The record-union., 1892-06-18

unworthlneSS OF such wife. The letter
dispatched, he spent sleepless night
wondering over his fathers probable re-
ception of it, and killed the intervening
day as best he could, being under
promise to Mrs. Maple not to attempt
to see Alicia until he had received his
fathers sanction. When the answer
arrived he tore open the envelope with
/ shaking fingers, and for minute or so
/ his eyes were so dim that the blurred
| characters swan meaningless before
| them. When their meaning became
! clear to him he dropped into his chair
with groan. His father wrote curtly
and harshly, saying that he might marry
any one he would, but telling him to ex-
pect no further support or countenance
/ from him. 1t seemed the deathblow to
| his hopes. Mrs. Maple would never suf-
fer her daughter to marry penniless
! stroller. Sadly he betook himself to her
house. The lady, seated in the drawing
/ room window, marked the broken and
| detected air with which he approached,
and she was alone when Jack was shown
! In to her. She read Marsden, Sr's, letter
and was mellitiuously regretful at the
sbattering of loves young dream. '"The
| young man must See,n she said, ''that her
| duty to her daughter" Yes, Jack
saw that. 1t was all over he knew; but
mightn't he see Alicia Just for one final
moment? He would be quiet and keep
! but he must see her, just To say good-by.
Mrs. Maple, perhaps wisely, declined to
have her darling'S feelings narrowed by
a quite useless interview, and somehow,
though Jack had quite meant to say fare
| well to Alicia before leaving the house,
he found himself on the doorstep eXiled
without that final glimpse of paradise.
After the first chill fit of detection had
passed he took train to London and
rushed on his father pleading loves cause
with an eloquence which left his letter
far behind. The old man was deaf to en-
treaty, and entrenched himself from his
sons impassiOned assault behind bar
rier of cynical humor, from which Jacl ks
rhetorical cannon shots fell dead.
This is tyranny, sir, +" said Jack. "You
oYerstep the bounds of your authority,
and warn you that if Alicia will take
me l shall try to win her. as for your
money leave it where you like. l would
not give her up for all the money in the
wOrld.'
'What play is that from?" asked the
old man sourly. Jack left the house
boiling, and went back north, where he
wasted time and temper trying to per-
| suade Mrs. Maple that, after all, a young
| fellow with profession in his fingers is
not so bad a husband, as times go, and
IN trying to get a glimpse of Alicia, in
! both of which he failed completely. Jack
Marsden, with his fathers fortune in
prospect, and Jack Marsden, the disin-
herlted hummer, were two widely diff
1erent people, and the vinegar in Mrs.
Naples manner greatly predominated
over the oil. She had her duty as q
mother to think Of Setting aside the
doubtfulness of his position and re-
sources, what kind of husband was a
young man likely to make who had
started life by quarreling with his father?
Alicia, like sensible girl, shared her
mothers view Of the situation.
Let her tell me So" said Jack. "Let
her write it to me if she fears to see me
and tell me so by word OF mouth"
Mrs. Maple promised that Alicia should
write. Jack went home and waited
three days for the letter. Then he called
again to receive the answer. mot at
home"
On the following day, to quote favor
lte phrase OF popular author, remark
able thing happened. Mrs. Maple re-
ceiVed a card bearing the inscription,
''Mr. Richard Marsden," with a penciled
line asking for moments interview.
entering the drawing-room she found
there a whiteheaded, Grabbed d-faced old
man engaged in examining the books on
her drawing-rOom table.
MIR. MarSden?" she asked
The same, ma'am," answered the old
gentleman. We've not met for so long
can excuse you for not recognizing
me. on are not looking any younger"
Mrs. Maple was conscious of the fact, but
thought its statement unnecessary. II
have letter here from that scamp of a
boy OF mine" He took the document
from his pocket and scanned it through
his glasses muttering phrases from it.
Eternal atfection,' 'unchangeable,'
my darling Alicia the usual sort of
thing. l needn't trouble you with the
young idiots rawlings. You saw my
answer to his first letter." Mrs. Maple
intimated an affirmative by bend of
her mead. I've been thinking since l
wrote 1t" he went on, scowling at the
lady from under his brows, "a good wife
would be a Godsend to him-the making
Of the dog. He says here the young lady
Alicia, isn't that her name?-contound
her, where is it? Yes, Alicia-he says
Alicia would marry him if you did not
stand in the way. Is that so?''
Mrs. Maple hesitated. The old mans
mind had obviously changed since be
had answered Jacks letter. If that were
so the penniless actor was not so bad a
match alter ali.
'Girls are foolish creatures" she said
simperingly. Il have had trouble with
her. OF course, she would do her duty
II 1 called upon her to do it, but"
But she'd have no objection to mar
rying ten thousand year, nor you
either, eh?'' said Mr.. Marsden, with his
usual cynical chuckle. Let me see the
girl, ma'am. Pll sound her mettle l war
rant yOu.'
Mrs. Maple rose, saying she would
send Alicia to him.
mo you won't, ma'am. if you please.
Ring the bell for her. l don't want her
prompted. l want to know her real
mind"
Mrs. Maple obeyed, subjected by this
rude old man.
''Send Miss Alicia to me, if you please.n
she said to the servant who answered the
call.
Alicia appeared. She started slightly
at sight Of the old man, struck by the
strong family resem blance to Jack trace
able in his rugged features. She had
little need of her mothers instructions to
be sure of him. Mr.. Marsden stuck out
an ungracious hand to her. but she cour-
tested and ignored it.
Got pluckn' muttered the old gentle
man. Il like that Good sign when
girl has pluck. So you're in love with
that scamp Of son of miner" he contin-
ued aloud. Alicia shot glance at him
which should have dumfounded him, but
it didn't. I'm love?' he pursued. "Why,
how old are you-l6?''
II was 10 last birthday" replied Alicia,
covering a strong disposition to tears
with demeanor OF cold dignity, at which
the old gentleman chuckled afresh.
Lord, LordP he said, 'as venerable
as that! What female patriarch you
must feel! So you're in love with Jack,
eh? In love with young ass who
ol1ends an affectionate father and throws
ten thousand year into the gutter to JOIN
pack of strolling mountebanks?"
shakespeare was an actor" answered
Alicia. And so was Moliere-if you've
ever heard of him."
Alicia" cried Mrs. Maple. my dear
child!''
Don't you interfere, ma'am," said Mr.
MaFoHpr1 f1lr hnY- Il