Custer weekly chronicle. [volume] (Custer City, S.D.) 1890-1931, 1900-06-30
The Fittest Survives
BY J. II. CONNOLLY.


strongly marked eyebrows in a pretty
affectation of surprised reproof that
was belied by the iovelight glowing. in
her lustrous black eyes and the FAINT
smile upon her pouting red lips. Ac-
cepting that glance ~ a challenge, ne
kissed her again, that time upon her
sweet, responsive mouth, and though
she drew back from the swift caress
she did not frown, nor did her fingers
miss a note of what she was playing.
81 spoke to your father yesterday
he said in a suppressed voice after a
little pause.
"He mentioned TO me last night that
you had" she replied IN a like low
tone.
II suppose it is needless to tell you
what he sai1?"
HE has given me a pretty good idea
of it,"
IF he we're not your father l should
say that he is q heartless, sordid
wretch"
Don't restrain yourself on my ac-
count, dear. | know papa has a very
practical way of looking at things.
You did not commend yourself to him
from that point of view, that is ALL
NJ, A III HOI. we WCIC uDOi aiAO
gether different planes. To you and
me, darling, love is everything, u to
him it is nothing. / dou-t like to speak
disrespectfully of your father, but l
must say, my dear Trina, that | fear
he is of a very sordid nature"
"Yes; as j said, papa is very practi-
cal"
Darling, let me enter a little pro-
facf nnoinct that word IL cnarnG fO
me | never hear of anything that is
wholly antagonistic to the highest
feelings and noblest impulses of our
natures that it is not ~approvingly
characterized by somebody as 'practi-
cal SO far as l have been able to
learn, neither lofty thoughts, gem
erous sentiments, soulful aspira-
| tions, artistic sensibilities, ~humanizing
emotions, ardent patriotism nor pure
love is practical Nothing is 'practi-
cal but money"
Irma looked up and laughed-a rip
ping, siGvery little laugh-as she re-
piled:
Naturally, since money is practi-
cally a necessity. Even if we are not
very practical persons, we are sur
rounded by those who are and who
compel us to be so, in spite of ur-
selves. The butcher, the baker and the
candletsick maker are all intensely
practical, and so are our requirements
for their services, for which we must
make practical return. | cannot see
how even the ~loftiest soul, in a state
of civilization, could possibly get along
without practical money, or its practi-
cal equivalent"
hAnh nf nnlIrsn Won Dra rlnhf when
it to that. l did not mean to de-
cry money. 1t is a necessary thing,
and / don't dream of trying to get
along without it. But an excessive
amount of it, more than one actually
requires, is surely not a sine qua non
to a happy existence"
mo, perhaps not. But what one ac-
tually requires is a Very elastic limi-
tation. That depends upon ones
tastes, habits of life, social surround
ings. The best rule is that the more
one has of it the safer one will be of
having what is actually required
THAT appears to be a sound propo-
sition. But to return to the immedi-
ately serious subject for considera-
ton. While your father declines to
give his consent to our marriage, his
1 ODDOGltlOh oCVlllS " NC ld1lNl puOoiNN y
than active. He as good as gave me to
understand that you might do as you
| pleased about it. And of course you
understand what / hope you will
please to do, my darling"
While speaking he had possessed
himself of her left hand. Her right
continued making the soft, dreamy
music, and she looked at him serious
ly, steadily, without reply. He went
on:
II want you to become my wife at
once. Let us go out quietly and get
married. There is nothing to stand in
the way of our doing so, and when the
deed is lone | feel convinced that he
will find it quite natural and will for
give it,"
She shook her head very positively
as she answered:
you think so because you do not
know papa. l do. A stranger to him
cannot judge at all what he
thinks by what he says. 1t is
not even easy always to- un
derstand what he does. / do not
at all like his apparent willingness
that | shall do as / please, throwing
all the responsibility on me. You may
rest assured that if he once meant No
he will continue to mean it, and until
the reasons for his negative cease to
exist you might as well try to push
over one of the East river bridge tow.
ers as to move him. 1t will not do tc
count upon his forgiveness"
well, then let us go and get mar
ried anyway"
"Now, Chester, do you think that
would be wise? You have your way
to make in the world, and in youl
present position would only be %injuri
ously hampered by a wife"
lie has told you, l presume, the
meager limit of my resources?" asked
the young man, flushing and speaking
in a tone of bitterness.
"Well, yes, he did, and of course
when you come to think soberly about
it, you must recognize that it would
be preposterous for you to get mar
ried on any such amount"
"The struggle for fortune. would be
easy with you by my side. Your love
would be a constant inspiration to me
a talisman to command success
THAT is not a practical way of look,
ing ut it. My love, Chester, dear, ma
inspire you quite as much and still not
trammel you if for the present we re
main as we are. Let my father pay my
bills, as he is well able and content tc
do, until you shall have achieved such
success as will command his respect
and win his consent. Then / will be
your wife, but do not ask me to do sc
now"
Long, but vainly, he argued with
her. She could not pe moved from that
position, which was the outcome oil
her deliberate judgment, arrived at the
night before. The fathers under.
standing of her had been better than
the lovers.
n
At the elevated railroad station to
which Chester Sawall oscanded that