National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1884-09-27

MT, fAnJ0n must Spehk 1Or nlmBett'
Clare interrupted with slight frown.
Have | not done SOP he rejoined
rapidly. Thon he laughed pleasantly,
Possibly Miss DENLY finds my views too
comprehensive"
"When they mako her IN involuntary
party to their meaning she certainly
does" Clare answered.
"AhW he cried, ut would be against
my own interest to do so, else l should
be robbed of the pleasure of convincing
her that they are true"
"Then you must take an opportunity
Of doing that tomorrow" | said, getting
up from my place, "for cannot afford to
lose my beauty sleep for the sake of
listening to two young people talking
nonsense"
The next morning passed, as usual, in
the study. and in the afternoon, as the
weather continued fine, it occurred to me
that l had not seen my old friend the
squire for somo time, l proposed, there
fore, to ride over to tho grange and pay
him a visit, and, as Panton mentioned
that he had letters to write, suggested
his making use Of the library during my
absence. In this he readily concurred, aud
before starting | saw him comfortably in
stalled in my place. Clare having stated
her intention of going to the village in
order to make some necessary purchases.
1t was close upon the dinner hour when
l returned, and, hastily dressing. hurried
downstairs. The young people were al
ready waiting for me, and we Mt once
passed into the dining room.
The evening was spent much In tho
same way as the previous one, but l
thought l detected sensible increase of
warmth in Clare's manner toward Mr..
Panton. As for him, it seemed impossible
that anything should stop his flow of
spirits. He talked necessarily, and am
afraid great deal of nonsense.
Next day, as / sat reading in my room,
he entered in his usual unceremonious
fashion. II hope 1 don't disturb you,
sir" he said.
"Not at ALL" answered. laying down
my book. Take seat"
Thanks" no replied, lifts tho same
to you I'd rather, stand. I've always
more confidence in myself when Pm on
my legs"
II should not have thought you ever
failed in that" remarked, smiling.
"No more did l." no answered; adding,
with some slight hesitation, until l came
here"
"Ah, you have caught the infection,
We are too modest for you go-ahead young
London fellows"
NO" he replied reHectively, ''its not
that. Take your daughter, for instance.
I'm devilish impudent to her-almost
rude at times-and yet it never seems to
make any impression"
Perhaps you don't want to make an
impressions" suggested.
"Oh, but i do" he continued with
curious frankness. you'll excuse me
mentioning it, but Miss DENLY is
deucedly attractive girl"
II think twas yourself who first limited
that she took her intellectual qualities
from her father" said a little mali
ciously.
He shook his head gravely. NO" he
replied, ~ detect difference. She's got
q most original mind of her own. Do
you know, sir, "he,proceeded, without any
alteration in his voice, ppm afraid Pm
falling in lovep
Talk of originality-here certainly was
on example with vengeance. One might
have thought was perfect stranger to
the lady in question. SO unconcernedly
did my gest announce to me the state of
his feeling, for her. I will not say that
the declaration was displeasing, but re-
Elected that it would not be consonant
with my dignity to surrender at the first
assault
"You forget that am her father" 1
observed somewhat stifiy.
"Oh, no, / DON'T" he answered; that's
why l come to you"
well 2" Icontinued inquiringly.
II was anxious to learn in what light
the fact would strike you."
You mean as regards All engagement
between my daughter and yourself?"
Yes" he answered.; II suppose you
might put it that way"
1t certainly was n strange mode of pro-
posing to become my son-in-law, but after
all the end justified the means. my
dear Panton," said, "you must re-
member that our acquaintance has been
short, and should have, of course, to be
assured that you are in position to keep
o wife. But otherwise do not know
any one whom would welcome more
gladly as Clsre's husband"
Then If satisfy you on that point
there is no obstacle to my trying my
luck p
None, whatever" / answered, deeming
it unnecessary to allude to the Brown
episode. you have my full consent, and
l can only trust that you will BIO equally
fortunate in winning Clare's."
THANK you" was his reply, 81 fancy
If you'll excuse me I'll go into the gar.
den now and smoke cigar. Perhaps l
may hit on some likely plan for obtaining
that during the process"
Certainly, my boy. do as you think
best" rejoined. And so this remark
able interview came to close.
My little scheme was then success SO
far. After all, your clever people are not
so difficult to circumvent If one goes
about the business properly. The very
simplicity of my project said to myself,
was probably the chief reason that it
prospered SO well. A'less single minded
man than myself would almost certainly
have ruined all by too great zeal, but the
unobtrusive manner in which I pulled
the wires was, l felt, in tho spirit Of the
highest diplomacy.
1t was true that had still to deal with
Clare, and in respect to her could not
have the same certainty which Panton's
himself. Nevertheless, l was not without
hope that the latters powers of persua-
sion would eventually prevail.
Panton's communication had been made
on Wednesday, and in tho meantime /
considered it as we'll not to recur to the
subject. He was not, was convinced.
man to let the grass grow under his feet,
and my wisest policy was evidently to
await the outcome of events.
On Saturday | informed my guest at
luncheon that had to ask his indul-
gence for my absence until dinner time,
as always devote that afternoon to the
preparation of the next days discourse.
But added that Clare would doubtless
prove an efficient substitute-an assertion
which was pleased to observe neither of
the young people seemed anxious to dis
pute.
As it happened, the sermon I selected
was one which l already knew pretty
nearly by rote, and consequently little
more than an hours study suficed to put
me at my ease with it, As / closed the
manuscript it occurred to me that it
might he interesting to find out, in an in
formal sort of way, how the two were
amusing themselves, and so, gently OPEN
inc tha studu door \ atnla nnisalAEe1u M,