The Jackson standard. [volume] (Jackson C.H., Ohio) 1847-1888, 1880-01-15

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off.
''You had better take care, sir, how
you insult that lady," said the son, as
black as night.
''You would not choose between
your father and your mistress?" said
the father.
What do you call her, sir?" cried
Dick, high and clear.
Forbearance and patience were not
among Mr.. Naseby's qualities.
Il called her your MISTRESS" he
shouted, land | might have called
her a -"
THAT is an unmanly lie," replied
Dick, slowly.
'Dick!' cried the father, "Dick!"
Il do not care" said the son,
strengthening himself against his own
heart; II have said it, and it is the
truth"
There was pause.
Dick" said the old man at last, in
a voice that was shaken as by a gale
of wind, II am going. 1 leave you
with your friends, sir-with your
friends. l came to serve you, and now
| go away broken man. For years
| have seen this coming, and now it
has come. You never loved me. Now
you have been the death Of me. You
may boast Of that. Now 1 leave you.
God pardon your
With that he was gone; and the
three who remained together heard
his horses hoofs descend the lane.
Esther had not made a sign through
out the interview, and still kept 81
lence throug hout the interview, and
still kept silence now that it was over;
but the Admiral, who had once or
twice moved forward and drawn back
again, now advanced for good.
"You are man Of spirit, sir" said
he to Dick; ''but though I am no
friend to parental interference, I will
say that you were heavy on the gov
ernor.' Then he added with chuckle:
''You began, Richard, with a silver
spoon, and here you are in the water
like the rest. Work, work, nothing
like work. You have parts, you have
manners; why, with application, you
may die millionaire!'
Dick shook himself. He took Es-
ther by the hand, looking at her
mournfully.
"Then this is FAREWELL" he said.
"Yes," she answered. There was
no tone in her voice, and she did not
return his gaze.
Forever" added Dick.
Forever" she repeated mechanical
ly.
II have had hard measure" he con-
tinued. SIN time [ believe | could
have shown you I was worthy, and
there was no time long enough to
show how much | loved you. But it
was not to be. | have lost ALL"
He relinquished her hand, still look
ing at her, and she turned to leave the
room.
"Why, what in fortunes name is
the meaning of all this?" cried Van
Tromp. Esther, come back!'
LET her co." said Dick, eand he
watched her disappear with strangely
mingled feelings. For he had fallen
into that stage when men have the
vertigo of misfortune, court the
strokes of destiny, and rush towards
anything decisive, that it may free
them from suspense though at the
cost Of ruin. It is one of the many
minor forms of suicide.
"She did not love me" he said, turn
ing to her father.
II feared as much" said he, when
| sounded her. Poor Dick, poor Dick.
And yet | believe / am as much cut
up as you are. | was born to see 9TH
els happy"
"You forget, returned Dick, with
something like a sneer, "that [ am
now paupef."
Van Tromp snapped his fingers.
"Tut!'' said he; Esther has plenty
for us ALL"
Dick looked at him with some won
der. 1t had never dawned upon him
that this shiftless, thriftless, worth
less, sponging parasite was yet, after
and in spite of all, not mercenary in
the issue of his thoughts; yet so it
was.
Now" said Dick, Il must 60"
"Go?" cried Van Tromp. "Where q?
Not one foot, Mr.. Richard Naseby.
Here you shall stay in the mean time
and-well, and do something practical
advertise for a situation as private
secretary when you have it, go
and welcome But in the meantime,
sir, no false pride; we must sponge a
while on Papa Van Tromp, who has
sponged so often upon us.
BY God," cried Dick, II believe
you are the best of the lot"
"Dick, my boy replied the Admi-
raj, winking, ''you mark me, am not
the worst"
"Then why" began Dick, and then
paused but Esther" he began
again, once more to interrupt himself.
1.-The fact is. admiral" he came out
with it roundly now, 'your daughter
wished to run away from you to-day
and | only brought her back with diff
Guilty"
''1n the pony carriage?' asked the
Admiral, with the Stiffness of extreme
surprise,
YES" Dick answered.
"Why, what the devil was she run
ming away from?"
Dick found the question unusually
hard to answer
Why" said he, ''you know, you're
a bit of rip"
Il behave to that girl, sir, like an
arch-deacon," replied Van TromI
warmly.
"Well-excuse me-but you know
you drink" insisted Dick.
II know that | was sheet in the
winds eye, sir, once-once only, since
| reached this place" retorted the Ad.
miral. "And even then | was fit fol
any drawing-room. | should like you