The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1891-08-21


you love me, Ernst?"
Mr.. Middles bowed, but averted his
glance.
Sho sighed and murmured:
"Ah, am rich.'
Precisely, Mrs. Vincent You are
rich, you love to play piquet. and am
:he best player on the Pacific coast If
you will marry nae, viii play; if not.
not
.Well?-
Under the circumstances, I do not
see that more can nationally be said"
Cut the cards"
Eighteen. golden-haired, slim. supple.
adorable, Adele Vincent flashed her
scornful eyes on the visage of Mr. Mid
dies, who, undisturbed, sat at ease in
the conservatory.
Mrs. Vincent played solitaire in the
adjoining library, awaiting her atiianced
and piquet-
why. mamma is old enough To be
your mother. Ernst Middle&-"
81 know it"
Your motive in making this mon
strous engagement must be purely
mercenary."
strictly"
"And you feel no shame In making
the admission?"
None"
''Fau.h!-'
Thanks
''For what?''
For SO well expressing my feel
ings"
She sank upon n lounge, her pretty
feet crossed, covered her face with her
little hands, and her lovely young body
was shaken with sobs-
Don't cry" said Mr.. Niddles-
Il can't help it Oh, it is infamous!"
YES Still congratulate myself"
Congratulate yoursclf"'
Enthusiastically. have neither the
brains nor energy to conquer fortune,
therefore / marry one"
You can descend 10 that?"
81 rejoice to find that / can am
not the fool that might be. Many
men quarrel with their luck / dis
cover that ] am too wise for such folly.
Compose yourself, my dear Adele I'll
be father to YOU"
"a father, You are but eight years
older than /. Oh, Ernst, consider. You
have been a SON to mamma and a
brother to me. We have grown from
childhood together. Papa loved you.
Don't, / beg of You, don't make US all
ridiculous!'
My word is given, Adele AS gen.
tleman, ] must keep it"
"A gentleman, indeed I thought
you n man, with a mans courage, a
mans honor. OH"
Calm yourself"
Cain myself! You put me to
humiliation and sell yourself and your
talents for"
The prizes that talent gives take
years of conflict to win l get the prizes
without the conflict"
The brave young man who was to
face the world and nchicvei"
II have outgrown the illusions of
youth, Adele"
''And you will marry a woman in
whose crazed sight your chief merit is
your skill at piquet?"
''You have said"
AT least you have tho decency NOV
to pretend that you love mamma
Love is luxury. and luxury in not
for the poor. No; do not love your
mother. / love you"
Me-
Il have for years.
yOu-neEer-
Never told you Why should 1?
Would you share poverty with me.
Adele? Would l, loving you, permit
you? You speak of my talents. / have
tried to use them They do not exist"
"And you"
"Yes, with my whole heart and soul
Love you. Godi 1t is not in me to ex-
press how much!'
I'm very glad to hear it" said Mrs
Vincent wholly opening the library
door.
Mammal"
HEM
Zone word, Ernst Middles- Would
you as Adele's husband, and provided
for, play piquet with me?"
with pleasure"
You'd better marry him, Adele, my
child"
''Oh, mamma. after what has hap
pened?"
Come, Mr.. Middles. the cards arc
waiting"
But I'm neither your husband nor
your son-in-law, Mrs. Vincent
so. Adele make up your mind; yes
or no. Evidently it must be one or the
other of us Nor, Mr.. Middles; piquet,
if you please"
Not until after the ceremony,
madam" : Arthur McEwen. in A.
gonant