Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1885-05-23

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ed with him, and found him perhaps q
trifle more than agreeable, being, unlike
most of the men who conversed with
her, earnest and frank, rather than inane
and complimentary. It had dawned on
her that of late he had sought her be.
fore others, had seemed to care for her
society, and with the dawning of the
knowledge had come a new pleasure to
her. UnliKe most young ladies of the
present day, Leola Forester did not
value man by his ancestry or his bank
account.
"You wished to see me, papa" she
said in pleasant, clear voice, through
the music of which one caught ring of
self confidence; then she saw Dick and,
smiling, held out her hand to him.
Mr.. Alvon," she said pleasantly, 81 am
pleased to see you" Her father frowned
haughtily as he stepped forward in time
to prevent the young mans touching the
offered hand.
"Leola," he said, half sternly, II sent
for you that you might assist me to con-
vince this-this gentleman that you still
obey me-"
She looked from one to the other with
open, wondering eyes; the young man
was deadly pale and his lips were firmly
set; indeed, he looked very unlike q
lover, but very handsome for all that.
"You will kindly cling to facts, Mr..
Forester" he said. quietly, and the
banker flushed angrily.
"What do you intend to imply? Have
you more insolence to offer ?" he asked.
II offer no insolence," Dick answered,
now recovering himself sufficiently to
draw forward chair for Leola, for which
she thanked him. II simply asked
your"
"My permission to make my daughter
an offer of your hand--and fortune, was
it not ?" The old man broke in wither-
ingly," and declined that honor in her
name. Doubtless you would like very
well to WOO and win an heiress, Mr..
Alvon, but as 1 told you, I have other
views for my daughter"
"Papa"-Leola had not taken the
chair Dick offered her, but stood near it,
one hand resting on the back-"for
shame papa" she cried; "is it necessary
to insult q gentleman who pays
your daughter 80 great q compliment,
who is deserving at least of your cour.
tesy? Since you have spoken so rudely
to Mr.: Alvon, perhaps i would be as
we'll for him to speak to me on this
subject; will answer him. as woman
can answer such things, papa; p
"You will tell him then that his pre-
sumption is insufferable," her father
said, still angrily. "You will tell him
that you and can manage to exist with
out counting beggarly lawyer among
our acquaintance"
II do not think I will quite say that
papa" the girl said, her cheeks flushed
her eyes glowing. II will say solely
what my heart prompts. I am listening,
Mr.. Alvon," turning to him. with q
slight tremor in her voice.
Dick had been very patient, consider
He was rather pale still, as he lifted his
head and addressed Leola.
~ am what have Just been called
Miss Forrester-a beggarly lawyer" he
said, calmly; "but am q man for all
that. It may seem strange to you as it
does to your father that one in my cir
cumstances should think of love or the
chance of happiness, being unable to
purchase it; and yet, I wrong you! You
will listen patiently, believing, while /
tell you that I have grown to love you
with mans best love; that I would
fain to tell you of it, and ask if there
may not be q chance of winning you.
Not now, not while I can offer you but
my empty hand and my honest love;
but sometime, when I have won q way
and drawn success to me by the efforts I |
can make and will make with such q
hope before me. If there is q voice in
your heart that would speak for me, do
not silence it. lam saying this to Leola |
Forester, the woman I love-not to
Miss Forester, the belle and heirees. |
Will you answer me now, here, in your
father's presence? would take NO an
3wer only from your own lips. What |
will it BET"
His words, which had made the veins |
On the bankers forehead swell with in.
iignation, moved Leola strangely; she
flushed and paled, and the hand on the
:hair-back began to tremble.
"And have told you she wants none
If your love-" Mr.. Forester broke out |
but his daughter turned to
him with . sudden gesture, which 81
enced him.
SLOW much you were mistaken, papa"
he said, clearly, "for do want tail Of
t. quite understand you" turning to
Oick, land honor the frankness of your
manhood. / take your love, oh, 30 will
ingly-so gladly! have long respected
,ou beyond all Others; I love you now.
will 60 with you; I will help you in
'our struggle; I will not watch you from
"You are madP' her father cried. But
he had held out her hands to Dick, and
re was covering them with kisses and
whispering loving. disconnected words
# gratitude and affection.
"Leola, do You know what you are do
ng?" her father cried again, ready to
ear his hair with vexation. But she