The Superior times. [volume] (Superior, Wis.) 1870-1912, 1897-10-09


vise but us an old friend of my fathers
he would suggest that | should take no
rash step-indecd. hamper myself with
no obligations until the wanderer return
ed. His manner told me that he expected
my father would at once forbid the step
L was contemplating.
Down to Cheltenham | went the next
morning. During the journey l thought
over the best way of opening operations,
and concocted dignitied, yet amatory,
sentences suitable to the occasion. Gen.
Gore was the foes name. / walked about
the fashionable watering place, and tim
ed myself to arrive at Gen. Cores at half
past two.
l was shown into a drawing room, and
from the fact that every window was
shut, and from an odor Of sandulwood
which stole from variety Of carved
knick- knacks scattered about | knew |
had guessed correctly when | said the
general was Indian. In Il few moments
he made his appearance. He was terri
bic old man. His face showed he had no
liver, and my instinct told me he had no
heart. \ tall, northumberland old man.
with an aquiline nose, bushy eyebrows
and Il most notwithstanding mouth and
chin, with the stcrnness of an old soldier
and the precision of a martinez. Oh,
Claudinc. Claudinc, this is too much.
Mr.. Philip Norris, .Icrmyn street, a |
read it, he said. raising his eyes and
their accompaniment from my card.
] bowed. If he had chosen to read
"Mr. Peter Nokes, st. Giles | should not
have venturcd to contradict him.
"Oue Of Hampshire Norrisses," he con
tinued.
NO" l said; my family lives in Dew
onshire.'
Morris is not Devonshire name" said
the general, severely. Now, sir, what is
your pleasure with me-
The generals enormously magniticd
eyes looked at me in such Il searching
manner that | felt uncomfortable and
embarrassed
Il have been spending the last fort
night at Lady Estmere's with Miss Ne
yiIlc-your ward, | believe. sir
she is my ward. sir. Do you bring q
message from her
Not exactly "A message. | should per
haps call it Il communication" / replied.
attempting to smile in spite of the gen
erals dazzling eyes. In fact. General
Gore, we have seen a great deal of each
other, and | have called 10 speak To You
upon Il matter III which my happiness
indeed, | believe | may say her happiness
is concerned.
The general arose and deliberately rang
the bell. | was aghast. Surely he could
not be going to order me out Of the hous,,
without even hearing what | had to say.
Il know exactly, sir. what you are 20
ing to tell me- he said. Il have heard
the same on several occasions Thonu-
son'-to Il man servant who appeared in
answer to his summons-''tcll Miss Care
| want her at once. ! know so little
about headstrong girls and their WAYS
that am always guided in these matters
by a woman. Selma. this is Mr.. Norris
a Dcvonshire Norris, not Hampshire,
he informs me, He calls with some ro
quest respecting Claudine | have sent
for You to hear him. My sister. Miss
Gore. Mr.. Norris. Now said the gen
cral, you can rccoInmcnce-Sistcr Sc
lima"
Il have little to say" | began. "eyccrt
that having been thrown great deal IN
Miss Ncvillc's society, | have learned 10
love her dearly. and | am proud to say
she returns my love. We both thought
it right that you, her guardian. should be
at once made acquainted with our inteu-
tons, anI | trust YOU will give your ap-
prevail
| spoke earnestly, and fancicd that So
lima looked apprCciative and sympathctic.
4 woman is always a woman at least
even if she be fifty five and a srinster
and with a terrible old retired general for
brother. hoped
Il ~ all
the General.
Yes, sir, | think that is ALL | must
leave YOU to say the rest"
You are sure there is nothing else"
and as he spoke his dreadful eyes trans
fixed me.
Nothing except TO repeat that | will
do all III my power to make her happy"
VERY we'll, sir. then it is now my turn.
| shall ask YOU y series Of questions
which YOU will be good enough to rcpIv
To. As you answer them so our decision
NAV be soon arrived at. Selma, listen
carefully
felt horribly foolish. and like Grim
inal before 4 Judge.
is your father alive, and. if so, what
is his profession or m"anst'
He is man of property-!argc prop
cftN. 1 itIitNc.
What is your profesSiOn:'
Il am studying for the bar
What do you live upon now; have You
money"
Only what my father allows me-
How much is that
There is no specified sum. | draw all
| want
Then at his pleasure he might with
draw I and leave Won penniless:'
Yes, | suppose So" | was getting am
noyed at these searching and mcrcenary
inquiries He is ON the other side of til"
world noW-hc will not hc back for Il year
hut do not want to marry Claudinc at
once" ! continued. Il will wait until his
return. All We want now is your consent
10 our engagement. Are there any more
questions You wish me TO answer"
None ut all, thank You" replied the
General. II am quite satisfied" BY the
way in which he spoke | knew that ali
hope of General Cores consent was at
an end | had been Tuning mentally dur
ing the Y hole inquiry was annoyed ut
my undiguiiied position and inability 10
answer his inquiries in Il more satiSfac-
tory manner. | thought | might as vol
perish gioriou>ly. So | rose and made him
Il bow. and copied a. far rs | could re
member. bis own words.
You are sure there is nothing else,
General Gore
Nothing else, sill"
If you care to know my height. it is
five feet ten. my weight eleven stone SiN:
have been vaccinatcd. and, believe.
baptized. and my health * remarkably
good. Perhaps now you will give me