Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1896-02-06

CXSGlo an1 comment at
the intelligence so
abruptly communicated to him for a
few minutes, and then he said:
This is very sudden, Hamilton
Sudden, do you call it. uncle! You
forget it is six weeks since you lett US
here, with one another for company.
How could I have any choice but 10
fall in love with her, unless, indeed,
I had taken UP with old Garrett, and
that would scarcely have pleased you
better?"
81 did not say was displeased, HAM
ilton.'
ooh, sir. I hope you are not, inter-
posed Margaret.
But I must take time to consider
your request, and tins is not the mo-
ment for discussing it. [ have Just
come off a long and fatigning journey,
and you ought to be at your lessons.
The disappointed man of the world
could not resist the temptation OF CIV
ing his boy-rival that unworthy little
cut. But Hamilton received it with
his usual equanimity
MY studies, you mean, uncle. All
right, we won't say anything more
about it till the evening. then, when
you will be rested, ana | shall be at
leisure Goodbye till dinner-time.
Ia, ia, Pearl"
And he ran away as hastily as he had
entered.
RuthVen prepared 10 quit the room.
Margaret approached him tinidly.
You are not angry, Mr.. RuthVen!
''Of course not my dear. What have
I to be angry about? Only this pro-
posal CT Hamilton's is far too serious
a matter to be settled in a moment. L
do not wish to disappoint either OF you,
but l really do not see my way to &C
cede to his wish at present.
Margaret began to cry.
Would it be SO great trouble to
you TO give up the idea of marrying
my nephew" he inquired, seeing the
tears upon her cheek.
~Oh, yes, Mr.. Ruthven! We love
each other so very, very much. And
Hamilton says he will never marry any
one but me. And l would die rather
than marry any one but him..
Ruthven recognized the childishness
of the expression, but set higher value
by the reasoning than it deserved.
He sighed deeply, and turned away.
Il promise you one thing, Margaret.
I will do what appears to me to be
the best and wisest thing for both you
and Hamilton, and IL your attachment
is sincere, I will put no obstacle in the
way of your future union. I can say
no more than that"
1t was a great deal for him to say
so much II the girl had fully read
the sacrifice his great heart made in
saving it, she would nave knelt down
and worshiped him as something more
than man. But she had no idea of the
pain she had inflicted
Meanwhile, Ruthven found his way
up to his own room. and summoned
Mrs. Garrett to a conference.
How much have you known of this
confounded piece of folly between
Hamilton and Margaret C'Reilly?" he
demanded of her.
ssLor' bless you, sir. don't call it b.
such a name. Of course l saw the
young creatures were taking to each
other from the beginning. I'm not
blind. But l never imagined you
take on about it. 1t seems the natural
est thing in the world to me-
1T may be natural enough; but 1t
is highly inexpedient. Hamilton's age
renders it absurd, in the first place:
but were he Internationally instead
of nineteen he has no money to marry
on
.sThey don't think of being married
yet awhile, sir, surely, the young
rogues.''
They want to be engaged which
means the same thing. And then
though Margaret is everything Ne
could wish now, we mustn't forget
what she was"
.I4or'. sir. You wouldn't go to east
that at the poor child would You
Ruthven WINGED. He felt his word:
TO have been very unfair. How could
he honorably say such thing. whsr