People's voice. [volume] (Wellington, Sumner County, Kansas) 1890-1917, 1894-08-10
THE MERCHANTS CRIME.
CHAPTER XY-CoNrINrEn.
BY HORATIO ALGER, JR.

vOusly.
Really, you surprise me-" said
Mr.. MantOn. "YOu wish to marry
Clara?"
81 should consider myself the most
fortunate of men if | could win her
as my wife," said Cromwell, who
talked more freely than usual under
the influence of the tender passion.
at is an important matter" said
Mr.. Manton, slowly, giving away
the hand of an only daughter in mar
riage."
81 will do my utmost TO make her
happy" said the enamored lover.
81 have no doubt OF it. 70 be sure
have not known you long; but |
have formed quite favorable opin-
ION OF you from our brief acquaint,
ance."
This was hardly true, for Mr.. Man
ton had designated James Cromwell
as an awkward BOBBY in familiar
conversation with his daughter, and
she had assented to the justice of
the epithetr
THANK you, sir" said Cromwell;
may | then hope Tor your consent to
my suit?"
why, you see, Mr.. Cromwell
said Mr.. MantOn, throwing one leg
over the other, there are several
things to be taken into considera-
ton besides the personal character
OF the husband. For instance
hope you won't think me mercenary
but want to make sure that you
are able to support her IN comfort,
so that she need not be compelled to
endure any of the privatlons of pow
erty."
Il have good business" said
Cromwell, (which is sure to bring
me in a good income"
''Do you own your shop and stock
up clear of incumbrance? Is it all
paid for?
''Yes, sir"
THAT is well-for a beginning.
Now what property have you be-
sides?"
why" said Cromwell, Il make
about $500 clear from my ward,
Robert Raymond.
Indeed! That is handsome. Still,
he is likely to be taken from you"
a don't think he will"
still, it is not a certainty. 1t is
not equal to property producing this
amount of annual income
mo, sir, but"
"Hear me out. There is nothing
so substantial as property invested
we'll A good income is good
thing, but if it comes from anything
else it is not sure. Now | will tell
you what my intentions have been
when anyone applied to me for my
daughters hand, though | did not
expect the occasion would come so
soon. | meant to say, that is, pro-
vided the party was otherwise suit
able, Are you ready to settle S., 900
on my daughter on her wedding day,
and will you still have an equal sum
left" That is the question | meant
to ask, and will ask it now of you.n
he leaned back in his rocking
chair as he spoke, and fixed a glance
OF inquiry on James Cromwell. He
hoped that the young man would be
able to answer in the affirmative, for
If Clara could be well married, he
would have his income entirely to
himself and he had made up his
mind In that case to 60 to Europe on
a pleasure trip, This he could
do without breaking in upon his
principal II he went alone; but as
long as Clara remained unmarried.
he knew that he should be expected
to take her with aim, and this would
involve more expense than he was
willing to incur.
James Cromwell was taken aback
by this unexpected difficulty.
Il am afraid my means are not
sufficient to admit of my doing this,
just yet, " said Cromwell, reluctantly;
but just as soon as am able | will
agree to make the settlement you
propose"
Mr.. Manton shook his head.
81 am sorry" he said, and here he
only told the truth, that you are
not in a position to comply With nv
conditions, for they are indispensa-
bic. You must not think me mer-
cenary, but don't believe in love in
a cottage! As for Clara, she is a
dear. unselfsh girl, and she would
think me mercenary. She never
thinks of money, q wish she didn't,
he mentally added and would as
soon marry poor man as a rich
man. But | want to guard her
against the chances of fortune. So
desire that five thousand dollars
should be settled upon herself. so
that if her husband should fail in
business, and you know such things
happen very often, she will have a
fund to fall back upon. l am sure
you will think | am reasonable in
this"
my businAss is . very safe one,