The Weber Literary Journal Mrs. Harland sat in her rocker by the window with a frightened look on he usually placid face. How she dreaded these "fits" of anger that besieged her husband when he was crossed in any way. As the young couple left the room Mrs. Harland rose from her chair and followed them out. "Now she'll go to her room and cry all night and when Rex leaves, Marion will do the same," thought Mr. Harland, but for once in his life he was mistaken. When the door had closed behind them Mrs. Harland said in her gentle, timid manner, "Tell me your story children. Maybe I can help you. I know father is unjust." They had very little faith in her powers to help but they had to relieve their feelings somehow so Rex began. "Well, last night when I was going home from town, passing the saloon, a crowd of roughnecks came staggering out. They were all 'stewed' and I guess I suggested some fun and they all raced over to where I was but just then up came a 'cop' and started us down the street. I tried to explain to him but all he would say was 'Tell it to the Judge in the morning' and so there I was. This morning when I explained it to the Judge he let me off and said it was alright but the mischief was done," and he looked gloomily at Marion. Mrs. Harland was sympathetic but looked as if that was all she could do about it as she walked down the hall shaking her head in a discouraged manner. "What shall we do?" cried Marion, almost in tears. "Cheer up. Some way will surely turn up. Maybe he will change his mind and decide to listen to us by tomorrow," replied Rex with forced cheerfulness. "Dad's too obstinate for that." As they walked out onto the porch they were both busily thinking of some plan by which they could get her father to listen to them and take back his harsh words forbidding them to "keep company" any longer. The sound of Mr. Harland walking across the room toward the outside door caused Rex to say a hurried goodbye and whisper that he would call up next day when Mr. Harland 16 The Weber Literary Journal was at the office. Marion turned to go into the house but met her father at the door. "Has that roughneck gone?" "Father he isn't a roughneck. He's a" "Not a word. Can't I see with my own eyes to read the. paper and can't I hear what people are saying. Now remember you shall not see him again." "But father." She stopped, as she was talking only to the closed door. Part of Mr. Harland's prophecy was fulfilled. Marion did go to bed and cry all night but Mrs. Harland, although her husband thought her sleeping, was busily planning for her girl's happiness. Mrs. Harland was naturally a timid little woman with pale blue eyes and gray hair and a rather hesitant manner when offering suggestions to her domineering husband. She had never, since their marriage, dared to disobey him, or do one thing without his consent and approval, but after this night's planning she had taken a definite step and there she would stay. Next morning Marion's large black eyes were swollen and bloodshot and her usually happy face had a look of mingled grief and anger, for she had a temper almost as bad as her father's and this unreasonable view of his "riled" her anger. But as Mr. Harland's word was law she dared not speak. She was also much surprised to hear her mother happily humming a tune while getting breakfast. As the morning wore on Marion was more surprised than ever. She had never known her mother to act so peculiar in all her life. For one thing she kept the telephone busy all morning. Marion was rather vexed at this because Rex would have no chance to call her. And another thing she was calling up the most unusual people imaginable. First she called up an automobile garage; then the newspaper office; then the Judge, who was an old friend of the family's; and other such peculiar people. When central connected her with her number she always found a task for Marion in the kitchen so that she couldn't hear the conversation. 17