The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1898-02-20


.nd's busiest towns. couple Of men were
eaied IN conversation some years ago.
krs Of them WAS Mr.. Alexander Blair.
Re- rich w9oien manufacture he was
4bout fifty years Of age. was fat, common
boxing and his success was writ large in
l. every word and gesture
i Hss companion was half his years. was
3zrk finely built. and his strong and pas
: easse will were revealed IN his fins eyes
"a powerful face. This man was David
leslie ard while the elder pulled away.
ptssslssly 81 his cigar the younger one
poke warmly. appeaisngly long.
II Here may De set down &C much OF David
4esfIe's sntecsdents IS il Is necessary the
d. DER should know lie was poor man
learning his livelihood as clerk-al-
koagh some Of the best blood IN SCOTLAND
n in his veins. and his arlssocratic rel
82yes might easily have found MIN some
]uag appointment had ne not been too
3~pud 70 ask the slightest favor AT their
nunds He was the only son OF a father
zsho had squandered a considerable for
IRE. leaving hts wife TO die almost in
<fGry. and his son 10 fight hard for ex-
1stsnce.
NJ may be added that Alexander Blair.
20 was a widower. had one fair daugh-
IxY with whom David Leslie had fallen
: love. and by whom he WAS loved In re-
Kurn He was there that evening 10 tell
NJ love 10 the WOODEN merchant. and TO
Esk him TO sanction his wooing Of Mildred
sir.
4fresently. Leslie ceased speaking. and
bin a face somewhat paled by the anx-
by In his mind. he awaited the Others
~ aly. There was a moments silence, and
hen the elder man spoke.
The thing Is impossible. sir. utterly I'M
~ ssihieH' Blair exclaimed In quick. EN-
kaa,ic tone a. ne rose To- his feet
I"lmposslbieg David Leslie echoed. I'M
ble 10 utter aaght else
Yes quite 80. / assure you. You nigh.
i well asked me 10 make my wooden
bangfactorles over 20 you, as 20 AK ne
y ms daughters hand. | can only ex-
kess my ufprise that you should nave
Zknfurea 10 ask such thing &ily Is
b young Yet 10 think Of marrying any
~ and when she does marry. her hus-
and must be her equal IN every way
Ia sorry TO have 10 speak Ike this, but
/ p truth had better be told At once.
G"AnA this - your final answer" Leslie
Fmand.d sulenly. as he rose also.
sVsMost certainty II is" Blair replied,
nsrd trust the matter viii end here
Ido not understand how you were induced
Id come here on such en- errand. feel
Haie sure that Mllly has not given you
E4son TO believe that she was desrous Of
&rcoming your wife.
HeYou are mistaken IN thinking 50" the
&pung man replied holly. Mtlly loves
~. and she has promised 20 become my
we as soon as you viii permit her to
Dairy me"
I'she ls foolinx 3u. mani cried Alex
Nrter Blair testify. she has only been
8Ruriug herself ~ your expense. She Is
b, such fool "a 70 ruin her whole life
loving and margins a poor devil when
Oanxen rich men are haf-cr8 SEQ about
1aYou wrong your daughter ana insult
u bv such expressions" again Leslie
He'd hoily. "ana you may set regret the
ne YOU have thought ~ 90 adopt tn TINS
Aservlew. viii trouble you no longer
ood morning
do
II Simply this. | love your daughter, /
o. satisfied that she loves me and as
here Seems 10 be small chance ~ offain-
your consent 20 our engagement not
Z speak OF our marriage may take "a
ko my head 20 make short work ot all
icuiiiss hy marrying her In defiance
y you"
EMy daughter would never disgrace her
pr ~ ar elopoment" the elder man re-
sed with sheer though the others
nhdent tone had nlled MS breast with
me misglvlngs
VTAe disgrace VIII rest upon those who
bfce her into the act" Leslie reioinea
eaisirg more calmly.
III don't believe that Mily cares toss
~ Ter YOU and you grossly exaggcrate
puF power ever her am absolutely
riaIa OF that"
81 Perhaps ! do anyhow am not here 70
scuss that I have heard all 7 care 10