The Butler County press. [volume] (Hamilton, Ohio) 1900-1946, 1933-11-17

above hers.
''But am going to marry you,
though"
Stanley boy, I'm just as determined
to have you, but 1t is better II when
we are married we leave no unhappi-
ness behind US. know just how your
mother feels about your marrying the
daughter Of an ordinary factory work
er. Your mother has lived all her life
among lovely, pleasant, cultured things,
and she has right to feel that / am
somewhat crude and"
He swung her from her feet and
kissed her. mo more of that. Moth
er is obstinate as a-a-"
Margery freed herself. Don't you
be the same. Listen, my dear, let's
think it over: then If we fail, we'll
Wen just do It,"
He smiled with relief. "All right,
then, honey, but you'll have to do the
thinking. But I'll give you just two
weeks-and then I'm going to grab you
and run away with you-family or no
family"
The plan that had popped into Mar
gery's head while they were talking
over the situation looked bit desper-
ate, but as she told herself, 'sDesper-
ate cases call for desperate remedies" !"
She talked the plan over with her ia
ther. He laughed and then looked Sc
rious.
Little girl, your second name as
I've told you is Mischief. but go ahead.
have faith in you. If 1t doesn't work,
nothing will be lost" he agreed.
From that moment Margery worked
with speed Stanley had said In pass
ing that his mothers companion, Miss
Knapp, was getting through; so Mar
gerry hastened to see her.
an help you. The old lady is
fearful old aristocrat. / had enough
OF her, and I doubt your luck; but,
anyway, I'll recommend you for my
position" Miss Knapp agreed.
So it came about that Margery, late
that week, walked into the fine Lam
don mansion and was interviewed and
hired. She then planned to tell Stan
ley what she had done, but found he
had left a hurried word for her that
he had been rushed South by his firm
on an emergency trip.
Margery's sense of humor came
readily to her aid those first days Of
her service ms companion to Mrs. Lam
don. The old lady was exacting, but
~, ct
She liked to read herself. so her
duty Of reading to Mrs. Landon for
two hours each day was not a task.
She liked to play with nice dishes, and
she found herself, instead of the cook,
preparing pet dishes that Mrs. Landon
liked. She anticipated her employers
needs as much as she could, and that
she was successful was indicated by
Mrs. Landon's brief statement. one aft
ernoon:
Miss Elder, you are proving very
satisfactory, and would like to make
your engagement permanent"
Margery smiled outwardly, although
she said Thanks bel" inwardly. II
am glad to have 1t permanent" she an
swered demurely enough.
She wrote to Stanley in care of his
arm, and she was sure he knew what
was going on; but on that fatal after
noon she discovered otherwise
She came from the back of the house
and stepped into the library where he
was talking to his mother. he glanced
up and saw her and his eyes opened
with astonishment, and his mouth
Margery, back Of Mrs. Landon, put
her finger on her lips, and she saw
that he had "tumbled."
Later, he cornered her In the kitch-
en-. "You witch, this was your game.
Gosh its q good one" he chuckled.
Mater was praising you just as you
came in. But when she finds out-Oh,
golly!" he grinned. It'll be worth 1t
just to have you around here"
Then began a time Of doubt for Mar
gerry. She discovered that Mrs. Lam
don's fear about the girl her son
wished to marry rose, after all, from
her great love for her son. Actually.
beneath her cold, aristocratic exterior
was something that approached close
ly q warm heart. Most Of the time,
however, she seemed rigid and set In
her ways and ideas.
Nargery began to be worried The
truth must come out sometime, and
the plan she had entered upon began
TO look little childish.
The bottom fell out of the plan sud-
denly. She was going along the upper
corridor when Stanley, stepping from
his room, caught her, and gathered her
In his arms. She gave him a kiss In
return for his, then tried to pull away
and saw Mrs. Landon looking at
them down the hall. Stanley saw her
at the same time, and Margery felt his
arms tighten.
"Gosh, mother saw US. Now for an
earthquake !" he whispered in her ear.
His mother approached, and to Mar
gery's astonlshment, she was smiling.
$50 am to lose my companion. Ny
dear, forgive me for deceiving you. but
Miss Knapp felt she ought to tell me;
so I have known from the beginning.
] have enjoyed having you here and
/ hope you and Stanley will want to
stay with me right along she said a
bit wistfully.
Stanley reached out long arm and
drew his mother to him. With the
other he encircled Margery's waist.
"We accept the invitation-and kiss
all around seals the bargain" he an
nounced with joyful finality.