The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1893-06-08

literature than the dollar" said Hope whe1
her father had gone. "Oh, we'll make tn,
name of Richard Pomeroy Trent famous
yet, and then -
Hope" interrupted Dick, almost shortly
| am going to New York next week to re
MAN, Somehow, since the moment, but 9
little while ago, when he had first caught
sight of her coming up the shady pathway
what he had to say had gained a new mean.
ing. 1t no longer seemed the same simple
matter-of-fact announcement He hurried
on now as if somehow he felt himself on
the defensive and must needs exculpate
himself There are glorious chances in
the Metropolis, you know. Bingham urges
me in the strongest terms e come, and as.
sures me that may feel certain of an in.
creased income from the very start, and
and-well -
ooh, Dick!" There was a little catch
almost a gasp, in the girls voice as she in.
terrupted his defense. IL -
She stopped in an uncertain way. She
did not know yet. And.then-how quickly
the girl becomes the woman! But she only
said, gently:
''And then You must give up all our
your plans for-for becoming famous? We
-you-perhaps it is better so. p
Dick Trent's eyes were turned away, and
he did not look around. think that just
then Dick Trent had his hands on Richard
Pomeroy Trent2s throat, for he spoke on
hurriedly and with ayerted eyes:
"Yes, it is better, Hope. l have been
very happy-happy here AT this
point Richard Pomeroy struggled, but Dicl,
held him back But after ALL as Bingham
says, there is nothing to keep me in this
out-of-the-world place"
A cruel thing to say, but, after all, Richard
Pomeroy was to blame for it. Dick felt
that Richard must be kept down. And
then, had they been characters in bit OF
geometrically correct fiction, Hope would
have told him to CO. since there was nothing
TO keep him, whereat Dick would have
skunk out like flogged cur, leaving Hope
to artistically collapse after he had passed
beyond recall. But she was only little
woman il everyday life. and so she gasped
Nothing? Oh, Dick!"
Dick Trent looked up quickly at the pitt
full reproach in the sweet voice. The soft
eyes were wet with tears, and the little
brown hands were pressed conyulsively over
the heaving bosom. And at that look Rich
ard Pomeroy Trent threw off Dick Trent's
strangling clutch and took the sob-shaken
form in his arms.
1t was only an hour later that he wrote
to Bingham while Hope beamed approving
lv on. He felt strong to decline now, with
those loving eyes smiling approval, and Col.
Cranston's words still ringing in his ears:
g am glad, very glad, sub, to say God
bless you both, my son and daughtuh!
Thuh is something bettuh than dOlluhs,
Dick, and-and-well, sub, we are proud of
you now, Hope and huh old fathuh, and we
know you'll make us prouduh yet, some
day"
In due time came Bingham's reply. Mr..
Bingham felt as if ne had cast his pearls
before swine, and he inclined toward cyni-
cism. He washed his hands grandiloquently
of Dick, and alleged that Mr.. Lawrence
Joined him in that interesting operation. He
quoted certain trite aphorisms about fools
and the blind, and the makers of hard beds,
and so on, and cited Dick to the sad case of
the late Samson, who was shorn of his might
by the seduction of woman and home
made haircut. At ali of which Richard
Pomeroy, in his new-found happiness, smiled
indulgently, and seizing his pen replied in
this substance, but to much greater length ::
Don't call me fool, old fellow, for
choosing the best things in life. Dollars
aren't everything Bing, when you and
Lawrence have worn yourselves out Shaving
in the city, come down and rest under the
magnolias and see whether | have lost or
gained by my decision. The little woman
heartily seconds the invitation"