The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1881-11-19


long," he said. "We have met often, and she
seems to favor my advances 1t is with her
father that the difficulty threatens You know
Captain Tranton? l think he begins to suspect
"Ah! AS yet, then, you have not definitely
enlightened him?"
II have taken up to this moment, no decisive
step whatever; but shall"
"And if he refuses?"
"If he denies me his consent and Milly is still
favorable, / shall persevere.'
"She is Trantons only child and considerable
heiress, no doubt" said. "a marriage-with
her fatker's good will-would set your estate in
order again, and many people"
With CLEAN of scorn he broke my carefully
adjusted words asunder
"It is invariably money, filthy lucre!" he
burst out "The world has set up it's idol-a
great golden Moloch !"-and everybody is in a
hurry to bow down; and the struggle is who
shall succeed in making the deepest obeisance.
You are a lawyer, Parke, and like the rest
ought to have remembered that"
"You will pardon me if l am tritle less senti-
mental than young gentleman in love-" ! re-
piled, with smile.
The storm was over, and the deep, ominous
calm back again in an instant. Gerald could see
the difficulties of the situation every whit as
well as I, and it was the embarrassment they
caused that had led to the tiny ebullition.
II apologize" he said, simply. "Of late fear
I've been scarcely civil many times am edging
toward the Rubicon, and it worries me. Fate is
against me; but-Tll conquer yet;" and he be-
gan to stride slowly up and down the room.
Nothing was to be gained by a blinking of the
facts.
comparatively speaking, poor suitor and her
father is both rich and hard man, Gerald"
said
He WINGED but admitted at once my conclu-
sions.
"You think Captain Tranton viii say MOI. in
tones of thunder" he said unless the insolence
of the proposition takes his breath away fear
so, too but this discussion has at least Quckened
my resolve, and before many days have passed
that question, at any rate, will be decided /
will first make quite sure of Milly (what world
of tenderness and trembling about the name)
and then will try her father. l am not exactly
rich, as all Ashdale knows, since that crash, but
l am a gentleman l have health, honor and
brains; I can surely keep a wife, and time will
help to free what remains of the old property
around the Lodge"
"That is true" said. Our conversation now
took a fresh turn and we sat late.
was searching my office pigeon-holes next
morning for missing document when NV "'"-'--
announced Captain fTs45.r- s F4a-a rs faare
and he was before me a.s, t..a ~r1zz-.E man.
with an eye like ha assa ---sz.- -.5s. t.lEt.-
ally lowering betweel -l- t.s
returned my salutaton -alE -.&s- and
sat down. At first --- inv. ,lvm association
of thought, wondered whether his errand had
anything to do with my friend. Ispeedily found
it had not. Captain Tranton was going North
he had property beyond the Tweed, and wished
my advice upon plain matter Of business, a
dispute between a tenant and himself. Once
again, and so far as personal interview was
concerned, for the last time, the ingrined selfish
ness Of the mans heart was revealed to me- |
pitied the unknown Scotchman who had incurred !
his displeasure, and made my advice of as mild |
a tenor as possible. He took notes of all said |
in little red backed pocketbook thanked me, |
and departed. 1t was then the 9th of October |
:" l shall be back on the 10Th or 2Gth at least
Mt Parke," he said, turning for an instant on the
i" l will call at once and inform you of
the result, if do not have need TO write"
/ bowed and returned his Good morning"
Half dozen days later Gerald and met at a |
dinner party at the rectOry. Mrs. Tranton and |
her daughter were there also, for the Reverend |
Eustace Bronze was bright and shining light |
in our social armament az we'll as in his oaken
pulpit; his entertainments were invariably well
attended and select Millicent was the belle of
the evening. She found plenty OF obsequious
admirers from the sleek little curate to
the pompous old squire Of the Manor House. |
watched her this time keenly, critically, and gave
my verdict in her favor Her mother was shy,
pensve woman, who took but langud interest
even in the affairs of her own household, and who
would no more have dreamed of defying her hus-
band in a trivial matter than in great one. Mil
oent exhibited in her vivacity self reliance and
mild spirit of inquiry. She was slight, but of
good figure; lovely tonight in dress that both
tilted her and was tribute TO good taste. She
,Ould sing and play as l had heard only one
,ther country lassie do; and that was with quite
I'D fashioned songs thirty years ago. Once or
vice that evening fancied that signals passed
,etweeu Millicent Tranton and Gerald MYRTLE
more, and after certain episode behind q music
nook, tell-tale blush reigned upon both faces.
] was not surprised next evening when sitting
lone in my room a copy of a current review iii
ny hand and comfort all around to receive ;