The Cincinnati daily star. [volume] ([Cincinnati, Ohio]) 1875-1880, 1879-11-26
MISS MONKTON'S MAR
RIAGE.
BY THE AUTHOR OF IA FRENCH HEIREss
IN HER OWN CHATEAU"
CHAPTER vi.
AN AWKWARD SECRET,

Cr0SDy WOulQ nave found 1T much
easier business to storm dozed French
batteries one by one than to 90 to Sir
George, against all the opposing circum-
stances, and ask him for his daughter.
He had to do.it, however, and he did it
the next morning in the library. He told
Sir George that ever since he had first
had the honor of meeting Miss Monkton
his affection had been unalterably hers.
He talked rather grandly, while Sir
George sat gravely listening to him, and
ended by saying that he had the happiness
of knowing that his affection was re-
turned. Sir George was never violent;
but this was little too much for him.
He used few strong words, and asked
whether Captain Crosby considered this
the conduct of gentleman.
Indeed, that | do, sir" answered Cros-
by, promptly, with all the air of his
country. "Was l to stand and see a
lovely young lady sacrificed in match
that she abhors? That is asking too
much of human nature"
"And suppose it would equally have
been asking too much to ask you, in your
position Of confidence and with your
doubtful prospects, not to fall in love
with my daug ghter, or at least to hold
your tongue upon it," said Sir George.
81 should have been silent for some
time longer" said Crosby, chad it not
been for this Barrett affair, which made
all my hopes depend upon speaking at
once"
Sir George was silent for minute or
two. He was evidently very much vexed;
but Crosby thought that on the whole
there was no danger of being turned out
of the house. His chief, in fact, was as
fond of him as he could be of anybody;
and all his vexation was not owing to the
danger of his own pet plans. He stroked
his face, he walked up and down, and
grunted several times.
"Sit down, Crosby" he said at last,
"and let us talk this over seriously.
Why, what do you mean by some time
longerT Do you expect to come into a
fortuneT'
"Not exactly, sir. Things may look
better" uiH
"The army is a splendid profession"
said Sir George. "But I am a poorer
man than l was when I entered it; and
your experience will probably be the
same. You will get steps in rank, though
that is slow business now that the war is
over; but your expenses will rise at the
same time. And you want to marry
Letitia! Confound it, how can you be
such foolW
Sir George was in a better temper
now.
Certainly" said Crosby, "my pros
poets in life don't look SO well as Bar
rett's. But I feel convinced that you
would never repent of giving your daugh-
ter to me-"
"Unfortunately, can't feel the same
conviction" said Sir George. "You
Irishmen are the most presuming fellows.
Why, how could you keep wife like
Letitia? I should hear of nothing but
debts" ..........
"You would hear Of no debts, sir"
"Upon my word, sir, you are amazing
ly confident. am very angry with you,
don't forget that. You have put this
into Letitia's head, and l shall have
more trouble with her than ever"
Crosby smiled; he did not care much
for that. .. -. '.,t.
"No laughing matter, I can tell you"
said Sir George. "Listen to me. We
have always agreed very well, and if you
could succeed in convincing me that you
have anything to live on, I might think
this over. Young people always do get
their way by sheer obstinacy, I believe.
But if you don't succeed in satisfying me,
tile marriage with Humphrey Barrett
shall 90 on. Letitia's objections to it
are all nonsense. They are excellent
people. She will get used to them and
be very happy"
Crosby looked very thoughtfully into
the fire. The smile had died away, and
the brightness was gone from his face;
he found himself close upon serious
difficulty, into which his chiefs next
words plunged him headlong.
perhaps you forget that we know
nothing about you, your father, your
family, and so on. / forgot it myself, to
tell the truth. But under these circum-
stances must ask you to give me full
account Of yourself"
Sir George had been talking lately in
the business-like tone he generally used,
with more and more good nature in it as
he went on, and realized how much he
liked Crosby. But the young mans
manner now brought sudden sharpness
into his eyes. He frowned suspiciously
as Crosby stared into the fire, flushing
slowly redder and redder. Suddenly he
looked up. The expression of Sir Georges
face was not very reassuring; but there
seemed to Crosby to be only one way Out
of his dilemma.
2"You have known me long enough
Sir George" he said, ito trust my word
You have placed great confidence in mt
for months past, though for all you knew
Of him. my father might have been
tinker" e.a .... .a.
"Well, 60 on. Is he tinkerp sale
Sir George, ellis son does him credit"
Crosby smiled rather gravely.
II lost my father some years ago." h
said; then there was another pause.
n