The Abilene reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1883-1888, 1885-08-06
A "M0DEL FATHER. "
Story Of e Scheming Tragedian
and His Pretty Daughter.
Low Cunning and Selfish Ambition on
the One Hand, and Innocent Purity
and Dutifuf Devotion
the Other.
BY DAVID CHRISTIE MURRAY.
CHAPTER DISCONTINUED.

in COrioli, he was wont to look exceed
ingly brave and noble and ready to face
armies. But It IS not only in real life
that a man may play brave parts with
out much inward hero SIN. While he
spoke he put sOn his hat and moved
toward the door, laying a tremulous
hand on Jack sleeve. The young fell
low mechanically obeyed rhe impulse
thus given, and retired step. He was
not within the house, and the TRACED an,
stepping out, closed the door with a
bang. Cameron turned ami faced him
in the street.
Il have the very hest of all reasons
for disbelieTing the story you told Cas-
.sidy tonight he said. The two men
stood not far from street lamp, and
sideways to it, so that each could see
the others face with some clearness.
Neither liked what he saw. The great
tragedian looked shifty and i'll at ease
much Ike detected liar, the young
man thought, and yet he feared worse
for mself and his sweetheart than that
would prove. And quarrel with the
man-which hardly seemed avO:dable
would help him little in any case.
The young artist, on the other hand,
looked to Mr.. Bassett's eyes unpleasant
ly tall, strong, well-knit, and resolute.
There w8s not in Jacks m nd the faint
est thought of violence, but his anger
and his loyalty 50 braced him that he
uncOnSciOusly carried MS walking cane
ike a saber'on the slope, and Mr.. Bas-
sett thought the attitude threatening.
Dear boy" he began. in propitiatory
tones. Il was an unwilling witness to
your interview with my daughter last
night in the lane at Oakenham." Jack
lowered his stick with such a gesture
that Mr.. Bassett retired a step.
"Well?' said the artist.
81 know. therefore on what admira-
BILE grounds you base your clam. |
have no doubI that, but for the offer
subsequently made, my daughter would
have married YOU if you had continued
to desire it.
land, after seeing what you saw, you
thought it honorable to ask Mr.. Wealth
erley intentIons?'
Dear boyr' said Mr. Bassett, in
,deep-tened disclaimer
You told Cassidy that" Jack said,
stern'y.
A father" said Mr.. BasSett, unwill-
fngly accepting the position, ''has a
right 10 do his best for the interests of
his child.
You think YOU do your best for your
daughter by going about to trap her
into cupidity-by asking he. to deny an
honest love, and to marry a man whom
she dislikes, for money!"
Pardon me, dear boy" said Mr..
Bassett. Il am responsible to myself.
You feel ill-u>ed That is natural. |
am sorry for YOU, but you will soon get
over ii. / have acted in my child best
interest, and am glad that she sees
things in a sensible light. You must
allow that she is free agent. And |
must beg YOU 10 understand, dear boy"
4he continued, growing holder, for Jack
was standing with bent head by this
'time. and no longer troubled the actor
with his eyes-''I must beg you to
understand that everything is over
between Mary and yourself. and that
| VIII not have her molested in her
choice
''BaSsett," said the young fellow.
looking up again, white and stern, Il
don't believe you. Your daughter has
nO biOl vi NOlSl Wv III Hdlult III hCl
Take me to see her. Let me hear the
news from her own lips; for until do
l shall know that you are liar. | can
see it in your face. Take me in and let
me hear it from her"
NO" said the tragedian, Il can't
do that, dear boy l can overlook your
insult TO me; you are not master of
yourself. and YOU will regret it hereaf-
ter. / am acting for the best interests
of my child. have no doubt that she
sacrifices a romantic dream, but she
sees things in their common-sense as
pect-their business aspect, dear boy
and"
I'm not believe it." cried the lover,
so that his voice rang clear across the
square. How should he believe it,with
her kisses so fresh upon his lips? And
vet many dreams have fallen into pieces
so, and-the brittle picture broken-the
world has looked cold and bleak beyond
the shards, for many ard many hap
less lad and lass. And he knew that
well enough.
The cry which his pain and rage had
wrung from him brought Cassidy at a
swift walking pace from the other side
of the square.
''You stick to your story, BaSsett,"
he said, breaking in upon them with no
ceremony. Jacks me dearest friend.
aud I've right here, in a way, since
twas to me We told the news"
Il am very sorry, dear boy" said
the actor. who welcomed CASH
dy's arrival with all his heart. The
gyurl has chosen sensibly. and, of
course, Cameron's hurt. But it is i'm
possible that | should accede to his re-
quest. and allow him to pain my daugh-
ter (and himselD by useless interview.
She has thrown him over to marry a
richer man, and she has done it of her
own free will, and, on the whole, with
my approval; and of course it is ex-
tremely painful and unwelcome to be
used in that way"
Jack" Sbid Cassidy, '..f tits true.
and that seems likely. ye'd no. care to /
see her and to hear her humiliata her
self by speaking it. Let Bassett ask her
to write
Il accede to that" said Mr.. Bassett.
with so much eagerneSs and confidence
that Jacks heart for moment died /!
within him.
never had line from her," he !
said, miserably. LET her tell me of !
something which only she and know j
of, or l won't believe the letter comes /.
from her"
You shall have her own statement |
by first post tomorrow" said the IA
Their. 4 can forgive the poor BOYS nat |
ural suspicious" he added, in mellow |
Snrrrour IN Cassidy