The Union times. [volume] (Union, S.C.) 1894-1918, 1900-12-28
CHAPTER Nv.

Inree Gays hau passed since our ad-
venture In Don Miguel's house, and as
had heard no more about the broken
cruciblc I began to hope that II there
had been n storm it lad blown over.
Eut on tho fourth morning, after
breakfast, my father told rle to follow
him into his study. ana l guessed that
an uncomfortable half hour was I'm
store for me. | was not wrong.
John" said my father. "what were
you doing ut Don Miguers house three
nights ago:"
Il went to see Inez." 1 replied, trem.
bling, but defiant.
"Do you often go?"
eyes, father"
"Why?"
He was looking at me so gravely, and
he spoke so quietly, I knew he was
very angry. thought. however. that
the boldest course was the best, SO I
spoke the plain truth.
Because Inez ~ my sweetheart"
"Your sweetheart? Hmw and he
stared at me harder than ever.
Eyes, father" l said. twirling my
cap in my fingers nervously, "and-and
l want to marry her."
ooh, is that SO? How old are your
"I'm In my nineteenth year."
"Quite true, quite true. Your state.
ments are generally reliable, John. 1t
Is your one good point. But l may &c.
mind you that it is also true that you
celebrated your eighteenth birthday
just n month ago. You'd forgotten
that for the moment!'
"No, father"
"No? Well, just for the sake Of argu-
ment, we will say you are 1S. Rather
young to marry, isn't it?'
Eyes, father" 1 answered, "but''-
"Never mind the but John. You
are too young to marry, and that's one
point against you. How do you pro-
pose to support n wife? Pardon my
asking; it's n very pertinent question"
81 thought perhaps that YOU
"Well, out with it. John. You thought
perhaps that r.
"That you would set me up in some
business"
"Good! l was afraid t.!at yon wore
going to suggest that might share
my income with you, but I'm glad to
find that l misjudgcd you. Let me
see. What sort Of business should you
prefer? 4 fishermnn's? Yon shake
your head. A poacher? No? Well.
I'm afraid l can't think of anything
else for which you are suited. 1t is
very sad. but really I don't think you
can support n wife Mt present. Point
number two. John"
"But, father
"Wait a minute. l have two more
points to urge yet, and then you can
have your say. Point number three
the lady Is foreigner. Point number
four-I have other views for you. Now
let me hear what you have to urge on
your side"
81 love Inez."
"She loves me-" '~,,$fl y
AND .>'F
Nothing else"
very cogent reasons. I shouldn't adj
wise you to trust too much to the Sec
| ond. by the way, but am afraid they
| are not sufficient. Now, sir. listen to
me. You arc an idle, good for nothing
| scamp. and from every side l hear
nothing but bad reports Of you. You
| and your companion in mischief, Alex
| ander Ireland. are n disgrace to the
| town. Don Miguel tells me that you
utterly ruined an experiment Of his
| which had tc.:cn months OF constant
work and had cost him large sum Of
money. He had just brought 1t to a
successful conclusion when you caused
him to spill his precious liquid on the
floor, and he demands that shall
make good the damage. What do you
say to tEat?"
"That you won't do It," l answered,
for knew my father.
"Well. no. don't consider that he
was engaged on lawful work, so shall
refuse to pay. But that Is not the
point. Your conduct Is simply dis
graceful, and have resolved to put n
stop to 1t. l have obtained slZarship
for you at Glare Hall, Cambridge, and
you shall start off there in two days"
"But want to go to sea-" cried.
II choose that you shall not"
"Am to be a parson, thenW
Certainly. Have you any objec'
tionf''
IL hate the work. l said sullenly.
"Oh, that's unfortunate, but I'm
afraid I can't alter my decision. Now
go and remember forbid you to speak
to Don Miguers daughter"
"But, father
"This discussion is at an end"
Thus 1t happened that two days aft
er the conversation with my father
was on my way to Cambridge, con
demned to fit myself by hard study
for the calling Of parson.
My father was inexorable. The hfe
he said, had proved q congenial one tt