The World. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1891-1896, 1892-06-04

you, for it gives me an opportunity to
congratulate you upon your brilliant de-
gree.
"Thank you, Mr.. Daniels managed
to respond. II did my best at college,
and now l hope to succeed as well in
my profession.
"Why, of course you will; you know
l always said you would make your
mark. But why do you not sit down,
my boya Have cigarf"
My hosts cordiality gave me courage;
and took cigar from his case and sat
down more at ease. than had felt all the
long day. But as l smoked aud re-.
fected my doubts returned; had come
TO ask for so much, and could offer so
little.
swell, well, well, to think of it,"
Mr.. Daniels said, almost as much to
himself as to me. ''How easily can re-
member the time when you and Elsie
were little children. Now she lisa young
lady, somewhat of hoyden still, GER
tainly; but she will get over that before
long, have no doubt. And you, Frank
Hoyt, whom saw, but few short years
ago, playing your part as her little beau,
| in your short trousers and shorter
| jacket, are now man and have obtained
your diploma as civil engineer. All
the prizes of Queens College! The Gold
Medal of the Royal University! l say,
Frank-he abruptly interrupted himself,
~ presume l shall have to call you MIR.
Hoyt now"
II hope not, SIR" I answered, az
want to be always Frank to you, and to
be frank with you," continued in an
attempt at pleasantly, 81 came to
speak with you about matter that con-
Germs us all-me particularly" q
"Ah, !" he said, interrogatively.
"Yes, SIR" l answered, determined
quickly to bring our conversation to d
decisive point. 1.-The fact is, am
anxious to obtain your consent to Elsie's
becoming my wife," ~
He was silent for what appeared to
me a long time. Then he took off his
glasses, and, and striking them gently
| upon his knee as if to accentuate his
his words, said:
Frank, l believe l told you that
deem you man. And also expressed
my pleasure at the suspicious manner in
| which you begin your career; begin your
career, mind you. Butt" his manner
! grew more formal, "what have you, sir,
! that warrants thoughts of marriage7
What prospects, None, as yet, that have
taken shape. Your little property yielded
enough to pay your expenses while at
| college, for you were steady young
man. Now you have a profession, but
to marry with nothing else-and to
marry girl like Elsie, accustomed to
luxury-it is out of the question" AZ.
''But, Mr.. Daniels"
II know what you would say" he
continued. "You have confidence in
your ability, and doubtless you will sue
coed, provided nothing untoward hap
pens to you. But in your profession
there are many difficulties to contend
with; however, you are too young to
consider them. Another thing, too,
Elsie is still a child; girl of seventeen
hardly knows her mind. Mr.. Hoyt, to
sum it all up in few words, l am
obliged to refuse my consent"
l bit my lips. Mr.. Daniels" finally
found courage to say, ''are there no con
ditions, no" '..,
swell, Frank" he said, ~ should
peremptorily dismiss you, but like you
too well for that, III tell you what l
will do. will secure you an appoint
! ment as assistant engineer on the Te-
huantcpec Railroad, of which you know 1
am direct or. If you succeed in be-
coming the chief engineer with salary
of at least thousand Mexican dollars,
and Elsie then wishes it, will withdraw
my opposition. -" -
'Slr Daniels /" exclaimed, grateful
| ly clasping his hand.
| ''But letme finish, f" he said. "Dur-
ing the time that you strive to achieve
your purpose, there shall be no engage
ment between you, and furthermore you
shall not communicate with each other.
i l want Elsie to be entirely Free" n
4 ! knew that to ask for any modification
OF his conditions would prove futile;
therefore, thanked him as pleasantly
as ] could, and bowed myself out. y