Phillipsburg herald. [volume] (Phillipsburg, Kan.) 1882-1905, 1891-05-21
CHAPTER III.
nfOrffuB Avn apE

when Ralp entered the OOuQOlr OF his
mother, that lady showed few traces OF
the detection which she had exhibited
while alone. Her expression was serious,
almost severe, as with the majestic grace
that distinguished her she invited her son
70 take a seat by her side.
Il desire to talk TO you on a matter
that gives me good deal Of annoyance,
she began. There seems to be an abb
surd rumor alOat which brings your
name into connection with a wOman-an
actress, or something of that sort OF
course, this gossip is without fOunda-
ton; 1 am aware of that But cannot
something be done to prevent any fur
Their annOyance?"
Ralph had sustained without flinching
the sharp, inquisitorial glance of those
cold gray eyes. Yet he hesitated a little
before he answered
EIf you refer to my relations with Miss
Lyon, mamma he replied at last, AyOu
are mistaken. RumOr, in this case,
speaks the truth, and 1 came here with
the intention of telling you that I shall
marry that lady"
Mrs. Warrlngham grew pale. Her
sons firm manner and determined words
told her that his purpose was settled
Yet she was resolved to try what her
influence could do TO shake his irmness.
This is no matter for cheap wit
Ralph" she said with an impatient toss
of her head, while her eyebrows con-
tracted. @Let US talk seriously"
Il am talking seriously, mamma
have declared my love to- Miss Lyon, and
she has promised to become my wife"
A look of fiery Indignation met his
eyes. Mrs Warringham resembled
more than ever a wrathful goddess, as
she sat erect in her chair.
@And you dare tell your mother that
you mean to make such a creature her
daughter-in-law?"
81 dare tell her that I mean to marry
a lady who is in every respect worthy
the regard and love Of my mother.
%Ralph, are you lost to all sense of
honOr?"
The young mans face grew dark, but
his determination was mistaken
Il am acting strictly honorable in
marrying a woman against whose char
acter not the slightest objection can be
raised-a woman, moreover, whom l
love with all my heart and who returns
my love with equal fervOr.
The young man had grown enthusiast
tie, as he always did when he was led to
talk Of his love. But his mother was
the last person on earth to be impressed
with the youthful en- thusiasm of a lover
"YOu are too old to indulge in bOyish
sentimentalities. You must see that
such a marriage is impossible.
@And why should it be impOssible?"
Il must ask you a second time to treat
this matter seriously. Have yOu for
gotten your position in society and that
of your family2"
81 do not see how my position in soei-
ETY. should be threatened by my marrying
a lady who is worthy and able to be one
of sOciety's greatest ornaments"
Nwa u-faN aNN rafH fa1
and hardly know what you are saying
Tomorrow you will think differently"
Il assure you, mamma, that IL is my
fixed purpose to marry Miss Lyon.
Mrs. Warringham now determined TO
try how far her authority would go. In
the severest tone at her command she
thus addressed her son:
"And l assure you that shall never
give my consent to such q preposterous
folly
Ralph hesitated a moment before he
replied His mothers determination by
no means rendered his own decision less
irrevOeable, but he desired to elothe his
answer in words that would give her the
least offense-
81 am very sorry, dear mamma" he
rejoined. @to do anything that is at all
dlstasteful to you But" And here
the generous fellow became again enthu-
SlaStlc- lie seized MS mothers hand,
and his voice assumed a pleading tone.
at is the happiness Of my life that is at
stake I could not live without the
woman whom love. know that my
mother will not be averse 20 anything
that is necessary for her sons happiness "
Mrs. Warringham perceived that her
authority was of no avail in this case
But Ralph's emotion reminded her that
she had another weapon which might
prove far more powerful 1t was her
last resource
For a brief while there was silence.
Mrs. Warringham avoided the gaze OF
her son, and turned her head as If "a
look out of the window. There was
nothing to be seen outside but a speck OF
blue sky that was slowly being covered
with grayish clouds
/ Ralph sat motioniess, his body lean
ing forward. his right hand. which still
clasped that Of his mother, resting IN