The News-Herald. [volume] (Hillsboro, Highland Co., Ohio) 1886-1973, 1894-11-01

vert1sed It's "hrst night" To kate's
great astonishment her father re-
fused to go. She pressed him why.
81 can't CO." said Stern gravely.
Don't look so grieved, Kate. Let me
tell you why; then perhaps you will
understand me. A long time ago l
wrote play
"You wrote play!' interrupted
Kate breathlessly. "T knew, you
dear, old father, you were clever.
Talbot said you were clever. He said
you had clever face"
Stern smiled sadly at this innocent
tribute. Writing a play, Kate, and
getting IL acted are two very different
things. wrote this play in want, in
misery, and with an ailing wife by my
side. l wrote it in the odd moments
snatched from my work. built high
hopes upon it, my dear; put my whole
heart into it, and fondly dreampt it
would lift from me a burden of debt
and give me b name. signed it with
nom de guerre, and sent it to drama
tist called Fielding Clark. called
upon him afterwards and asked his
opinion of the play. He told me he had
lost it. Then, Kate, lost heart. Pow
erty drove me from pillar to post, and
of the many things grew to hate, the
theater was one"
Kate threw her arms round him and
kissed him. "And to think but for
that ACCIDENT" she cried, 'you might
have been great man! Never
mindr'
NO" said Stern, wearily passing
his hand over his forehead, "never
mind. But what have you got in your
hand?"
"They are the press notices of the
new play. They came with the tickets. :"
well, my dear, I'm just going to
have pipe at the back of the house;
I'll look over them. Perhaps I'll go,
after all. You are entering soon on a
new life, and it's about time should
throw aside my prejudices."
He fondly kissed her, and took down
his pipe When her father was gone,
Kate drew in thought to the window.
To think how narrowly she had
escaped being dramatist's daughterl
While her mind was thus exalted, she
observed gentleman middle age at
tentively scanning the houses. He
was not a prepossessing gentleman.
He was dark, slimly built, and of a
sarcastic aspect. At last he fixed his
gaze on to No. and opened the gate.
With q vague misgiving, Kate ran to
the door.
Pardon me-" said the visitor, bland
ly, "but is this Mr.. Stern's?'.
YES" answered Kate, feeling cold,
"this is Mr.. Stern's"
"And if l judge aright," said the
stranger still more blandly, ''you are
Miss Kate Stern. May l have the
honor of few moments conversation
with you? My name is Barry VII
liers"
Telbot's father! The ominous dad"
In the background With very pale
face, Kate ushered him into the house.
He politely waited for her 70 seat her
self, then sat down.
81 fear" he began, 81 have called
on q rather unpleasant errand. My
visit concerns filtration between you
and my son."
Kate caught her breath. "There
has been no Irritation, Mr.. Villiers.
Your son has told me that he loved
me, and ain not ashamed of return
ing his love-"
Villiers bowed. "A boy and girl at
tachment," he said, airily. ~ heard
of it from my sons lips to-day. OF
course it cannot proceed. 1t is folly;
but then, when were lovers wise9 I
can assure you, Miss Stern, though
fully appreciating your affection for
my son, that you must give up all
thoughts of this marriage" He smiled.
"Give up all thoughts of itv' cried
Kate, with pale lips. SIS that your
sons message?'
"No-of course not. I am here to
reason with you. You are q mere
child; am a man of the world. We
look at things from different stand
points. But marriage is impossible.
Your position"
"You mean" "interrupteS Kate, .'that
you are rich and am poor"
Exactly In all other respects you
are no doubt my sons equal; but this
unfortunate circumstance is sufficient
to restrain me from giving my consent
l cannot see my sons prospects
blighted. am willing to pay any
price"
Kate's eyes blazed. The suave, in
sinuating manner OF Talbot's dad"
reused her. HIS way of putting q
price on the affections brought back
her color. my price," she said, scorn-
fully, ''for what? The love bear
him?"
Villiers coolly changed his tactics.
pardon me; was wrong. l ought
not to have made such suggestion.
But you say you love my son. Well,
his career is in your hands. Win you
blight it? 1t rests with you"
You are putting the whole respon.
sibility of his future on my shoulders" +"
she answered, bitterly SIS that the
act of gentleman? Is it the act of a
father who loves his son?"
Villiers regarded her more attentive
ly. His suavity diminished. "You are
more clever" he said, coldly, "than
thought. will say no more. II you
take my friendly visit in this spirit,
nan do nothipn P,,t vo,, NAV taEa n