The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1883-03-29
ALL IN A LIFETIME.


drew his pretty daughter upon his knee
and took her face between his hands,
''did you like the play last night?"
Lovely, papa! and where Cunaldo
comes out and drops on his knees before
Rinato and swears:' -
''Spare me, Gertrude; I'm only hui
man." laughed her father. "Who was
that young man with you? 1 can't seem
to place his face
| He watched her covertly as he spoke.
why, Charley, of course, papa. The
idea of your not knowing Charley Har-
ringtonr
'.Clerk with Fodge & Co., / believe"
mused her father; 'sten dollars a week
and no expectations" looking at her
inquiringly.
II believe so" beginning to look sur
prised.
Don't you understand, GertieP You
are constantly in his company, and peo-
pie will talk. If he had any prospects
it would be different You have lived
long enough to know that money is the
| first consideration, position next, and
love, if it happens to coincide with the
others, makes good third"
"Yes, papa; but you see | have al
ways been on friendly terms with
| Charley ever since we used to sittogether
at school. almost like brother and sister
! We never dreamed of making love to
one another. Why, papa, you're a
goosem And she caught him playfully
BY the ear.
Il doubt if Charley is equally heart
WHOLE" her father replied, looking ad-
miringly on her flushed face, ''but 7
| feel very much relieved by what YOU
have told me Gertie; so long as you feel
that way, | haven't any objection to
him. Indeed, / rather admire the fell
lows Independent ways. 7"
"Papa,'' and she looked him quietly
in the face, ''you need have no misgiv-
ings about me. My talk may seem
foolish sometimes, but it is only talk. |
think have even as good an idea of the
value of money as you have, and you
| may rest assured | shall make no mis-
| take" And with laughing courtesy
she ran from the room.
A few days later, as she and Charley
Harrington were returning from mat
inee, the latter departed from his usual
reserve of manner and made passion
ete declaration of love. Gertrude heard
| him quietly to the end, then with an
impatient movement asked him how
| long it was since he had taken leave of
! his senses.
1--WE were getting along SO splendidly,
Charley" she said pathetically, ''and
now you must 60 and spoil it all. It's
too bad"
Charley looked at herin astonishment.
Il don't understand" he faltered;
show has telling you my love spoiled
all?n
why, you see. we were just good
friends before. Now you won't be sat
lstied with that, but Will have to be
making foolish speeches all the time.
How could you, Charley?" regarding
him with her great, innocent-looking
eyes.
Charley bit his lip.
''At least we can continue just good
friends?" he ventured, moodily.
She regarded him meditatively.
mo, Charley, l don't think we can"
she responded; ''when person gets in
your condition there is little hope for
him. You could never return to the
sensible Charley | used to like so well.
Beside don't advocate love, you know;
when marry it will be for something
more substantial
"And II
'.Will just bid me good-by like your
sensible old self, and let me 90 home.
Papa will wonder what keeps me so
| late
But, Gertrude, wistfully, ''won't
you give me little hope? l shall go
opI Will Gonna dow oo,,ao hooly
rich as even you can desire"
VERY well! If happen to be single
when you come back l shall have no
objection. All you want is money to
make you desirable parti."
"Well, Gertrude, did hope that my
love would h. enough to win you, but
suppose / was rather simple to entertain
such an idea. My purpose, however, is
unchanged. shall have you yet; and
as you seem too modernfor old-fashioned
love, will 90 back to medieval Gus
toms and buy you. wonder he con-
tinued, looking at her critically, ''about
how much your father would ask for
you?"
.sCharleyr' with a touch of surprise
and. pain in her voice.
He laughed lightly.
well, good-by, Gertie. Shall we
shake handsp"
She gave him her hand silently. But
if she expected any further allusion to
his love she was mistaken. Just touch
ing the tips of her fingers, he said
coolly, "Off for California tomorrow.
Gertie," and raising his hat slightly
turned down side street.
She stood gazing after him few mo-
ments, then with a little sob turned
toward home.
/ A few months later, Charley Harring-
ton was one of party of roughly clad
miners who, growing tired of the worn
out diggings at Yankee Flat, struck off
into the unexplored wilderness of which
the Indians of the mountains had hither-
to held undisputed possession. His few
months of active life in the open air had
impaired to him more vigorous and
hardy appearance than he had known
during his confinement at the store.
Already his rough companions began to
look upon him with regpect; their few
attempts to take advantage Of his sup