The Arkansaw traveler., 1885-07-04
NOBLY WON.
CHAPTER l.

greatly reduced by the unreasonable way in which he sometimes maintains an opinion against which his reason should strongly argue. The judge lives in the country, few miles from town, and his treatment of Nora, his daughter, has long been well known to the people of the neighborhood. Every one knew that the girl was madly in love with young Will liam Graves. The judge also knew it, but he did not approve of it ; not, how ever, because he could find any flaws in the young mans character, but simply because he was likely to oppose any one whom his daughter might love. Graves is physician. His skill has been ac- knowledged by doctors who have at tained great reputation and, aside from all this, he is one of the wealthiest young men in the state.
 Il tell you, sir" said the judge, ad- dressing Graves, that it is no use for you to longer entertain hope of gaining my consent. would rather see my daugh- ter dead than to see her married to you" "Why1" the doctor quietly asked.
 "Whyl" stormed the judge. |" Haven't you got better sense than to ask me why ?"
 i've will not discuss the matter of sense, judge. have come to you like a gentleman, and have asked for you, daughter"
 "And, sir, like a gentleman have re- fused you"
 Yes, you have refused me, but you have given me no reason"
 l need not give you reason. It is quite sufficient for you to know that l have reasons"
 Judge, am not man to be put off The happiness of two persons is at stake. Those two persons, sir, in justice to them selves, cannot allow you to ruin their lives"
 "How are they going to help them. selves2 The girl shall be guarded as though she were prisoner. Try ever so hard and still you cannot seize an oppor. tunity of running away with her."
 Judge can we not adopt some sort of compromise
 l see no possible chance"
 "You never expect, then, to alter your decision2"
 "Never."
 Now, judge, let me ask you a ques- ton. As neighbor you have no objec- tions to me, have you2"
 None whatever, doctor"
 "You, as the gentleman you have al. ways been, will not deny me the pleasure of visiting your house."
 No, sir. hope that am too much of a southerner to shut my door in the face of man whom we all know to be eminently respectable"
 "I thank you, judge"
 "But," the judge continued, "your movements shall be watched. Should you attempt to run away with Nora, my wrath shall fall upon you. shall keep a shot gun within easy reach"
 "Well, sir, l accept your terms"
 CHAPTER II.
 The next day Graves and Nora sat in the parlor. Through the window they could see the judge with his shot gun. The old man, like picket, stood on the lawn.
 "Nora, dear, fear that am putting your father to a great deal of trouble"
 "Oh, not at all, dear. He doesn't mind it, assure you. It is quite pleas ure to him."
 "What strangely unreasonable man he is.'
 "Yes, he's provoking. Do you not think that he will give his consent after a while e2"
 "The hope that he will sustains me, Nora"
 It sustains me, too; yet, knowing his awful determination, cannot help but feel"
 "Come, Nora, don't be downcast. I will yet devise plan"
 "Of running awayr
 "No, of gaining his consent"
 "Oh, dc hope so."
 The old man walked up to the window and, leaning bis gun against tree, en- tered into conversation. The young man stepped outside and began to talk