Wichita eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1886-1890, 1888-09-28
"N0BLESSE OBLIGE.'

"NOBLESSE OBLIGE.7
Dick Middleton closed the door softlybehind
him, and stood for moment rejecting upon
the new turn of affairs. As matter of fact,
the result Of the interview had been just
what he expected, and yet he felt aggrieved,
baffled, Inundated Mr. Carpenter, he was
forced to admit, had spoken nothing but the
truth. Unfortunately, the truth, in Dicks
actual frame of mind, was precisely what he
was least disposed TO listen to. He had been
prepared to offer such boundless prospect
OF good resolves in the future that it was
Irritating to find Mr.. Carpenter resolutely
determined to consider nothing save the ex-
perience of the past.
"Its deuced hard" Dick muttered to him
self as he slowly descended the stairs ''One
would think was an out and out blackleg
instead of an ordinary, easy going sort Of a
fellow, with no worse vice than a turn for
billiards, or fancy for hand at ecarte.
don't know that I've accomplished much
good in my time, but I'm equally sure I've
done no great harm. And it isn't every one, !"
he added, with a grim little laugh, ''can
boast as much in our setn
On reaching the hall Dick halted again
Evidently he was in no hurry to go, as was
shown by the careful manner In which he
slowly drew on one glove after the other.
Presently the reason for this elaboration be-
came apparent. A side door was cautiously
opened and the face of curly headed young
girl made itself visible
Dick" said its owner in an agitated
whisper, ''Dick, how did he take itT'
about as bad as any one could" returned
the young man, with disregard Of gram
NAUTICAL nicely that may have been the result.
OF nervousness
'Oh, Dick" said the girl, with something
like sob, what shall we doa Como in and
tell me all about it."
Thus adjured, Dick laid aside his hat and
followed the other into the room, where she
had been waiting the termination of the dis
cussion between the two mon up stairs. A
look of alarm overspread her face as she OBJ
served the gloomy expression ON her lovers
features.
There's not much to tell,n said Dick dole
fully; 'the odds were against me from the
start. and the governor, I'm afraid, takes tho
cake"
''You mean that papa has refused his con-
sentF
"Yes," replied Dick; ''that's about what it
comes to-"
'But why-whym cried the girl with
stamp of the foot, while deeper color
to her face. What were bis rea-
sons! How did he justify himselfg"
The question, if it was to be truthfully an
swered, placed Dick in an awkward position
1t was bad enough to be told by Nellie's father
that he was a lazy, good for nothing scape-
grace, who would never achieve anything in
this world but tho expenditure of his meager
income of four hundred year upon his own
selfish pleasures, to the support of which, by
the way, Mr.. Carpenter sternly declined to
contribute. But to be forced to repeat such
brutal sentiments to Nellie was, Dick felt, a
little beyond human endurance
Your father" he said at last with GER
tain touch of constraint, ''objects to the small
ness of my income"
as that allf' said Nellie, breaking into
relieved smile
To Dick tho obstacle, it must be allowed,
had appeared Of sufficient weight, but at the
it seemed to him unnecessary to give
to his opinion the prominence it doubtless de
served
''As if that could make any differencer'
she went On, with a proud little gesture
Rich or poor, you will always be the same
to me. How could you believe otherwiser
Poor Dicki After all, he was at heart q
gentleman, and he knew, better even than
Mr. Carpenter, that the idol which Nellie 50
tondly worshiped was in truth fashioned Of
very inferior clay. Had be followed his nat
lral impulse, he would at that moment have
taken her to his arms, and vowed that neither
father, nor friends, nor tho worlds opinion
should ever part them. But somehow a
feeling, Of which he himself was
only vaguely conscious, prevented him
from carrying into effect an intention
which, he seemed to recognize intuitively
tather than by any process Of reasoning, lay
without the range of perfect loyalty to the
girl who thus placed her trust in him
He retreated step or two, unable to meet
Sellic's glance. ut won't do" he said at
ength. Il have no right to prejudice your
future like that"
For an instant the girls eyes filed with
ears, and her breath came quickly. But she
peedily recovered herself "Ah," she cried;
Il understand; you would sacrifice your
to mine, Dick. But you are wrong,
quite wrong, if you think it is to be gained
~ running away. Surely am old enough
o Judge what Is best for me-" She laughed
With toss OF her pretty head And
low I'm going to papa myself; be
las never yet refused me anything, and
t viii be strange if he begins with what il
!earer 20 me than all else"
To Dicks mind this defamation opsned I'D
! new phase Of hope, and in some way, not
,erhaps TO be logically demonstrated, but
clear for his purpose, reversed tbs
lecided refusal uttered . moment ago By
Sellie,s father. Under the circumstances,
herefore, he felt justified In marking his ap-
,rovAl Of the step in the nlanner customary
et~een lovers This happily accomplished,
Ie took his departure, Nellie promising to
communicate to him It o0cs the res7l: Of tbs
Interview with her father. On the whole, 10
vas not disposed 70 despair Of success even
low. He had seen 50 many proofs Il Mr. /
carpenters affection for his daughter that u |
Fouli be hard b argued IL she did not sue I
esd in Convincing that Stubborn gentleman /
On LOOKING at his watch Dick found that IL .
ras barely 8, Just time for . Stroll In the /
ark before din1er He szunteFod quietly /
ITO Kenxingtsn EArdsns. and thence along |
be row, grcseng acqsaintancss - - pa@ed, /
ut stopping 70 soak - rczss. A sligs4 re-
'ulzon Of feeling lad svsFtAhen him /
What, be thoughs il Nellies sHorss saoGd 1
ruye fufiie3 yoy % do him jrSSsca b vne |