The Wellington enterprise. [volume] (Wellington, Ohio) 1899-1900, 1899-11-15

y
to his former posture. / thought my
undauntedness and straightforward
ness had at least shaken him. 81
He finally answered, his voice atleast
lowered from the first high pitch:
"But. granting this, what then? Al
best your plan requires considerable
time"
THAT I admit" 1 said, reluctantly
at could not well be compassed under
\ few years."
sand meanwhile my niece might lose
a desirable match. Come, I would NOT
be unreasonable. You seem likely
enough fellow. and all l have heard
Of you commends you, yet notwith
standing cannot now concede what
you wish. Go on and achieve the things
you speak of, if you can, and then we
will see what is to be said. Further
than this will not promise. Indeed
have gone beyond my first intent II
yielding so much. But 1t must be un
derstood that there is to be no more
loye-making. I shall have my eyes
open-which 1t seems hitherto have
not, or have been overpassed-and al
infringement 1 shall meet by strict
measures. Now you have my answer
which / have meant should be to the
point, as is my custom"
He ended with little more severity
than he had begun, yet not harshly
and seemed to await my answer.
In good sooth, 1 could not find much
fault. He had not given me the sort
of reply could have wished, to be
sure, and I did not go to the length
of finding much encouragement in his
generalities; yet, on the other hand
he had not fatty refused me, and he
had not treated my suit with con-
tempt. I perceived that it stood me
in hand to meet him in the prompt and
frank fashion he seemed to look for
and hence l nodded in a satisfied way
and answered.:
II can ask nothing more. I am
aware that the greatness of what
seek is beyond my deserts. Let ii
stand as it is, then. You do not posi-
lively refuse me, and l have my own
success to work out. am beholden
to you, sir, for your consideration"
'Why, you are welcome" he an
swered, quite genially. "And, Master
Ardick," he went on, as l rose and
made to go, 81 would say that I wish
to stand your friend. Ihave very keen
ly in mind the obligation you have
placed me under-you and your COM
panions. l trust at no distant day
to be able to repay some small share
OF the debt"
81 thank you in turn" / said, rather
coldly, "but in the present hospitality
you repay all that l, at least, can ac-
cept. wish you goodnight"
And with well-managed bit of loft
mess (albeit my heart was heavy
turned and stalked over to the COM
panion.
"Master Ardickl" he called after me,
to my surprise.
"Aye, sir" l responded, wheeling in
stantly, my pulse suddenly quickened.
mentioning your companions sug-
gests another matter. Do you recall
that l once asked you whence they
hailed?"
aI dc, !" 1 answered, considerably dis
appointed. I had expected something
to another purpose.
tAnd you said that Mr.. Tym and the
captain were from Southampton and
Mac Ivrach from Glasgow? lam ask
ing merely to be sure l understood
you"
"You are little astray,"I answered,
my silly irritation passing; "only the
captain is from Southampton. Mr..
Tym, though he has of late lived in
London-that is, when not at sea-
was born and reared in some town in
Sussex"
as it SOP" he said, with little sur
prise. Then / Inexperienced you.
That alters the case. must see Mr.,
Tym. l will explain to you that the
business concerns the letter that Capt,
Sellinger brought. This letter was
from dear friend of mine, now dead,
and is of very much Importance. 1t
was written in New York, where my
friend lived, and came to me in the
strange and roundabout way you
know of. Among other things, must
now get upon the track Of certain
family of Sussex. If you are about to
go below, will you not ask Mr.. Tym to
step up hitherP" @..t.
Certainly l answered, and with a
slight distraction from my own mat.
ters for the moment, l wished him
good night and left the deck.