The record-union., 1898-05-29

II.
Mrs. Tanning had been dead some
wears. and this aunt stood in the place
of a mother to Ethel. l had easily Won
my way into her good graces, but with
the young lady's father it was differ
ent.
l was only a young lawyer, with my
reputation vet to win dependent wholly
upon my own exertions and talent Tor
a living, and when Mr.. Tanning learned
all this-and also discovered the addi-
tional deplorable fact that I was ad-
dicted to riding a bicycle-he instantly
decided that l was not desirable ac-
ouaintance for the only daughter of q
millionaire. and after that he took es-
pecial pains to keep her as much as
possible out of my way, though he had
not actually forbidden our meeting.
Mr.. Fanning's income was derived
chiefly from investments in street rail-
roads in New York and other large
cities. which fact, / suspect had some
thing to do with his aversion to blcy-
cles.
After thinking the matter over, l de-
cided to beard the lion in his den
or on the piazza, rather - and 1rSue
the case.
I ascended the broad steps to the pl-
azza usually reserved for smokers and
sure enough. there was the arbiter or
my fate enjoying a fragrant Havana.
| There was no one else on the piazza
Fortune was with me thus far.
| Respectfully lifting my hat, | drop
ned into a vacant chair near him ana
said:
MI. Tanning, may ask you a ques-
tion?"
He grunted out something which
might have meant yes or no just as one
happened to construe it. | construed
it in the affirmative. and went on:
II love your daughter. and wish TO
make her my wife. May ] do so?
No legal verbiage about that. nothing
but a plain straightforward statement
followed by an equally straightforward
question. yet Mr. Tanning drew himself
up with the stiffness of a drum major
on parade, removed the cigar from his
lips. and after glaring in my direction
for fully half minute, frigidly ob-
served:
Your language, sir, is utterly incom-
prehensibe!"
rs it?" said l. Il thought / used lam
guage that could be readily understood,
but if / didn't / will try again. I
You needn't trouble yourself to make
any further explanations, young man,
interrupted he, icily. Il don't care TO
discuss the question with you at all. 1t
is utterly inadmissible, and / wonder at
your presumption in asking it. My
daughter is a stranger to you, and
shall take. good care to see that she
remains so.''
Mr. Tanning" I began. Il am
aware of the fact
well. if you are why don't you clear
out?" interrupted he Il don't care for
any further conversation with you. |
have something more important to oc-
cupy my time
And, hitching his chair around until
I had a first-class view of his back. he
returned the cigar to his mouth. then
taking newspaper from his pocket he
calmly began reading it.
'All right, Mr. Tanning" said l. with
equal calmness II generally prefer to
say disagreeable things to peoples
faces instead of behind their backs, but
as you give me no other choice / must
needs say what I have to say to your
back l simply wish to inform you that
that l love your daughter. deeply and
sincerely That feeling she recipro-
Gates, and has promised to marry me-
with your consent. but not without.
Il am exceedingly sorry not to have
obtained that consent at this time, but
we are both young and can afford to
wait, and / trust that in time, when
you know me better, you will realize
that l am not unworthy of even so
noble a prize as the hand of your
daughter
Il own bicycle it is true. but I do
not spend all my time in wheeling.
ride simply for recreation. to refresh
myself and keep my brain clear for
my studies and work l am making
pretty fair living in the law business
quite sufficient for two young presons
of moderate tastes. and with excellent
prospects ahead Of me-
I'm short, I am perfectly able to sup
port your daughter and myself COM
| fortably. even were she to come to me
without your consent but / shall not
ask her to do that. nor shall I seek her
society or hold further communication
with her. except to acquaint her with
your present decision. until you have
had ample time to think the matter over
and make up your mind as to my
worthiness or unworth1ness.
The stiffness in the broad expanse of
back before me began to relax Il trif1e.
No. Mr.. Tanning" l continued
l"though 1t may not agree with your
| preconceived opinion of me, you will
! find that l am a gentleman. / appre
ciate your feelings as a aarent. and |
respect them 1t is a solemn moment
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