The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1896-10-09

cast his eyes upon. He had planned
to be introduced and had brought II
about. The father was bluff ana
brusque. as most Englishmen are. ana
after three or four accidental meet
ings he was also suspicious. The girl
Ninette was naive, ingenious. open
hearted There We're signs that she
even liked the lieutenant. Father and
daughter We're going east on the train
which was bearing him back to the
fort among the foothills. He had
planned 1t SO, and SO 1t was.
Sit down. Mr.. Haskell-sit down."
said the Englishman as the officer en-
tered the special car in which the for
eieners were travelling. Il sent for you
to have a little chat. You are an officer
In the army?"
The lieutenant bowed.
Il am travelling over the country for
pleasure-traveling with my daughter.
] am not looking to invest any money
in the United States, and my daughter
will marry in England, II at all. hope
l make it plain to you!"
"You-you wish to warn me against
falling in love with your daughter!"
replied the officer.
Exactly, my boy-eXactly. Gads,
sir, but / like to meet q man who can
see through hole in a wall. Handsome
girl-nice girl-but it ends right there
for you. She Is as good as engaged to
capital good fellow at home. I'm talk
ing to you straight. Hope you haven't
been hit too hard, for rather like you
as an officer and a man. Do you under
stand?"
Have you seen any evidence that I
love your daughter" asked the lieu
tenant as he sat up very stiffly.
Plenty Of them. my boy!" laughed
the father. you have displayed good
sense, however,. Indeed, you have act
ed the part of gentleman. and that is
why I've sent for you. Yes, you have
been smitten, and ! don't mind telling
you that Ninette has been more or less
hit but guess no further. She is my
only child. Her pin money for q month
equals your salary for year, and !
don't want an American for sOn-in-
law. Nothing special against 'em. you
know. but just won't have it. Am
plain?"
Very plain, sir"
That's the best way in these things.
II you were one of the millionaires of
New York, instead Of poor army Off
Ger, wouldn't have it. What can't be
won't be- Be philosopher, my boy.
Have glass of wine?"
"Thanks-no."
Feel little sore, but don't blame
you. You'll get over 1t in q week and
thank me for my bluntness. You want
10 say good-by to Ninette, of courst,
and I've no objections, only-only-"
You have done me the honor to call
me gentleman" finished Haskell.
Certainly-certainly, and I'll trust
you. Be glad to have you come in be-
fore you get off. Nothing against you
as an officer and a man, you know!
It's just that the girl is as good as en-
gagged to a capital good fellow, you
know, and I don't want an American
for a son-in-law. Going? Well, don't
mean to hurt your feelings. My way is
the plain way, and 1t saves any mis-
takes. Shall always remember you as
an officer and gentleman.
Lieutenant Haskell left the car feel
ing mad, hurt and chagrined. He had
still another feeling-love for the
daughter whose father had SO bluntly
given him the right-about-face. An
hour before he had not quite known his
own heart. Now he was sure that he
loved, and the fathers admission that
he was not totally Indifferent to her
gave him new hopes. When a man has
been turned down" in a matter Of this
kind, however, his pride is called to the
front, and as the officer resumed his
seat in his own car his mood was not a
pleasant one. There was ample food
for reflection as the hours passed, and
1t was In a mechanical sort Of a way
that he rose UP and left the car as even-
ing came and the train halted for q few
minutes Mt station where refresh
ments could be procured. He had just
begun to sip his coffee when shouts, Of
alarm from the platform drew him
away, and he rushed out to find a train
crew, the station loungers and half q
hundred passengers tumbling over each
other.
There they go-they've got away
you'll hit the girl II you shoot"
Five minutes before the train came in
four rough-looking men had ridden up
on horseback, and while one held the
horses at the end Of the long platform
the others had strolled about as II ex-
pecting some one on the train. II they
were noticed before the train arrived
no one gave them any attention amidst
the hustle. John Livingstone and
daughter were bOuntifully provided for
In the way of eatables, but 1t was an op-
portunity to stretch their legs, and they
took advantage Of 1t. Arm in arm they
walked down to the end Of the platform.
followed by the three men. and as they
turned something happened. A blow
under the ear sent the father down in q
heap, and q man seized the daughter
e.nd swung her into = saddle, and was