The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1899-04-07

turning his head bit so as to regard
me.
Again kind of cold fit took me.
This alert merchant way of his put
me out, and then had a growing sense
of what there was at stake. / hung
In the wind an instant, but In that
time managed to CONFIRM my resolu-
tion once more.
THE business, SIR" l began with a
sort of desperate bluntness, concerns
your niece. presume some depreca-
ton of my boldness may be in order.
but yet l choose rather to come at
once TO the heart of the matter. In
word, I love her, and she has avowed
she loves me. II lacks but your con-
sent to wed her"
was not surprised that Mr.. Hopes
feet came down from the chain. and
that he stiffened up and looked at me
with q clouded countenance. I faced
him steadfastly.
"This is a sort of business was not
expecting" he said. in a cold and yet
well-mastered voice. "May ask If you
have considered all that goes with your
proposition?'
"As what, sire" said I, apprehend-
ing we'll enough what he meant, yet
wishing to draw lin out.
81 had thought bette of your un-
derstanding." he said, speaking now
with the harshness he had concealed
before. what should mean but the
proof of your fitness for the match?
In a word, what fortu:e have you, and
what are your other qualifications that
should consider you?"
THAT" I said, never flinching, 81 can
as yet return but an Indifferent an
swcr to. | mean from what | con-
ccive is your standpoint. My personal
character | may say, is all You can ask
for. As for fortune. have none. and no
better than fair prospects. | mean to
| follow the. sen, At least, for a time,
and trust by and by to come to the
command of a ship, the which should
not be such a poor attainment. My
/ father was a sailor" | went on, land
rose to be a master and owned three
parts Of his ship. | trust with So
briefly and diligence to do as much"
He puffcd out his lips. somewhat in
/ Mr.. Tym's fashion, and squared about
/ 10 his former posture. | thought my
undauntedness and straightforward
ness had at least shaken him.
He finally answered. his voice At least
lowered from the first nigh pitch:
But, granting this, what then? At
best your plan requires considerable
time"
THAT | admit" | said, reluctantly
at could not we'll be comprised under
few years"
And meanwhile my niece might lose
desirable match. Come, would not
be unreasonable. You seem likely
enough fellow, and all | have heard
of you commends you, yet notwith
standing | cannot now concede what
you wish. Go on and achieve the thing,
you speak Of, if you can, and then we
will see what is to be said. Further
than this l will not promise. Indeed
l have gone beyond my first intent il
yielding so much. But ii must be un
derstood that there is to be no more
love-malling. shall have my eyes
open-which il seems hitherto | have
not, or have been overpassed-and al
infringement | shall meet by stric
measures. Now you have my answer
which have meant should be to tn,
point, as is my custom"
lie ended with little more severi.j
than he had begun, yet not harshly
and seemed 10 await my answer.
In good sooth, could not find mucl
fault. He had not given me the sort
of reply l could have wished, to bC
sure, and | did not go to the length
of finding much encouragement in hi
generalities; yet, on the other hand
he had not fatty refused me, and h,
had not treated my suit with con
tempt. | perceived that it stood mt
in hand to meet him in the prompt ant
frank fashion he seemed to look for
and hence | nodded in a satisfied wa!
and answered:
81 can ask nothing more. an
aware that the greatness of what
seek is beyond my deserts Let i
stand rs it is, then. You do not posi-
lively refuse me, and | have my owl
success to work out am beholdei
to you, sir, for your considerations"
"Why, you are WELCOME he an
swered, quite genially. "And, Maste
Ardick," he went on, as / rose ant
made to go, 81 would say that | wis
to stand your friend. have very keen
ly in mind the obligation you hav
placed me under-you and your com
panions. / trust at no distant da
to be able to repay some small shar
of the debt"
81 thank you in turn said, rattle
coldly, but in the present hospitalit
, you repay all that |, at least, can a'
cept. wish you goodnight"
And with well-managed bit of loft
mess (albeit my heart was heavy
turned and stallied over to the con
, panion.
, master Ardicll!" he called after M
to my surprise.
: "Aye, sir" responded, wheeling il
stantly, my pulse suddenly quickeneC