Dodge City times. [volume] (Dodge City, Kan.) 1876-1892, 1885-05-21

her. Unlike most young ladies of th'
present day, Leola Forester did no
value man by his ancestry or his banl
account
"You wished to see me, papa" sh,
said in a pleasant, clear voice, through
the music of which one caught ring o
self confidence; then she saw Dick and
smiling, held out her hand to him.
| Mr.. Alvon," she said pleasantly, 81 an
pleased to see you" Her father frowneC
haughtily as he stepped forward in tim,
to prevent the young mans touching thu
offered hand.
"Leola," he said, half sternly, 81 sen
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 mar
was deadly pale and his lips were firmly
set; indeed, he looked very unlike &
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
Il offer no insolence," Dick answered
now recovering himself sufficiently to
draw forwards chair for Leola, for which
she thanked him. 81 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 1 declined that honor in hel
name. Doubtless you would like very
well to WOO and win an heiress, Mr.
Alvon, but as told you, 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; lis it necessary
to insult gentleman who pays
your daughter so great q compliment,
who is deserving at least of your cour-
tesy? Since you have spoken SO rudely
to Mr.. Alvon, perhaps it would be as
well for him to speak to me on this
subject; will answer him as a 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"
81 do not think 1 will quite say that
papa" the girl said, her cneeks flushed
her eyes glowing. 81 will say solely
what my heart prompts. l am listening,
Mr.. Alvon," turning to him, with a
slight tremor in her voice.
Dick had been very patient, consider
ing that he was usually slow to anger.
He was rather pale still, as he lifted his
head and addressed Leola.
81 am what l have Just been called
Miss Forrester-a beggarly lawyer" he
said, calmly; "but am a man for all
that. 1t 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, l wrong you! You
will listen patiently, believing, while !
tell you that have grown to love you
with a mans best love; that 1 would
fain to tell you of it, and ask if there
may not be chance of winning you.
Not now, not while 1 can offer you but
my empty hand and my honest love;
but sometime, when have won a way
and drawn success to me by the efforts l
can make and will make with such
hope before me. If there is a voice in
your heart that would speak for me, DO
not silence it. am saying this to Leola
Forester, the woman love-not to
Miss Forester, the belle and heiress.
Will you answer me now, here, in your
fathers presence? would take no an
swer only from your own lips. What
will it be?"
His words, which had made the veins
on the bankers forehead swell with in
dignation, moved Leola strangely; she
flushed and paled, and the hand on the
chair-back began to tremble.
"And have told you she wants none
of your love-" Mr.. Forester broke out
impatiently; but his daughter turned to
him with sudden gesture, which 81
fenced him.
allow much you were mistaken, papa"
she said, clearly, "for do want tall of
it. I quite understand you, ~turning to
Dick, "and honor the frankness of your
manhood. take your love, oh, SO will
lingly-so gladly! have long respected
you beyond all others; love you now.
I will 60 with you; will help you in
your struggle; 1 will not watch you from
afar; will"
"You are mad!" her father cried. But
she had held out her hands to Dick, and
he was covering them with kisses and
whispering loving. disconnected words
of gratitude and affection.
"Leola, do you know what you are do
ing?" her father cried again, ready to
tear his hair with vexation. But she
smiled in her lovers face and answered
very pleasantly:
II know perfectly. papa. lam promis-
ing to be Dicks wife, and telling myself
how happy I will be-"
"You will he a besgar, then," Mr.. For
roster said, through his shut teeth. "I'll
give my money to some charity; I'll
found an asylum; I'll sink it in the Hud-
son river. You'll never touch dollar
of it!''
Papa, dear, money is very nice, but it
is not everything, especially to q womsn,"
Leola said, pleasantly. 81 don't think I'll
mind very much, papa"
'1'll close my doors against you. I'll
never look on your face again!" fumed
the "stern parent" She paled then.
Papa" she said, softly, you'll not do
that. You loved my mamma. Why
should I not love somebody, too? You
may do what you will with your money,
but love me still, papa. I could not live
without it"
Here Dick came to the front again,
smiling, rather heartlessly, I confess, at
the scene which he had caused.
Il think this can be arranged q little
differently, after ALL" he said, cheerfully.
u am not the presumptuous beggsr you
think me, Mr.. Forester; am the fortu-
nate inheritor Of . very snug fortune left
me lately by an aunt. It consists of a
fine old place on the Hudson, q cottage