The times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1882-1897, 1896-12-11
THE FITTEST SURVIVES
By J. Il. CONNOLLY.


copyright. 1906 by the Author.l
CHAPTER v.
The more Chester Sewall pondered the
more uneasy he became over Mr.. Will
martins manifest confidence in the i'm
pregnability Of his position. The young
man had naturally expected that upon
the discovery Of his aspirations the
bankers house would be closed to him
and measures adopted to prevent his
communicating with Irma- And he had
gone to the trouble of thinking out vari-
GUS ingenious schemes for circumvent.
ing the paternal vigilance, devices so 70.
mantle that he was impatient to put
them into realization. But the starting
point Of each was that he should be de-
MED access to the house. And he could
not get himself denied. He was even
welcomed The cruel father, meeting
him there, greeted him with a friendly
courtesy that quite took his breath away.
Instead Of being angry at seeing him in
conversation with Irma, the old gentle.
man seemed amused.
Sand yet he nows-he must know"
said Chester to himself, "that propose
to carry his daughter off and marry her
despite his opposition. Can it be posi-
BILE he has any assurance that size will
: not let herself be carried off?''
There was nothing in her manner to
him that. savored of disloyalty. On the
contrary, she was as witchir ,;ly tender
as he could have hoped to fiji, / her, and
when girl like Hma Wil-lnarth con-
descends to demonstrate tenderness she
does so with no ordinary degree Of ef-
fectiveness Hers was tall, magnificent
figure. voluptuous in it's outlines. statu.
esque IN repose, regal IN action. A
habitual expression Of cold hauteur rest
ed upon her superbly lovely features,
but she had the natural art to Danish
it at will, assuming in its stead mask
of charming smiles or exquisite sensi-
bility as the occasion might seem to de-
mand. 'Her royal highness' was the
title bestowed upon her by her class
mates at Vassar, and it seemed fitting.
one had wAywaru humors,' put noe I'M.
pulses, and inherited from her father
as well as his dark complexion-suff1-
cient of his cool self control and power
Of Judging things from the standpoint
of personal interest to keep those hu-
mo1s well under subsection. That was
what he-knowing her better than any
oneelse could-relied upon to guide her
as he would have her go in the af-
fail with Mr.. Sewall. No such fool was
he as to oppose her whim Of senti-
meht, which he was very sure involved
mysterious dangers. He had mentioned
to her the extent of her lovers capital,
ami did not fear her forgetting it. In
thu old mans eyes the love affair Of the
yofng folks was simply funny little
DRAMATIC episode.
frma sat at the piano and Chester
st{od by her side. They had just finished
q huet that they learned to sing togeth-
edat her Boston Cousins house in the
fft flush Of their mutual passion, and
tie sweet memories it evoked thrilled
tleir hearts. He looked down upon her
With eyes that saw no horizon beyond
hbr beauty and met in her gaze an in.
ekable tenderness which filled his soul
with bliss. Heart spoke to heart, and
the lips Of both were silent. Idly her
fingers strayed over the keys and the ex-
quisite melody of Schumann's "Trau-
merei," hushed to tones scarce louder
than q whisper, stole upon the charmed
air. Chester bent over her and lightly
touched his lips to the thick ebon tresses
covering her Queenly head She lifted
her strongly marked eyebrows in 9 pretty
affectation Of surprised reproof that was
belied by the lovelight glowing in her
1ustrous black eyes and the faint smile
upon. her pouting red lips. Accepting
that glance as challenge, hekissed her
again, that time upon her sweet, respon-
sive mouth, and though she drew back
from the swift caress she did not frown,
nor did her fingers miss note Of what
she was playing.
IT spoke to your father yesterday"
he said in suppressed voice after q lit
tie pause.
"de mentioned to me last night that
you had, - she replied in a like low tone.
II suppose it is needless to tell you
what he said?''
''He has given me pretty good idea
of it."
IF he were not your father, should
say that he is a heartless, sordid wretch
Don't restrain yourself on my &C.
count, dear. know papa has very
practical way Of looking at things. You
did not commend yourself to him from
that point Of view, that is ALL"
mo, I did not. We were upon alto
gether different planes. To You and me,
darling, love il everything, but to him
IL IL nothing. don't like to speak dis
xespectfully Of your father, but I must
cay, my dear Irma, that fear he ID Of
very sordid nature
eyes; ~ I said, papa IL very practi-
cal. {"
Darling, let me enter little protest
against that word II seems to me I
NEVER hear Of anything that-is wholly
&ntsRonistic to the highest feelings and