The herald., 1893-08-20


that anything should occur to upset him
on the very morning when we arranged
that you should submit to him SO mo-
mentous question as to his consent to
my becoming your wife,"
Nothing could be worse" said Ar
thur, his handsome face paling slightly.
"But still we will hope that business
matters will not affect his feelings toward
you or his willingness to enhance our
happiness. Besides, my darling Eva,
his anger will doubtless have evaporated
on his return"
II pray it may" replied Eva, smiling
up In the face of her lover, "for should
be SO unhappy if he dashed our hopes to
the ground"
How happy, my darling, You make
me feel to hear you say so, since 1t
proves, If proof I needed. how dearly
you love me-"
ibid you ever doubt it, Arthur she
said Us she wound her arms around his
neck and fixed her blue eyes upon his
own gray ones.
"Forbid it, heaven, never for an in
stantl" he cried as he drew her to his
breast and kissed her cheeks and lips
II have loved you long, loved you dear
ly, and come what may shall love you
to the last"
Her head sank upon his breast, and as
the eyoung man pressed his lips and cheeks
upon that wealth Of golden hair the fig
ure of John Grubber, the contractor,
strode 10 the long open window and
stood between it's panels, gazing with
thunderstruck amazement upon the
young couple SO fondly folded within
each others arms
1t took him some moments to COM
mand himself sufficiently to speak, and
when he did so his voice was tremulous
and husky with passion.
"What in the name of fury" he cried,
"does this mean?"
And as he spoke he strobe into the CEN
ter Of the apartment.
Startled by the tones the lovers started
from out of each others embrace, and
with her face and neck crimsoning to the
hue Of 0 peony Eva gave utterance to q
gasping cry, and covering her face with
her trembling hands hurried from the
room.
"What," almost shouted the irate con-
tractor, ''is the meaning Of this scene
upon which have come so unexpected
ly and have no doubt so unwelcomely?
Since my ward has fed in shame from
my presence perhaps you, Mr.. Arthur
Linton, will inform me of the reason of
your presence here and the strange posi-
tions In which have surprised youY
"Mr. Grubber," said the young man
calmly, when entered this apartment
a short time since came to see you. but
found instead one have long loved, and
one whose own lips have assured me
moro than once that my passion is recip-
rocated, that my love is returned"
'Indeed," sneered Grubber.
"Yes, sir" returned the other, paying
no heed to the sneers. "And I came
here this morning with the full permis-
sion Of your charming niece to inform
you that we have long loved each other
and to ask your consent to permit me to
make her my wife, happiness that we
have long looked forward to, and which
l am sure will never, either upon her
part or mine, be dimmed by sorrow or
regret"
'In plain words, you came to ask my
consent to your espousal of my ward and
niece" said Mr.. Grubber.
II did," was the reply.
"And pray, what have you to urge as
an inducement to me to grant your re-
questY asked Mr.. Grubber
''That myself and Miss Eva have long
loved each other; thpf my position in So
cisty isrespectable; that my income from
high class business, though small at
present. will increase with time and per-
severance, and thatlnp mpp could make
her a more tender and devoted husband
than myself" IL. .. ys lsyl,s5t
"That you are honorable, respectable
and rising member Of a; noble profess
sion l am willing to admit, but that is
not all shall require, Mr.. Linton, to in
duce me to give my consent to my
niece's marriage with you or any other.
My ward has 100000 in her own right,
and with such o dowry no man shall
marry her who does not possess 10 times
as much when he leads her to the altar.
When you can show me that your in
come can be counted by as many thou
sands per annum as it is now counted
by hundreds. | may feel disposed to
listen to your prayers, but till then, Mr..
Arthur Linton, my ears are deaf alike to
your pleadings and hers. No words.
will not listen to them. Our interview
is ended. Good morning"
Sir" said Arthur, II learned from
your niece that business had somewhat
upset you this morning. and as l cannot
but feel that some annoyance under
which you at present suffer may have
much to do with your present answer to
my suit will not accept it as final, but
urge my prayer again when you are calm
and will be more willing to study the
happiness of your niece and one who so
truly loves her."
Two days after Mr.. Grubber sat alone
in the breakfast room, when a servant
entered with visiting card upon sal
yer, which she presented to her master
saying:
"The gentleman desires to see you, sir.
upon most important and urgent bust
uess."
II am not acquainted with the gentle
mans name." said Grubber, looking at
l. l.