled there.
II suppose it is better to feel en-
barrassment than lifelong regret"
said Tom not daring TO look at
Daphne.
"Please, Tom, don't make me feel
any worse than l do. 1t really was
your fault just as much as it was
mine. The only reason why Aunt
Marion objected to you was because
she wanted to make a match for me
with some young friend of her own.
and father really didn't object-only
he said that if you did marry me you
would have to give up your own ideas
of a prOfession-and work in with
him. 1t has always been that way in
the family, and as you would some
day share the fortune made from the
factories he thought it was only fair
for you to help shoulder the response
bilities."
Naturally refused to accept that
proposition" said Tom dryly. st is
just as much tradition in my family
for the sons to study law"
sand mothers objections are not
real objections. It's just general prin-
ciples with her-just as it is with
your mother You know your mother
said she wouldn't come to the we'd
ding"
NATURALLY I am as fond Of my
mother as you are of yOurs-still.
Daphne" Tom shifted his gaze from
the portrait to Daphne's face. Their
eyes met and two tears went trucking
down Daphne's cheeks.
eff there was only some one whose
advice we could ask" said Daphne.
"Some older person who has had ex-
perience. We may be doing the best
thing, Tom, and we may be wrecking
our chances for happiness. Tom, isn't
there some one in your family who
isn't prejudiced-and who could help
us decide?"
Tom thought for a moment. This
idea of Daphne's struck him as adj
mirable
81 know, Daphne" he said at last.
There's your grandmother. Perhaps
she could help u.s."
Daphne protested for a moment or
two, for Daphne had always been a
little afraid Of the majestic old lady.
But. together they went to the grand
mothers rooms and after having per-
suaded the middle-aged companion
that they would not do anything to
put her charge in bad temper they
sat down beside the old lady and ex-
planned rather falteringly the entire
situation.
The old eyes followed the express
sion on Toms and Daphne's faces
with the keenest scrutiny. She lis
tened silently and then, leaning for
ward toward them, broke forth loudly:
"What right have either of you to
think of your own interests?" she
cried. Don't you know that your life.
all you have, you owe to your family?
Can you expect ever to be happy if
you fail to consider their wishes?
Even II the young man did go into the
factories-Td object. Marian is GO
ing to cut you off in her will as it is,
Daphne. And intend to do the same.
and don't forget, young woman, that
/ am still owner of the factories"
On she stormed, her old eyes grow
ing brighter and brighter as she did
so, still eagerly watching the change
of expression on the young peoples
faces. Finally they rose and Tom
gently laid his hand on Daphne's arm
and with a ceremonious bow to the
old woman led Daphne from the room.
In a corner of the hall down.
stairs they stood very close together.
ut was my fault, Daphne" said
Tom. II should never have made the
suggestion" Daphne's hands were
clutching Toms ann for protection.
"She had no right to speak to you as
she did," she said. "Even If she is a
million years old, I shall never speak
to her again unless she apologies
and as for her money I don't care a
snap"
"And you know don't care. either"
said Tom. "You know tbat-Daphne?
You know I'd marry you If you didn't
have a cent"
"You would marry me still?" begged
Daphne.
I'D marry you this afternoon of we