Custer weekly chronicle. [volume] (Custer City, S.D.) 1890-1931, 1893-01-28
EECHRED.

Roderick Sweetwilliam uttered the
words In the rich. opulent, Oswego bass
voice which fitted his throat so well.
Yet, withal. there is faint tremor in
that voice "a tremor such as uuivers
upon the air for several minutes after
the dinner-gong in fourth-rate hotel
has received the finai stroke. Roderick
had practiced that tremor many days
for this occasion, and had got it down
to fine, delicate point.
Going away, so soon?" sighed rather
than spoke Gladiola Clingstone.
Then for a long time neither spoke
and as everything else was also still,
silence rcigned.
The descending sun of late August
day shot whitening glances through the
oytr-hanging branches TO where the
two sat deeply immersed in such
thoughts as they happened TO have
handy. From afar, borne on a breeze
so gentle that Gladiola's sigh would
have been hurricane in comparison,
came the fervid exclamation Of some
honest, callous-palmed farmer addressed
TO the nigh horse which showed dispo-
sition To lag. A small, thin-voiced
mosquito winged its flight on gauzy
wings from the neighboring swamp
and alighted on the end of Gladiola's
nose, whence the insect rose again with
tiny shrek of fiendish JOY as il nimbly
dodgcd terrific right-handed blow
aimed by Gladiola, which now spent it.
self upon the nose and circumambient
air in about equal parts.
Yes, | can stay no longer: must re-
turn to my duties in the city. / 20
away tomorrow" reiterated Roderick
after many minutes.
Both were playing waiting game.
From much perusal of the ephemeral
literature of the present time each had
learned that when young man states
To young woman in whose company
he has spent large portion of his sum
mer vacation. that he Is going away
again, and does il with the trcmulo
stop pulled out TO its full extent, the
young woman may be prepared TO hear
OF something TO her advantage II the
young man is eligible.
Gladiola was waiting for Roderick
to say something additional. Roderick
was waiting to be encouraged To 90 on.
Couldn't YOU stay two or three DAYS
ionger?" asked Gladiola at length. AT
the same time she sighed so violently
that Roderick involuntarily pulled
his hat down more firmly as he
would have done had breeze sudden.
ly sprung, up.
Would YOU be pleased to have mer
ITO have you9 Why, Mr.. Sweet
william, u"
TO have me stay, / mean?"
What did You think thought You
meant?"
Nothing"
"What you say often means nothing,
Mr.. Sweetwilliam," remarked Gladiola.
who was quite an expert at repartee.
You fatter me, Miss Clingstone;
but few of us have the ability to con-
verse freely about nothing. But sup
pose should say something that did
mean something; suppose | should ask
YOU TO be"
There comes papa, Mr.. Sweet
william; ask him, Roderick, I" exclaimed
Gladiola. who, in addition to her many
other accomplishments. had acquired
the art of mind-reading and could tell
beforehand what Roderick wanted to
ask.
with your permission, desire to
make you my father-in-law," calmly
announced Roderick when Gladiola's
father, the owner of vast estates and
oceans of watered stock, approached.
..Ha. ha," laughed Mr.. Clingstone
without changing the position of even
n single facial muscle. "And what are
your prospects in life young man,
Prospects? i daily no longer with
prospects. / live on the proceeds of
the past. Ny uncle was worth Il
million when he died. l am his sole
heir. Sec?"
"Presnmptuous youth! Begone from
my sight How dare you ask me for
the hand of my daughter? You! the
representative of plutocracy. My
daughter shall wed a poor and worthy
young man unencumbered with wealth
and possessed of nothing but his pros
poets. Begone! say"
Thus having spoken, Mr.. Clingstone
turned and went away.
'How long has your unfortunate
father been afflicted with paresis?r
asked Roderick, who had failed 10 be-
gone. when Cllngstone pcre had van
ished from view.
1T isn't that" murmured Gladiola.
Papa wishes to be considered &c.
centric"
HE will succeed; but ii strikes me
that he is OVERRIDING it," responded
Ro;.ii.:.. Ro,;r.ii,.s:.. =. ..n..tt Issa.; have plan. :"
For half an hour thereafter Roderics
poured woods into Gladiola's left ear.
When he had concluded Gladiola said.
Since we shall be as one II shall be
a mere form, and papa cannot kick,
Gladiola had ole fa,ilt. In moments
of deep emotion she sometimes became
addicted 10 the use of slang.
..Ycu here again? Itold You yester-
day to bcgonc,r angriiy exclaimed
Rufus Clingstone when Roderick Sweet
william came into his presence again al
1890 a. m. the following day.
II was gone but returned" replied
Rodcrick respectfully.
We'll what do You waut?r
Your daughters hand. See. here il
q paper conveying to your daughter all
my property. am now poor; i have
nothing but my prospects. Truly. am
worthy to be your son-in-law."
..You have done this? The papers
are all drawn up?'
Drawn up and signed. Here they
are. am not worth = penny now.r
so sce,r replied Mr.. Clingstone.
after hasty perusal Of the papers.
We'll, young man." he continued IN
a sprrowful tone. II deeply regret to
be compelled to inform you that since
yesterday I have changed my opinion
regarding the choice Of . husband Tor
my daughter. think after all that Il
would be better for her to marry rich
man.
/. Then we can destroy these papers.
Mr.. Clingstonc. and shall he eligible
even in the new view YOU take o. The
matter" !"