The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1894-01-09
CHAPTER III.

coming 1S Vlvider IN my memory than are
the doings Of yesterday.
CHAPTER III.
THE INTERvIEw-A GREAT SURPRISE.
So much had to be talked OF, SO many
questions asked and answered that it was
far past bedtime before any reference was
made to the business which had brought
me-
"we have said nothing about the subject
of my letter, Andrew" said my father
looking at me wistfully, because you
must be fatigued, but when breakfast is
over tomorrow we will, by the grace of
heaven, have the matter discussed and set
tied.
Very well, SIR" / answered, ST shall
hold myself ready at your convenience"
Both he and my mother smiled approv-
ingly at this, and having seen me to my
chamber and assured themselves that all
was comfortable they left me-
said was ready, but 1t was with the
readiness Of the criminal who finds pun
ishment inevitable and desires to have It
over as quickly as may be. Though was
weary. could not sleep. My brain throbbed
like furnace and every nerve was a-quiver.
Among other scenes might have argued
myself into the solacing conviction that
N 40 put al thhpCcAb ItuS6 VI .tub ulSAD-
pointment that on the morrow must over
whelm my father and mother, but amid
the old surroundings, with their eloquent
tokens Of affection, the sense of folly and
.disobedience was maddening. At times
could have risen and rushed from the
house; then again felt as IL must 20 to
my father and have the miserable business
ended at once. The more / thought the
more terrible my guilt appeared. Fortu-
nately even remorse has its limits, and at
last dozed.
Iawoke in the morning with queer idea
OF having been travelling in a foreign land
and went to meet my father in haze OF
uncertainty. He was all affection, cir
cumstanoe that added to my embarrass-
ment. A further cause of embarrassment
was that he introduced the business OF my
visit as if already settled except in details.
5-'fou see, Andrew" he said, "the law
has many advantages. It is a money max
ing business and enables man to flght for
his own hand in a way that rogues cannot
well Withstand. AS l limited 70 you In my
letter, these considerations are not indif-
ferent to us at the present time To
speak as between ourselves, there are some
despoiling us who have no moral, nor, as
think, you can show, legal right, to one far
thing of our money. They rob us because
there is none to checkmate them. But have
strong hope that the tables will speedily
be turned, and that the latest heir to Xii
burnie will be able to give these vultures
the right about in fashion that will aston
ish them"
Here my father rose and paced the room
in great exultation. "And, eh, it would
please me more than words can tell to see
these ravenlng sharks of the seed Of Israel
and tho daarandanta Of Apapiac-hv xvbioh
i mean the Jews and lawyers-well tilted
in their own tourney. And, Andrew, you're
the man to do it."
My tongue Glove to the roof of my mouth
at this speech, and knew not where to
look from the eager, disconcerting eyes Of
both my father and my mother.
II am exceedingly sorry, sir, to learn of
the embarrassed state of our affairs"
faltered, with my eyes on the ground.
"Yes, Andrew" put In my father quick
ly, I'VE are embarrassed, fearfully embar-
rassed, but our fortunes may be restored
quicker than we think" And the dear
soul in his confidence came forward, took
my hand and looked In my face in a way
that stabbed me to the marrow.
81 would do all can for the family
credit" said.
1.-THE right sentiment, Andrew, IL rather
haltingly spoken" said my father, with an
encouraging pressure OF the hand. Come,
my boy, give your courage tongue know
1t is in your heart to help usage, and
in your head too. You will be as cunning
lawyer as the best of them. You WILL
know you will. This is only the blateness
OF boy"
"Therc Is no sacrifice in the world that
wouldn't make, SIR" responded, butt
and there stuck with my tongue paralyzed.
My father stared at me for a second or SO,
then ha dropped my hand, and his brow
concentrated. The crisis had come; the
evil had feared was upon me.
"That word sounds strange in my ears,
Andrew" he said, with strain of harsh
ness In his voice. when l proposed tho
law, did not anticipate any talk about sac
rifces."
"Oh, sir" blurted out, with frantic de-
sire to pfeclpitate matters, II wish could
tell you in word what 1 have to say.
cannot do as you wish" l would have
gone on, but the look he gave me brought
me to sudden and dead halt.
"You cannot do as wish" he cried in
tones Of mingled anger and surprise IN
deed, indeed, indeed You cannot do as
wishi That is very pretty, very dutiful.
You cannot do as / wishl' And he kept
On repeating the words, giving them false
meaning, which Twas powerless to set right
but maybe l do you wrong" he said
abruptly. mo doubt you have "a first rate
proposal OF your own to make"
faltered that hadn't and held my
breath for the effect. 1t was electric. With
an energy l had never seen in him before
my father sprang to his feet and began to
stride about the room, or rather to stamp,
his face like thundereloud, his breathing
a series Of angry snorts. As | stood quak-
Ing In every fiber, my mother gave me a
look which seemed to say; my dear, un.
fortunate boy, what does all this meani
Have you taken leave of your sensesi"
Il can scarcely believe my ears" cried
my father when he had got over the first
spasm of rage. II doubt my very senses.
A son of mine telling me, in the very crisis
of fortune, he cannot do as | wish-cannot
do as l wishl Did cars of man ever hear
the like of thatf 1 cannot do as you WISH,
says the beardless Solomon to the foolish
gray head. That's good. The worlds i'm
proving. Cannot do as l wish This is
what colleges and professors do. Go out,
sir. and get me a hazel rung till teach
you obedience By my faith, Wallace Kill
gour will hear po such language US that in