Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-11-23

should have come first of all from me. The
outside world might be excused for think
ing this or that of Mr.. Bethune; but I was
constantly with him; and then, look at the
relations that exist between Maisrie and
myself I thought was doing enough in
the way of generosity when tried to shut
my eyes to certain things; whereas should
have tried to see more clearly. I might
have understood-if any one. remember
now Maisrie's saying to me on one occasion
it was about that book ON the Scottish
| American poets-she said quite piteously:
"Don't you understand? Don't you un-
derstand that grandfather can persuade
himself of anything? If he has thought a
thing over, he considers it done, and is ready
for something else And then there was
| another time
"Come, come" said Mr. Thompson, good
naturedly, '1 don't see that you have much
to reproach yourself with. You must ad-
NIT that that affair-if he really did see the
| proof sheets in New Ycrk-looked pretty
bad. You say yourself that Hugh An.
struther was staggered by il
"Yes, he was," said Vincent, until e1-
planned that the money had been repaid to
Lord Musselburgh, and also that I had no
doubt Mr.. Bethune considered himself,
from his knowledge OF the subject, quite en-
titled to publish q volume on the other side
of the water. Mr.. Ross's book was pub
lished only on this side-at least, that is my
impression"
did you tell Anstruther who repaid the
money TO Lord Musselburgb?" Mr.. Thomp-
son asked, with shrewd glance.
mo-" answered Vincent, looking rather
shameless.
"Ah, well, the banker said, "a freak of
generosity is very pardonable in young
man, especially where a young lady is con-
cerned. And you had the means besides.
Your father is a rich man. isn't he?"
| "Oh, yes, pretty well of"
"And you-now forgive my curiosity-it
only arises from interest in the little Mar
garrett dare say you are allowed suf6-
cient income2"
'I have more money than need" said
Vincent, frankly, but of course that would
not be the case il I married Maisrie Be-
thune, for then should have to depend on
my own resources. 1 should have to earn
my own living"
"Oh. earn your own living7 Well, that
is very commendable, in any case. And
ing?"
| by writing for the newspapers"
| "Have you had any experience2" Mais-
rie's second father" confined.
| "Yes, q little; and have had fair en-
couragement. Besides I know one or two
important people in the newspaper world"
"And what about your seat in Parlia-
ment?"
'That would not interfere; there are sew
| eral journalists in the House."
. The banker considered for little while,
"Seems little hazardous, doesn't it, to
break away from q certainty of incomePi he
asked. at length. "Are you quite convinced
thatif you married Margaret your relatives
would prove so implacable?"
| ut isn't what they would do that is the
| question, Vincent responded, with prompti-
tude. SIT is what I should be inclined to
do. At present they regard Maisrie as
nothing more nor less than a common ad-
ventures and swindler-or rather an un-
common one-a remarkably clever one.
Now do you think am going to take her
by the hand ard lead her up to
them and say, Dear Papa or Dear Aunt
| as the case may be, Here is the
adventures and swindler whom have mar
ried, but she is not going to be wicked any
more; she is going to reform, and beg You
to receive her into the family, and forgive
her all that she has been; and also I hope
that you will give me money to support her
and myself You see," continued Vincent,
"betore 1 did that 1 think would rather
| Try " uuu Oub NOW II uCu q week L cOQlQ
make by writing leading articles"
Quite right-quite right" said Mr..
| Thompson with smile; for why this seorn
he had not counseled the young man to
debase himself So
"And then it isn't breaking away from
any certainty of income" Vincent pro-
ceeded, but quite the reverse. The GER
talnty is that as soon as announce nv in
tention of marrying Miss Bethtne nv father
| mil hat h., a. T.
Very we'll. I'm not afraid. I can take nv
chance like another. They say that poverty
is good test of affection. am ready to
face it, for one."
| ''Ob, as for that" the banker interposed.
II wish you to understand this-that your
bride won't come to you empty-handed.
George Bethune may hold aloof from me as
long as he likes. If he thinks it is more
dignifed for him to 60 cadging about with
vague literary proiects-all ior the honor
and glory of Scotland, no doubt-instead of
| him, L have nothing to say. NY names
only Thompson; noblesse oblige has
nothing to do with me. But when
my little Margaret walks into church
with the man of her choice, it will
be my business to see that she is suitably
provided tor. lido not mean to boast, or make
rash promises, or raise false expectations
| out when her husband brings her away
| it will be no pauper he is taking home with
him. And 1 want to add this, since we are
talking in confidence: hope her husband
will be none other than yourself I like
you. like the way you have spoken of
both grandfather and granddaughter; and
like your independence. By all means
when you get back to the old country: by
all means carry out that project of yours OF
earning an income for yourself. 1t can do
you no harm, whatever happens; it may be
invaluable to you in certain circumstances.
And in the meantime if may still further
advise, give up this search OF yours for the
present. Idare say you are now convinced
they are not on this side the water; WELL let
that suffice for the time being. Here
is Parliament coming together; you
have your position to make; aud
the personal friend and protege
of Mr.. - should surely have a great
chance in public:l1fe. Of course, you will
say it is easy to talk. But don't misunder-
stand me. What can you do except attend
to these immediate and practical affairs? If
George Bethune and Margaret have de-
cided, for reasons best known to themselves,
to sever the association between you and
them, mere advertising won't bring them
back. And searching the streets of this or
that town is a pretty hopeless business. No;
II you hear of them, it will not be in that
way: it will be through some communica-
tlon with some common friend and just as
likely as not that friend will be myself"
All this seemed very reasonable-and
hopeless. Vincent rose.
Il must not keep you up too late," said
he, in an absent sort of way. II suppose
Won -,z.l.3 + L L