The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1883-04-27

his former greatness. 1t was too bad
of Maurice 10 ruin his father as he was
doing; to drive him out of his home in
his declining years. and cast him upon
the great world of London with no an
chorage save here Well. he would en-
dure; he would resign himself to his
fate. King Lear had rallied at his
daughters for their ingratitude. but he
would not act in that way; he would be
generous. and forget his wrongs il pos
sible. Ifoccasion offered he might make
another effort to bring Maurice to rea-
son. but it should be the last.
The occasion did offer itself sooner
than he could have anticipated. and
after reading a note he had received by
the first post one morning. he proceed
ed to his sons chambers. Arrived
there, Mr. Calthorpe put down his hat
and umbrella, then slowly took off his
gloves, which he carefully smoothed
and placed in the hat lie had the air
of one who had some serious matter of
business on his mind, matter of so
much import that it must be approached
with all possible gravity.
Maurice was finishing letter, and
asked his father to excuse him for mo-
mens As he was DESTROYS of dispatching
it at once.
Certainly: do not let me interfere
with anything You are doing. because
when you speak to me am anxious to
have your undivided attention"
Mr.. CalthOrpe clasped his hands be-
hind m, walked deliberately to the
window. and looked out. Maurice
closed his letter and gave it to lad
who was waiting
Now, sir, am quite at your serv-
ice," he said. briskly, as he closed the
door and resumed his seat.
! The father turned his back to the win
dow and faced his son. There was a
/ brighter look upon the face than he
had seen for long time. and it con-
trasted singularly with the gravity Of
| his own.
/ "Do you know what date this is?'' he
asked, quietly.
"wednesday. fourteenth September.
was the prompt reply.
And are you aware that in six
months shall have to leave Calthorpe"
Il have not forgotten it, sir. but l
thought that, so far as was concerned,
we had spoken our last upon the sub iect
unless should have found the means to
enable YOU to retain the place"
"Well, you have not found the
means, and, although they are within
your reach. you obstinately refuse to
secure them"
| Maurice was silent
| You accept the position so compla-
Gently that | find it difficult to believe
you thoroughly realize all that this
means to me-"
! "Believe me. sir. have thought of it
very anxiously and often. but you
| gave me to understand that you your
self were satisfied that it was beyond
| my power TO do as You wished. You
gave me to understand that YOU were
ready to meet the misfortune with res
| ignation. .since.it could not be helped"
MIR. Calthorpe took a chair and seated
himself opposite his son.
And so was. and so l am prepared
to accept the misfortune with resigna-
tion-provided it can not be helped.
But it is one thing to be content to sink
when there is no possibil ty of keeping
your head above water; it is quite
another to resign yourself to going down
when YOU see some one near you who
has only to stretch out his hand to save
you from drowning. That is precisely
our position"
Il am afraid can not see it exactly
in your way"
Il am afraid that l must really lose
patience with YOU Now, my dear
Maurice, do consider how we stand
from common-sense point of view. |
do not pretend to be able to enter into
your exa ted feelings in egard to
matrmony, and certa My do not ap-
preciate the course of conduct which
they induce you to pursue"
Maurice rested his elbow on the
table, shading his ewes with his hand.
=. think you will admit" Mr.. Cal
thorpe went on. THAT since our men,
orable interview at home have not
pressed this subject upon you"
THAT is So"
Il own that l did hope, l will even
90 so far as to admit that / expected,
things would right themselves
This was said as if he We're making
generous admission TO the advantage
of his opponent in argument.
"Ani you have been disappointed,
SIR
Ion your part. most emphat cally.
No one can admire independence of
character more than do; no one can
be more ready to assert that independ-
ence than / am, on due occasion. But
you are installing the promptings of
wounded vanity for honorable indie
pendence.
- hope not"
1T is so, / assure you; any man with
the slightest experience of the world
would tell you the same just suppose
for an instant that the positions had
been reversed. Suppose that the lady
was Lucy Smith and that YOU had in Il
moment OF passion said to her the I'M
pleasant things she said to you-would
you not be sorry aterward, and regard
her as acting unkindly as we'll as fool
ishly, j he gave you no opportunity OF
making amends?n
Very likely should; but do not
think that you grasp the position. and
it is impossible to imagine what might
happen if she were a man and | wom-
an" answered Maurice without uncov-
ering his eyes. and there was a curious
huskiness in his voice, as if tn absurd
ity of his fathers suggestion had dis
posed him to laughter in spite of the
earneStness with which it had been
made.
"Then You mean to persist in your
insane course?'
at is too late TO alter it now"
This doggedness was very trying to
the father: open rebellion he could I'M
derstand and deal with; but this dull. !
passionless re ection of reason was
most irritating. and this insensibility to
every ordinary feeling of self-interest
was as incomprehensible to MI a.