The Columbia herald. [volume] (Columbia, Tenn.) 18??-1935, 1892-06-14

eel lCiSh IN TrIGT7'U Miss BtTclHOTe."
saw nothing more of Kate that day,
but | came across Slurk several times,
and there was peculiar look on the fell
lows cOuntenance which made me re-
new nv longing to chastise him. was
anxious to know whether Mr. Birch
more had returned; but as | could not
bring myself to make any inquiries of
this valet and did not care to let him see
me asking any one else, was obliged
to remain III ignorance. However, as
sat out under the trees at dusk tall
figure with lighted cigar in his mouth
appeared in the doorway of the hotel,
and on my saluting him he sauntered up
to my table and complied with my lnvl-
tatiOn to sit down.
The waiter brought us coffee, and I'M
der its stimulus | ventured to introduce
the subject which lay nearest to my
heart to Mr. Birchmores notice. No
doubt | put my best foot foremost, and
spoke as eloquently as was consistent
with my downright earnestness and SIN
cerity Mr.. Birchmore heard me almost
| in silence, only giving evidence by an
! occasional word or interjectlon that he
was giving me his attention. Once or
twice, too I was aware of his having
! given me one of those sharp, icy glances
| for which he was remarkable. When !
| had spoken he fingered the pointed beard
on his chin meditatively and pulled his
cigar.
This is a very fair and honorable
! offer that Won make, GainsbOrough,' he
said at length. Il liked you before; /
like you better now. You take it for
granted, suppose, that am pretty well
| off. There, you needn't say anything
| have no doubt of your disinterested-
ness; but these matters would have to be
mentioned. sooner or later, If the affair
went on | say if because may as
we'll tell you at once, 1t will save US all
pain-because it can't go on; it must
stop right here; and | only regret, for
! both your sakes, that 1t has gone so tar.
Mr. Birchmore, | cannot take this
for an answer. You have given me no
reasons. If You want confirmation of
my account of myself, l cam
81 want nothing of the sOrt-on the
contrary, feel compIimented that you
should accept us. not only without con
firmation, but without question. But
YOU can't marry my daughter, Gains
borough, much as | like you, and much
as | dare say she does, When you are
older YOU will understand that men can
not always follow that course in the
world which appears to them most de-
sirable."
However young or old | may be. Mr.
Birchmore, am old enough to know my
own mind and to require good reasons
for changing it. If you have any such
reasons, | wish you'd show your liking
for me by telling me what they are.
DO YOU remember a talk we once had
in Paris, when you limited that should
accompany you on your jaunt? 1 told
Won then that the past life of IA man
sometimes had hold over his present,
constraining his freedom whether he
would or not And can't you imagine
that those circumstances, however CO.
gent they may be, or very likely, Just
because they are so cogent, might be
very announcement to talk about To
sneak plainly, Gainsborough, don't see
how your loving my daughter obhges
me to tell you all the secrets of my life.
al don't want to know your secrets,
. sir; wish to marry Miss Birchmore."
Mr.. Birchmore laughed.
"Wel, you're a pretty determined
, wooer," said he. 81 can't give my con-
, sent to the match because-well, be-
cause | cannot; but, if you won't take
no for an answer, nor profit by the warn
ing hereby give you, I'll tell you what
| will do: will allow you yourself to
discover and acknowledge the causes
which make your marriage with Kate
> impossible You must not blame me II
: the discovery gives you pain and the
acknowledgment causes you mortlhca'
ton have given you fair warning
. And will only add, sir, that the pain
and modification won't be all on YOU
side could not give you stronger
hedge of my friendship and liking fol
> you than in thus letting you find out
what has hitherto been hidden from al
l. the world. And | only demand one
, condition-that You promise. when yor
have made your discovery and left us
never to mention to any human being
what our secret was.
Il give that promise with pleasure
As to my leaving you of my own fret
will, that is-begging your pardon-lm
possible and absurd"
He laughed again and shot another o
his startling looks at me.
Every well, young sir, have nothing
II more to say Come with US to the farm
house tomorrow; there's plenty of room
there. and they are used to being accom-
, modating. Stay with US until your
e satisfied, and then-dOn't forget you
u promise"
l. He rose as he finished speaking ant