Audubon Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Iowa) 1894-1925, 1900-04-12

SAAai
Pardon me-" said Don-and now he
was so thoroughly in earnest 1t never
occurred to him the accusation might
justly have been brought against him
not SO very long ago-"I love Lille
too much to have dreamed OF taking
her from luxuries to which she is ac-
customed. She loves me. and repeat
my right to claim her.
He tossed away the stump OF his
cigar and turned to look at his COM
panfon with naughty defiance that
proud air of majesty which had put
fear and trembling into the heart OF
many a raw recruit.
But Captain Derwent was no raw re-
cruit, but very veteran in affairs OF
love and war, and he could afford to
meet Don's calm nonchalance with an
equally calm smile.
MY dear chap. I'm extremely sorry;
but the child Is under age just yet, and
as happen to have mapped out more
brilliant career for her. I'm afraid |
must emphatically veto that claim OF
yours"
"a more brilliant career" repeated
Don. with young Indignation. Even
IL you are callous to my feelings, Cap
tain Derwelt, have you no care for
Lilies happiness? For | tell you she
loves me-" attested the lover proudly.
And. as frequently occurs, it's a
lady's privilege to change her mind"
reioined Lilies father. smiling. las,
for example, my little Lilies short
lived affair with your Cousin Roddy,
not so many years since"
1T is sufficiently long since to have
completely changed the Lille of those
days to the Lille of to-day" said Don,
who, however skeptical himself OF that
faith whose belief had so transformed
the thoughtless Lille of the past. was
sincere enough to acknowledge its
charm In her.
She loves me as she never loved
Roddy," affirmed Don, in his imperious
way: and" he added, meeting Cap
tain Derwent's eyes with look that
was like the flashing of crossed swords.
Il mean to win her."
Don't be too sure. my friend" said
the Captain, laughing. Il give you the
hint. you'll have Prince Clement Sing
to reckon with as well as myself"
Don stopped and wheeled round upon
his companion, fierce words bursting
through his set teeth, an oath all the
more vehement because Don's lips were
not given to the utterance of them.
What do you mean, sir? he de-
manded.
THAT you are by no means the only
fellow who has set his heart on posses
sing the white Lily" said Captain Der
went. uttering the pet name with airy
popularity.
But Don was in no humor for joking.
Il think" he said, in a proud seorn,
1T is somewhat unfair to bracket me
with Prince Clement Sing. l am in
deadly earnest about my desire to mar
ry your daughter"
"And so is he, my good fellow-so
much in earnest, in fact, that he has
my permission to pay his addresses to
her-may be doing SO this very min
ute, indeed" broke off Captain Der
went lightly.
For an instant Don glared at the
speaker in speechless amazement
You cannot mean it," was the
hoarse exclamation which at last came
from his white lips.
"And wherefore?" queried the other.
with aggravating GOODNESS. Though an
Indian, he is by no means pariah.
Truth is, he has Irish blue blood in
him, and could hold his own with the
best of us as far as classics go. More
over he is as rich as Croesus, has i'm
mense influence at Court; he worships
the very ground she treads on. and
would make her princess"
Again Don stopped short in his walk,
and now his face showed pale as
death. II would kill him and you too
before that should ever happen!" he
cried.