The citizen. (Frederick City, Md.) 1895-1923, 1899-08-25

An invitation to attend levee OF
the Prince of Wales could not have
caused Dick greater surprise and yet
you would not have known, from his
manner, that 1t was anything more
than an invitation to a dinner. lie
leisurely finished a game OF pool, win
ming II, of course and just as leisurely
passed up and into the great, white
pillared mansion, prepared for trouble
and curious to know just what form
1t was going to take.
When Dick stepped into the library
he was received in a manner which
rather nonplussed him, and from
which he very mistakenly took heart.
The stormy anger and sharp tongue OF
the older man had, apparently, been
overcome in some way, and In their
place. a little courtesy and a voice
less harsh was a great relief. A man
of experience would have quickly de-
tected the danger signal in the smooth
manner of the inancier and promoter,
but not Dick He had had very little
experience with promoters.
Il have taken the liberty TO send for
you tonight. Mr.. Dana. because l want
to talk with you on subject which
ought to interest you very much. II
is a thing which has been very much
on my mind since our sst-our last
well. confess, rather UNPLEASANT meet
ing"
Dick looked intently 4 the Older
man. who was care,eSsly toying with
q pair Of eyeglasses. and remained ST.
lent
1T is subject on which. very like
~, | have no business TO intru$'. and
yet, il continually suggests itself TO
me after-well. after what has passed
between us, and let me say now
now that | have had time 70 consider
everything. that IN all your relations
with my family, you have conducted
yourself most honorably and gentle
manly"
Dick was beginning to feel a little
uncomfortable and nervously pulled al
his watch chain. but the older man
WAS quick to continue.
'Wha, l want to talk to you about is
yourself and your future"
tn two men faced each other and
taco was an interval of silence. Dick
tzA wing 10 figure ont just what had
rs Il or was about to happen. The
ho3 that the father was going to with
draw his objections TO his suit no soon
err occurred To him than it was dis
missed Dick knew him too well 20
believe that ne would change his mind
in that respect.
After a pause adroitly drawn out
to allow of the desired impression, the
financier continued.
Now. Richard, to get right down TO
I m n 70
offer. You have always had an eye
for architecture and | am convinced
that with careful study of the subject
you can make success of It. | am
told that the suggestions you made
when they were building the Parish
House were most valuable and that led
me to think the matter over-you see
] have taken greater interest in you
than you thought--and | have evolved
this proposition which | want you to
consider: | viii furnish you with
funds to the amount Of six thousand
dollars provided you will go to Paris
and Rome and devnie yourself faith
fully to the study Of architecture for
two years. Upon your return ! will
probably be able to give you sufficient
work to enable you to pay me back the
money advanced and | am convinced
that with your brains and ability you
can return 80 this country and be in
reality-well architect OF your own for
tune. Now. what do Eou think of it?"
Dick was thinking very aard. On
its face Il was a magnificent PROPOSE
ton, and just such a plan of which he
had often dreamed, but there was
closely associated with that dream the
recollection of girls face. What
would Grace say? and was this, after
all, just scheme to get rid of him?
Mr.. Dixon was the first to break the
silence, by saying. just as though it
was small matter which had for the
moment skipped his memory
And, by-the-byG. Richard. of course
that absurd engagement with Grace
must be terminated. Grace is only a
school girl. you know, and has been
reared in luxury and all that. OF
course you understand how impossible
it would be for you TO support her. ]
don't really believe there is any neces-
sity to bring up tpnt subject now, ex-
cept that | would like to have it under
stood. Women are queer, you know,
and Grace has large ideas of loyalty
and love and all that nonsense per-
fectly ridiculous, know, but you I'M
derstand how it is With them"
Dick was standing now. His face
was just littie flushed and there was
a great brightness ~ his eyes. He
was amazed at his owh perfect self
control and his manner was taken for
eagerness by a pair OF crafty eyes
which peeped ove7 gold trimmed spec
tacles just as they had on many other
occasions, when the golden bait had
been put out. When the younger man
spoke, there was perceptible tremb-
ling of his voice, but his manner was
decisive and to the point
81 think yea are right about the en-
gagement," he sald. ''it should have
been ended before this. | think nm
derstand you, however, but TO make
matters palmer, if You will allow nae.
| will put them in writing"
Dick sat down at the deck and after
writing few moments submitted the
following:
For, and in consideration of. the
sum of six thousand dollars. paid to me
this day by Arthur Dixon, ESQ.,. to be
spent in studying architecture In Ell
rope, nereDy agree TO put an end for
ever to the matrimonial engagement
now existing between his daughter
Grace, and myself. =
"(Signed. RICHARD DANA"
That's a little shorter" said Dick.
but think 1t covers the ground"
It's certainly plain enough" the
tfomoter eXchim; j in fact, may say
that 1t is admirably executed" and the
faint trace of a smile was discernible