The Red Cloud chief., 1896-06-05

'' 90 '''
qunintcd as We are after ,hrcc weeks in
this unconventional atmosphere"
He took her hand with 4 strong pro-
tccting grasp. II shall not ask for I
definite answer now. Lct me come to
see Won at your home in the city. Let
me have II talk with your father.
Where ran | 500 him"
\ smile dtmplcd her ch,chs rs slc
said. II viii write and inform YOU as
soon as | return to the city. Father
is away just low. hut when he comes
back I will ask him to communicate
with you"
The children came romping and
laughing down the pathway. urging
Miss Gordon to come in and sing for
them, 80 walter Ainsworth was forced
10 be content with u formal lcare-tak-
ing in the presence Of the family.
Two weeks had passed since his re-
turn to the city. and Walter Ainsworth
was becoming somewhat impatient at
the enforced separation. when m
morning the mail brought him a dainti-
~ pcnncd missivc from Alice Gordon,
stating that she was at home and
would be glad to see him In the even
ing. AS he laid down the letter. after
half a dozen readings. he mechanically
opened another. which he noticed bore
IN" printed heading of one of the
largest business firms in the city. It
was from AliCe's father and contained
n brief but cordial invitation to call
NJ ms Office at an appointed hour In the
afternoon. II was signed with the
name or Silas Gordon. aud as he
glanced at the bold signature walter
AihsWorth sprung from his chair In as
constituent. II was the name of the
head OF the firm. u millionaire. and one
OF the most influential men in the city.
"lmpossible!' said he. and hastily
turned to the city directory to see II
there could be two persons by that
name. The name of Silas Gordon oc-
Cured but once. and the house adj
dress correspondent with that given by
his daughter in her little note.
Walter Ainsworth paced rapidly back
ana forth across the room. AZ he re-
viewed his acquaintance with Alice.
her simple dress, her natural, unaiIect-
ed manner, and, above all. her state
ment that she was Il kindergarten
teacher, had given him the impression
that her family were I'm only ordinary
circumstances. Suddenly he recalled
the fact that a number of wealthy girl,
In the city had Instituted the tree
| Ein.lnrnurfnn SNutn,, n,,l Goa. 10,
even donated their services as teach.
ers. What an idiot | have BEEN h,
calculated. What must they think o
me" and the painful thought croSset
his mind that perhaps Mr.. Gordon's re
quest to call at his Office yelled an in
t@ention to give dismissal to the auda
cious lover.
Summoning all his resolution. how
ever, at the appointed hour he cntere,
the offices of Mr.. Gordon and sent II
his name. lie was Immediately ushcre,
into a handsomely furnished priyat
room and "A dignitied, gray-haired gen
tlcman rose to meet him. Withou
waiting for Mr.. Gordon to introduce
the subject, he began TO speak of hi
acquaintance with Miss Gordon. 4"
could not help but love her" he said
but ! would never have addressed ne.
had | known that she was your daugh
ter He then spoke of his own pros
poets and said in conclusion: Il trus
you will understand that | now realiz,
the difference between her situation
and my own and while ! shall neycj
forget her kindness ] will Withdraw TN,
words | have spoken to her"
The elder man heard him through II
silence and then turned to him with
a kindly smile. what you have said
Mr.. Ainsworth. only confirms the re
port | have received from my daughtc.
and increases my respect for YOU.
was a poor young man myself som,
years ago and ii has always beer m,
desire that my daughters should b,
chosen for themselves and not for thci,
wealth or worldly advantages. NJ,
wife and | have been spending the sum
mer in Germany with my eldest daugh,
ter, who married a German count" liz
paused "A moment and his countenanc,
''''' ''il'''' III . - hiDDN tHOlleu
but | would much prefer that she hal
an American husband"
As il to terminate the interview. he
rose to his feet. Suppose you com,
up to our home this evening? Perhaps
Alice can settle this question"
As Waller Alnsworth approached q
handsome stone house, situated on an
aristOcratic avenue. he saw an elegant
carriage drive up and Alice herself
aligst and walk rapidly UP the steps.
Could this stately young woman,
dressed in n handsome costume of silk
and velvet, be his girlish companion OF
the summer? His heart sunk within
him.
He was shown into an exquisite little
rcceptlon-room, richly furnished in
white and gold. Five, ten. fifteen min
itcs passed and still Miss Gordon did
not appear. Suddenly he heard a faint
rustic and turned quickly toward the
! I,A,.ra,, ~, .,,.. . ..- $40 ,t - a 49, -