The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1891-10-17
NOT FOR GOLD.

$4,000 OF good money III Ine DduA Vi 0eo'
land"
TOO little" replied Ronald, in a medita-
tive manner. II could not sell myself SO
cheap"
But there is the lasse forbye; she is not
bal looking, and she is careful house
wife and a good Christian"
DOUBTLESS, mother, she is better than she
is bonnie; but l know girl worth ever SO
much more than Janet Mcdonald"
THAT Will be Baltic Johnson's daugh-
ter"
You de me too much honor. do not as
pire TO a woman six feet high, especially
when her temper is of equal proportions.
"Well. Isabelle has a bad temper. But
Janet is different; sue has no vice, and
mo heart"
''She has plenty of money"
And no intellect"
"But she has interest enough 10 send you
81 don't want to 20 there, mother. and l
do want my dinner, and yOu are taking
away nv appetite" And Ronald drew tn
moOr-cock toward him and helped hlmse II
so literally that Mrs Mitchell may be eX-
cused for doubling the fact. Then there
was few minutes silence which aid not
deceive Ronald: he knew it was the lull be-
fore the storm. His mothers attitude OF
Indifference and lStlessness was all as
sumed; he was perfectly lamlllar WIN II,
and kuew-f0r none had better reason 10
kuOw-what proud, resOlute spirit II hid.
She was only hesitatiug how to open the
subject which lay nearest her heart, because
Ronald maintained q neutrality oil perfect
. silence: and she knew that If she began the
dispute, she gave him, at the opening OF the
argument, all the advantages which belong
to the defendant.
While She was hesitating a servant brought
in a card and gave 1t to her.
at is Wyie, Ronald, she said; you
had better 20 and see him."
"Why so, mother? I know nothing about
the property. You and he have always
managed ii. Besides, have an engagement
at haif-past Z.
but something must ba done. Every
year the rents are decreasing. My Income
will soon be at starvation point
Ronald looked up and smiled incredul-
ously.
"0h, yes. l keep up an appearance, of
course and | suppose l shall always be able
to do that, for am not one OF the foolish
women who spend as they go. / have laid
a little by to help the futurei but what IS to
become of you ?"
"Heigh-ho! I have a good angel I sup
pose"
A good wife would be mora to the pur-
pose, and if you would only marry Janet
Mcdonald. she would bring you a fine es-
tate; besides, size Is a prudent lassie and
would help you TO keep the gear well TO-
gether."
"How do you know that janet would have
me?"
u have already spoken to her."
at was throwing words away, mother
If there is anything else l can please you
in ! shall be willing and oOedlent but l
dare not cast my life away-not for gold, at
least"
yet YOU are going to do it for pretty
You are mistaken. I have my price, I
suppose; but neither land nor beauty are
able to buy me-"
passes the comprehension OF women. Where
are you going this evening"
ITO Mrs. SOTleY's."
ITO see Miss Eve. Very well, Ronald.
Remember, if you decline TO accept Janet
Mcdonald as your wife, | also decline 10 re-
ceive Eve SOr.ey as my daughter. l sup
pose the right of rejection is left to ME as
well as YOU
Net equally, mother. cannot make
Janet my wife; but l, by marrying Eve, can
make her your daughter"
al deny II, sir, for in such case you
would no longer be my SON. Good evening.
sir"
Mrs. Mitchell yictrix, as usual" said
Ronald, laughing softly to himself and
slowly reIil.iug his glass. Here is new
turn IN affaiTs. l must 20 and see what Eve
On the way there be tried not to think of
the subject; it perpleXed aud annoyed him;
but Eve had a way OF letting sunlight into
everything. aud whatever she said, Of course,
he should d.. Eve, watching aud listening
in the shadow Of the crimson draperies,
Leard tie echoes Of bis long. swinging steps
ana OWNED in them something new.
WHAT Is the matter, Ronald? do not
believe l shall call you sans Soncr to-
night; you look troubled"
?'You may call me the 'disinher tied
knight"
''What have you been dolng?" said Mrs
Sorley,
my sin is one of omission, madam. You
see, Mrs. Sorley, l am only part of the es-
state to my mother. She wants to invest
me profitaOy, Just as she does the interest
Oh her loans and savings. At present she
allows me $50 year; but If l refuse to
carry cut her plans she will withdraw It, l
am sure. Then what am l to do? ?"
ask Eve"
Eve met the questioning face with one of
go to work, sir, and make FIVE hundred
pounds year. ! will marry you when you
can make three hundred pounds. What do
you say to thHtP
THAT you are the wisest and loveliest
and bravest little lady in Christendom";
and he fairly lifted her in his arms and
kissed her.
"Put me down, Ronald, and listen to
what | say. You are SIX feet two Inches
high and strong as Hercules. You never
have headache and are just % years old.
'DisinheritedI Pshawi Your inheritance
is In your own keeping. The world is given
to the children Of men; go into 1t and take
your portion"
Nothing strengthens man in trouble like
the sympathy and help OF the woman he
loves. Ronald went from Ewes presence
gifted with definite purpose and an ap-
pointed task. On his return home he found
his mother half sitting and half lying in a
large duchess chair, laZy dipping her toast
Int glass of mulled wine; but at Ronald S
entrance she partly turned her head and
said in a sleepy manner:
Your energy IS exhauStin5 and unneces-
sary, Ronald. wish you would be more
gentlemauly."
He tried to obey her, as he had always
done, but he was too excited tonight Be-
fore he got half way across the room he
stumbled over small ottoman, and then
kicked it out Of his way.
what is the matter with you. sir
What kind Of company have you been in to
bring such a riotous influence back with
you"
Il have been with two OF the MODEST
women In tile world, mother"
Indeed? l am sure | should never have
thought So" And the sneering accent was
very perceptble.
Il told you l was going to Mrs. Scrley's,
and have been"
VERY well, sir; that is enough. am not
curious about the family. We will change
the subject, please"
The habit of obedience was so strong that
he remained silent-if silence that III light be
called in which every attitude was eloquent
with resistance.
1.-The two Wilkes were here tonight
They wish you to join fishing excursion to
the TrosaChs, l told them | was sure you
would 20"
You are mistaken, mother. l shall be
better employed, ! hope"
Mrs. Mitchell raised her eyes incredulUus-
ly, but asked:
"H0w2"
81 am going to try to find some work to
do"
Work. almost screamed his mother
And pray what can you do?"
Indeed, mother, very little; but 1 can
learn. l have been taught nothing useful
my education is superficial, and no PROBES
sion has been given me. l am not ever
fit for a clerkship. / see nothing before mi
bat manual labor, unless you continue my
allowance while | study law or medicine
you have begun at the wrong end o.
your story, sir, Now be pleased to begin
your argument properly. What led you Il
a. ~