The record-union., 1898-05-29

ing of another no matter how manly
or how worthy of the great trust that
other may be. do not wish to hurry
you. Take ample time to inquire into
my character and prospects, and a.
year from now l will come to you for
my answer, l am going now, Mr., Fan
ming, and if you have anything to say
to me before l take my departure II
shall be happy to listen to it"
Mr.. Tanning evidently had something
to says Tossing away the stump of his
cigar he swung his chair halfway
around, and. giving me quick glance,
suddenly demanded:
Young. man. have you a yearly in
come of $10O00?".
No. but"
Wen, sir" he broke in. mo man
whose income is under that figure shall
ever marry my daughter You are
more Of a man than | thought you
were, but your aspirations are in vain.
L have other plans for my daughters s
future, and it will be useless to again
approach me on that subject"
Perhaps you may change your mind
in a year. 1 will call for final answer
then"
You needn't. The matter is already
settled. ood-day Mr.. MarstOni"
Ten thousand dollars. eh?" said |
to myself. We'll, if I've got to wait
until my yearly income reaches that
| figure I'm afraid Ethel will either have
| to marry someone else or die an old
maid. And the worst of it is, it is just
like the old fellow to stick to those fig
ures. When he puts his foot down he
evidently puts it down to stay. Hullo!
there's Ethel and her aunt now, COM
ing this way l suppose 1 can at least
bow; | didn't promise not to do that.
AS l met them they both smiled and
! bowed l politely lifted my hat, but
am afraid my smile was not very reas-
surfing Ethel gave me a quick, search
ing glance, and a rose she ha: been
carrying suddenly huttered to the
| ground.
Restoring lost property certainly
could not come under the ban, so pick
! ing it up l said:
Excuse me, Miss Tanning, but you
have dropped your rose"
20, thank you!" she replied quickly
turning and facing me, while her aunt
with rare thoughtfulness walked slow
| ly onward You are very kind, but
you may keep it if you wish"
For answer 1 pressed the flower tC
my lips, and then placed it in my but
tOnhole Ethel blushed until her cheeks
rivaled the rose in brilliancy of color
| ing, and her eyes fell for a moment
then suddenly she flashed a look of in
| Quiry into mine.
Yes, I've seen him." said I, in reply
| to the question her eyes had asked
and I'm sorry to say he thinks / would
make a very undesirable sort of SON
in-law. Nothing under a $1,000 in
come will do for his daughters hus-
! band, he says, and besides, he has
other plans for your future-going to
marry you to a duke, | expect, if he
gets a chance and you're willing-that
! is, provided the duke doesn't ride a
| bicycle. Somehow that seems to be
something your father can't forgive.
We'll, 1 must. confess, things look q
! trife discouraging just now, but he may
change his mind. l told him not to
decide hastily to take plenty of time
| to inquire into my character and pros
poets, and in a year l would come for
! a final answer IN the meantime / told
him that. after farewell interview, !
would hold no fufther communication
/ with you, nor endeavor to persuade you
| into doing anything contrary to his will
So l will say good-by for the present;
and-and you'll agree to wait year
won't you, Ethel?"
Yes" she Whispered; "a dozen, il
necessary"
Thank you;- you're an angel"
No, I'm not. I'm just a woman
which is better yet Angels don't mar
ry. But auntie will wonder what has
| become of me If l don't hurry along
| Good-by jack" And she went flying
up the pathway after her aunt.