Hot Springs weekly star. (Hot Springs, S.D.) 1892-1917, 1899-05-19

Mr.. DcIosctte retraccd his steps, and
had resumed his seat when his nephew,
with Il flushed face and seemingly very
nervous. approached him.
Herman Craven at this time had passed
his twcnty-third year. He was of rather
slight build. dark complexion. black hair
and mustacllc, and restless, piercing eyes.
But for the prominence of his white teeth
he might have bccn considered attractive
looking.
We'll, sir" exclaimed the banker, look
ing up.
Thu NERVOUSNESS OF the cashier incrcas-
cd; but mastering his emotion as best he
could. he said: Uncle Alvin, 1 have for
some time wished to say to o what l
now shall. but have lacked the opportu.
nifty. AT the house l never have one."
"Iow so, sir?"
"Oh. l did not like to ask you, in Hat.
ties presence, for your consent to seek
her hand"
"IIer hand? Hattie's hand?" eNclaim-
cd the banker, excitedly.
YES, Uncle. 1 love my cousin as l do
my life. and would make her my bride;
now you know why 1 wished to see you
privatcly-I ask your consent"
ASK my consent to wed my daughtcr?'
exclaimed the old man, springing to his
feet. Are you crazy? You! You we'd
my daughter? Was it to hear this state
mcnt from your lips that l took you into
my employ? For this that ] gave you IL
home and position? Rest assured. young
man, that as dearly as l lov my daughter,
i would gladly lay her form in the grave
ere 1 would see her welded to Il son of
Stephen Craven"
"That-that is all. sir"
The words came family from the white
lips of the young man. His hands We're
tightly clencled, and his features worked
convulsivcly.
".All? My God. it is cnough..' eNclaim-
ed the banker. "Nevcr let me hear words
on this subject from your lips again, or 1
will draw IL new will and d%isinherit you
altogether. In my present one you are
left Il ~legacy-cnough TO squandcr. or to
make II name and IL position with. when
l am gone. Take Your choice. Have YOU
ever dared breathe of your love to my
daughter:"
"Cncle Alvin. know not why you are
so bitter against me-" said the young man
as calmly as he could, though there vas
Il raging fire burning within his bosom.
"Hou should know that without your con-
sent l would not seek to win my COUSINS
love. You speak of me as Stephen Graz
VEINS son, hut am l not also the son of
your own sister,"
extraordinarily, yes-and that should
preclude your ever being my daughters
husband. Place my objections on that
ground. if YOU will. First cousins should
never marry. You may co."
Biting his lips. the young man turned
away, but ere he reached the door the
banker recalled him.
Herman" he said. 81 do not wish to
he unjust to you, hut l cannot conceive
how you came by the audacity you must
he imbucd with to dare ask my daughters
hand. Yes. yes. l can. You inherited it
from Stephen Craven. My prejudice
against our father. who wrecked INV sis
ter's life and brought her to an untimely
grave, shall not-does not rest on YOUR
head, else you would not be in the position
you are in to-day. l have tried to do INV
duty by my sisters SON."
You have been very kind to me, sir. /
regret that l dared raise my eyes so high
ass"
Nothing more about that" broke in tho
old man. II trust that your illusion has
been dispelled. As l nave stated, / have
remembered you in my will to some ex-
tent. 1t rests with you, by your conduct
) and life, to merit Il larger remembrance.
. L may live for ten years to come. Show
!, an inclination. from your ample salary. to
!: save something for yourself. Cast off a
certain wild set, with whom. l am told.
you spend many of your evenings. Aban.
don altogether whisky and gambling. and
/, have no fear, will do my full duty by
: YOU. DO yours by me. young man, and
better than YOU have been doing it,"
ssI'rnln lrr, bn,,, .l,,J,..I ma,
+ ever see me under the influence of liu-
/. uor?"
NO. was the answer ''or you would
not to-day be the cashier of this bank: but
you have not been slandcrcd. Now Won
have been warned. You are an inmate of
my own house; i'll a manne Il companion
of my daughter and myself when there.
My roof shall not shelter IL gambler, or a
trickstcr. You are young. l have placed
YOU where you have every opportunity of
proving yourself Il man: but under no con-
ditions could you wed my daughter. That
is ALL"
And under no conditions would she
become your wife should 1 be called
away thought the banker as the young
man left his presence. "Shc has a just
appreciation of you. if / mistake not. and
besides. l think her heart is i'll the keep.
ing of another"
What is it. Duke?"
MARS Alvin" replied n coal black nc.
gro, who had opened the door between the
reception room of the hank and the bank.
cr's private office. Young Mars Robert
Campbell would like to see you."
"Ah!" calculated the banker, and nm
amused smile stole over his features.
admit him, Duke"
The negro. who was fully as aged as the
banker. and who had belonged to his faith.
or before him. was Il trusted servant who
swept the bank. busted the furniture and
acted as usher. withdrew. and in a mo.
ment more ii young man who certainly
bore not the slightest resemblance to Her
man Craven. entered the office.
Robert Campbell was of near Herman's
age-tall, well formed and of athletic
mold. fair complexion, sandy hair and
mustache, and deep blue eyes. There was
nh unmistakable mir about him that pro.