The Superior times. [volume] (Superior, Wis.) 1870-1912, 1899-05-20


ere l would see her welded to a son of
Stephen Cravenw
''That-that is all, sir"
The words came family from the white
lips of the young man. His hands We're
tightly clenched, and his features worked
convulsively
"All? My God, It is enough" e1claim-
ed the banker. "Never let me hear words
on this subject from your lips again, or
will draw new will and disinherit you
altogether. In my present one you are
left legacy-enough to squander, or to
make name and n position with, when
| am gone. Take your choice. Have you
ever dared breathe of your love to my
daughter?'
Uncle Alvin, l know not why you are
so bitter against me-" said the young man
as calmly as he could, though there was
raging fire burning within his bosom.
~ on should know that without your con
sent l would not seek to win my cousins
love. You speak of me as Stephen era
yen's son, but am | not also the son of
your own sister,
"Unfortunately, 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 60"
Biting his lips, the young man turned
away, but ere he reached the door the
banker recalled him.
Herman" he said, Il do not wish to
be unjust to you, but l cannot conceive
how you came by the audacity you must
be imbued with to dare ask my daughters
hand. Yes, yes, l can. You inherited it
from Stephen Craven. My prejudice
against your father, who wrecked my 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 my
duty by my sisters SON.
'You have been very kind to me, sir.
regret that dared raise my eyes so high
as"
Nothing more about that broke in the
old man. Il trust that your illusion has
been dispelled. AS l have stated, | have
you in my will to some ex-
tent. 1t rests with you, by your conduct
and life, to merit a larger remembrance.
| may live for ten years to come show
an inclination, from your ample salary, to
save something for yourself. Cast off n
certain wild set, with whom, | am told,
you spend many of your evenings. Aban-
don altogether whisky and gambling. and
have no fear, l will do my full duty by
you. Do yours by me, young man, and
better than you have been doing it."
Uncle, have been slandered. Did Won
ever see ME under the influence of lio-
uor?'
NO." was the answer, cor you would
not to-day be the cashier of this bank. hut
you have not been slandered. Now Won
have been warned. You are an inmate Of
my own house: in n manner a companion
of my daughter and myself when there
My roof shall not shelter a gambler, or q
trickstcr. You are young. | have Dlaced
you where you have every opportunity of
proving yourself a man: but under no con
ditions could you we'd my daughter. That
is all"
"And under no conditions would she
become your wife should | be called
away" thought the banker rs the young
man left his presence. "She has a lust
of you, if l mistake not. and
besides, think her heart is in the keep
ing of another"
What is it, Duke?"
MARS Alvin" replied coal black ne.
gro. who had opened the door between the
room of the bank and the bank
er's private office. Young Mars Robert
Campbell would like to see you"
"Ah," calculated the banker, and A.
amused smile stole over his features.
admit him, Duke"
The negro, who was fully as aged as the
l. Il 1 !
er before him, was trusted servant who
swept the bank, busted the furniture md
acted as usher, withdrew, and in mo
mcnt more young man who certainly
bore not the slightest resemblance to Her
man Craven, entered the Office.
Robert Campbell was of near Herman's
ase-tall, well formed and of athletic
mold, fair complexion, sandy hair and
and deep blue eyes. There was
an unmistakable air about him that pro-
claimed him a descendant of an ancestry
Of noble men and women. Why should
there not have been. when it had been the
boast of his grandfather, who had been
among the early settlers of eastern North
Carolina, that he belonged to the Clan
Campbell of Scotland
The grandfather had lain many years
beneath Cardinals soil, and two years
previous to this occasion of the young
mans entering the bank his father had
been laid beside him, leaving his son an
hOnOred name, the care of n widowed
mother and young sister. and little else.
The Campbells had formerly been one
Of the wcalthiest turpen,.pe distiling
firms in the South, but the failure Of two
State banks in succession in 1852, togeth-
err with the loss of one of their largest
plants by fire, crippled them 50 badly that
they were forced to suspend. True, the
firm paid dollar for dollar until their last
debt was wiped out, but in doing so it left
them with no capital with which to re
build or carry on their business.
Duncan Campbell never rallied from
this sad reverse, but died two years later,
and without materially improving the
financial condition of Campbell x Son.
After his fathers death young Robert
had made a loan of ten thousand dollars
of Banker DeRosettc, who had ali conf
dence in his integrity and ability to re
tricvc the Campbell fortunes.
The banker had accepted for this loan
n note signed by Robert Campbell alone.
and payable five years from date, said
The first years interest had been met
on the 18th day of August, 1896, and this
day the second payment was due. But
it was not the prospective payment Of the
interest that caused the amused smile on
the bankers lips.
Robert Campbell had for two years OF
more been a frequent caller at his resi-
dence. and the banker had noted that 2
growing intimacy had been advancing be
tween the young man and his daughter
SO when Duke had mentioned his name
and just after Herman Craven had made
his avowal. Uncle Alvin thought not OF
the interest money, but of the probability
Of another demand soon being made for
his daughters hand.
We'll Robert, | am glad to see you."
he exclaimed. as the young man came for
ward with extended hand. How is the
mother and Jennie?'
We'll, Mr.. DeRosette, we'll. thank YOU.
| need hardly ask concerning Miss Hattie,
l saw her so recently. You know the eight