Freeland tribune. (Freeland, Pa.) 1888-1921, 1895-05-06

settled. But, harkye, sir. Business
is business. am plain, blunt man
and fifteen years sojourn with ones
regiment on the plains doesn't help to
polish one. First of all, what are
your prospects?"
And the Captain drew notebook
out OF his pocket and proceeded to ex-
anime our hero as if he was in court
of justice.
"You are an only SOD, I believer"
'I am"
"Goodp And down went the note
in the pocketbook.
"Your age?"
"Twenty-eight next birthday"
"Twenty-eight! Good. Is you,
constitution healthy?"
81 believe SO. l have had the
measles, whooping cough and mumps -
Disorders peculiar to infancy.
Good" And the Captain scribbled
away again.
"Are you engaged in any business
or profession?"
"None."
"Then how on earth do you live?"
"On my private income, Captain. "
s'Then all can say is you're an un-
commonly lucky fellow to be able to
subsist on that. only wish could.
What is your income?"
"About four thousand q year"
els it in house property, shares in
limited companies or in govern
ments? If in public companies,
should be sorry to give two years
purchase for the lot"
SIN the new four per cents"
"Good I think l may say very
good. What sort of temper are you?"
"Well, that's rather difficult ques-
tion to answer" said Willoughby,
smiling for the first time.
'Hang it, sir, not at all % returned
the Captain. eff anyone asked me for
myitemper, 1 should say, 'Hasty, sir /;
confoundedly hasty!' And Checker
Blacks proud of it, sir; proud of it,"
"Say about the average" answered
Willoughby, timidly.
"Temper average" said the Cap
tain, iotting it down. 81 think these
are about all the questions 1 have to
ask you. You know my daughter by
sight?"
81 have had tho pleasure of seeing
her REORGANIZATION the window,
Sir.
"And you think you could be happy
with her?"
"Think, Captain! am certain of
it,"
every good. Now, harkye, Mr..
Willoughby Vane. Marry her, treat
her well, and be happy. Neglect her,
blight her young affections by hard
ship or cruelty, and, hang me, sir, if
l don't riddle you with bullets I'm
man of my word, and I'll do what
say, as sure us my names Choker
Black !"
81 have no fear on that score, Cap
tain. Unite her to me, and if life
of devotion -"
81 know all about that" said the
Captain. "Keep your fine phrases
for the girls ears. Give me your
hand, sir. I've taken fancy to
you"
"You tlatter me, Captain ~
"Hang it, sir, no! Choker Blacl,
never indulges in fattery. Don't be
afraid to grasp my hand, sir; it is
yours as long rs find you plain sail
ing and straightforward. But if ever
1 suspect you of any artifice or decep-
tion, I'll knock you down with it.
So now, I hope we perfectly under
stand each other"
"One word more, said Wllloughby.
cam I to understand that you consent
to our union?"
Certainly. You can be married
tomorrow if you please. Sir, the
happiness of my dear child is my first
consideration. am not brute-not
one OF those unnatural parents people
read of in novels. Choker Black may
be fire eater on the field, but, at any
rate, he knows how to treat his own
flesh and blood"
"Captain, you overwhelm me with
gratitude.
"Say no more about it. Clap on
your hat and come across the street
with me, and I'll introduce you to my
daughter at once"
Scarcely knowing what he was about,
Willoughby did as he was told. They
crossed the street together, and the
Captain opened his door with latch
key.
"One moment, if you please" said
Willoughby, who was titivating his
hair and arranging his cravat.
"Are you ready now?" asked the
Captain.
"Quite!"
'Mr. Willoughby Vane !" cried the
Captain, ushering our hero into the
drawing room. Then, waving his
hand he added, "allow me to intro
duce you to my wife and daughter. -
Willoughby looked exceedingly
foolish as he bowed to the two ladies'.
On a couch by the fireside sat his en-
chantress looking more bewitchingly
radiant than ever, his vis-a-vis being
the tall, thin, angular woman in black
that he had frequently noticed from
over the way.
''What O contrast" thought Will.