ttle while ago. And do you know what
he said? He said: 'What wrecked all our lives thirty-five year ago
shan't wreck these two, if I can help it. If Mary-'Gusta cares for him
and he for her they shall have each other and be happy. And we'll be
happy watchin' their happiness.' That's what he said. I don't know's
I said 'Amen' exactly, but I thought it, anyhow. God bless you,
Mary-'Gusta. Now you and Crawford go and see your Uncle Zoeth. He's down
at the house. You just run along and tell him about it."
Mary turned to Mr. Chase.
"Well, Isaiah," she said, "haven't you anything to say to me?"
Isaiah looked at Crawford and then at her.
"I should say you'd better go somewheres, both of you, and get dry,"
he said. "His overcoat's soakin' wet and your waist ain't much better.
I--I--don't know what sort of--of congratulations or--or whatever
they be I ought to say, but--but I hope you'll be terrible happy,
Mary-'Gusta."
"Thank you, Isaiah," laughed Mary.
"Yes, you're welcome. Now, just let me talk to Cap'n Shad a minute."
He swung about and faced the Captain and in his eye was triumph great
and complete.
"Cap'n Shad Gould," crowed Isaiah, "a good many times in the last
four or five year you've called me a fool for heavin' out hints that
somethin' about like this was liable to happen. Well? WELL? What have
you got to say NOW? Who's the fool NOW? Hey? Who is?"
CHAPTER XXX
The story of Mary-'Gusta Lathrop is almost told. Before Crawford left
South Harniss, which was not until the end of another week, it had been
decided that on a day in June of the following year she should cease to
be Mary-'Gusta Lathrop. There was a great deal of discussion before this
decision was reached, for many perplexing questions had to be answered.
First, there was the question of Crawford's future. His father had left
a comfortable fortune and an interest in mining properties which would
have rendered it quite unnecessary for the young man to keep on with his
professional studies had he wished to discontinue them. But he did not
so wish.
"As I think I told you that Sunday afternoon when we first met at Mrs.
Wyeth's, Mary," he said, "I have always intended to be a doctor. Dad did
not want me to be; he wanted me to come in with him, but I wouldn't do
it. I love my work and I mean to stick to it and go on with it. If I
were as rich as a dozen Rockefellers it wouldn't make any difference.
But, as I see it, I am not rich. It
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