San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1886-01-23
PASSIVE CRIME.
BY THE DUCHESS.
CHAPTER VIII.
4 True LOVER.

PenuddOck rallies, and tells himself that
her presence in this particular house is but
one of the condolences that Will occasional
~ occur in all our lives, and that her wild al
lnsiOn to Objectionable dates has only arisen
from the morbid qualities that 90 so far to
make up her character.
By the time his son has arrived, and is
llShered into his private Slttlng-rOnm, he Is
himself again. composed, calm, and cold, and
freer from foolish sentiment than he was an
hour ago reaction having set in.
lie opens his subject, which has to do en-
trely with Dicks misplaced affection for
Miss Neville, so called, without any APP
peaTance of excitement or undue warmth,
merely expressing in every possible way his
disapprObatiOn OI the young lady to whom
his son Is so devoted.
When he has finished, Dick for several mo
mentS remains quite silent.
When rejected by Maud on the night of
tine dance he had given way to despair, but
SO many little things have occurred since
then TO encourage new hopes, that he has,
ON reflection, declined to be altogether dis
heartCned.
Her love is not as yet given to another, and
therefore she may be his some time in the
happy underlined future.
Il regret that must go against you in this
matter, he says at length, quietly but de
cidedly.
He is standing on the hcarth-rug, his arms
folded, and looking fTOwningly upon the car
pet
His father, standing opposite to him, with
clOuded brow, is regarding him anXiOnSly.
You speak like child who is asked to re.
linquish favored and dangerous toy" he
says, COntemptuOuSly. "lO on, with your for
tune and position, to marry girl pennileSs,
nameleSS-nay, if report speaks correctly,
even worse than--'
THAT will do" says the young man, with
a sudden gesture Suggestive of passion. Say
nothing more, if you please. Its of no COnSe-
quencc whatever to me that she is poor and
nalneleSs, a were Shr possessed of all the
= wealth III ChrlStendOn, and owner of the
highest title in the land, could not possibly
love her more than | do now"
Sentiment in the young is adWiTable,"
says PenruddOck, in a Sneering tone. 1t be-
trays amiabilty and good feeling. But even
virtues may be carried to excess. DO you
pardon me-but do you mean to HdITv this
young wOman"'
1t would be difficult to say why, but who
ever knew a man that wasn't annoyed when
any one called the girl he loved 'yOung
woman?
What else should mcan," he asks, with
wretchcdly-cOncealed ire, ''it She will have
me?'
Oh! you need not entertain any anxiety
on that point. They always have one, says
PenruddOCk, cOntemptuIuSIy. 1t is geneT-
ally a complete take in from start to finish"
Then, changing his tone from one Of UNI
pleasant banter to that of authority, Now
look here he says; let us have no more OF
this. You can't marry her"
Perhaps as he speaks lie fOrgetS how the
son mhertS his own blood and temper to
some degree.
Il shall be quite charmed if nothing more
Is said about it, said Dick, brushing care
lessIy some spots of dust from his coat; but
/ snail certainly marry Miss Neville if l can
induce her to accept me-"
There is something in the quiet determine
ton of his tone that mpresSeS George Pen
ruddOck.
Going over to his son, he lays his hand up
on his shoulder, and says more gently-nay,
even with en- reaty-"Ihnk well Of what
you are going to do. This marriage will
mean to you ruin, misery, unayailing regret"
1t means my one chance OF happiness"
says Dick, with deep sigh, throwing up his
head, ana looking eagerly forward, as though
in the distance he could see some sight that
to him was iull of sweetness and light.
Can nothing move yOu?' asks PenTud-
dock, unsteadiiy. Not all the years gone
by, in which have lived, and thought. and
speculatcd Tor you alone? Is this, after all
that'i have done, to be my sole TetuIn?'
Dear father" says Dick, turning to him
with quick and eager affection, why try to
make me miserable? | remember all-every
kind word and kinder action; and would
implOre you in this, the most important act
Ol lily me- u give lllt NOll - llpdtlN. W ntl
you Know Maud you will better understand
me- because you, too, will love her. TO-mOT-
row | shall ask her again to be my wife, and
If she consents, when land here lie looked
and spoke very mOumtully) Il strongly
doubt, you viii gain daughter as loving as
your son:
Nay" says PenruddOck, angrily, turning
aside; II want no daughter picked from the
mire. Go, SIR pointing to the door. Il
shall not again sue 10 You for either your
love or ObeuIcuce. Yet stay, and hear my
last words, as YOU intend to 20 tomorrow to
ask that girl again TO marry you. | warn
YOU | shall be mere too, To explain 10 her the
terrible injustice she will do you should she
consent To your proposal
And | warn YOU" says Dick, calmly, but
in very curious tone, that II will he eX-
tremely unwise of You, or any one TO say
anything likely to wound or offend Miss Ne
vile. even in the very slightest degree"
As the door closes upon his son, George
PenrIlddOck sinks heavily into the nearest
chair, covers his face with his hands, and is
overcome with emotion.
And for this have suffered, and endured,
and SinnedV he says, with a cOnvulsiNC
shudder. ''Oh, that II were possible to undo
my wrelched past! But that can never be,
as!.that can never be-
When Dick leaves his fathers presence, it
Is but 10 hasten 10 his rooms, aud send a
hasty but tender note 10 Miss Neville telling
her of his intention q call next day, and
again entreat her to look IavOrabiy upon his
suit
Then he puts in few lines about his faith
eT, very dellcatsly written, saying that he
ole" i"te"ds r"tti"'' =" o" "''''"'~"''"e "'