The citizen., 1901-03-08
A Queer BIundeT.
BY w. r. Rose.


l1tters on the sign above the entrance to
ne stanch old warehouse but it's radi-
ance was lost on the young man with
keen, gray eyes who stood at the Office
aoor and kesitated before he turned the
Knob. In that brief moment he tried to
recall the directions that Emily Quarles
had given him.
t'Fathcr is peculiar" she had said.
ssYou must know him before you can APP
ureeiate him." And Spencer Grant won
eered how long it would be before this
appreciative stage could be reached. He
kadn't met this peculiar father and here
be was standing on the doormat of his
Mic mastering up courage to go in and
ask him for his daughter.
Nhat else had Emily said? "Do not
oontradct father. Do just what he tells
sou to do. Let him have his own way.
IL he busters and fumes, wait quietly.
he will soon cool down. Fathers gruff
manner is largely assumed. If you have
tact. you will discover the way to handle
lin Tell him truthfully, if you have Il
nance, how we met at Aunt Stanhopc's $
md that as soon as we were quite asSur-
Cd that we were all in all to each other.
uhich. you must add, came to both OF
us as complete surprise, sent you di-
xcty to him. | will prepare him as far
es | think judicious for your coming
Keep up a stout heart and guard your
tenper."
Spencer turned the knob and went in.
Nhere were several clerks writing in the
euter Office but they did not look up as
he passed along the narrow space before
DE high railing to the door marked "Pri-
yate" He knocked at this door, and a
krpil voice badc him come in. Spencer
Mihmcd up all his resolution and entered
A sharp featured old man with heavy
gelroVs was seated at desk with his
bush gray head bent above Il handful of
Dsssrs p .,.,,., - ;. ..,, ..,.,.
Spencer obeyed, and after little the
I'D man raised his head. glanced at the
dock, aud then gave the young man a
bng searching glance. AS he did So he
orew letter toward him and glanced ut
. page Of it. Again he stared at Spen-
Neil,' he said abruptly, you are cx-
Aetlg on time. You We're to be here pre-
csely az 10. This argues well for your
early training. You have made a good
mpl sion on me to start with"
Spencer murmured his pleasure at this
mW able comment, but the old man in
terruptcd him.
~ our father says here that you resem-
ue m. lie writes that the resemblance
$50 strong that | couldn't help but know
who you were if | CHANGED to meet you
anyMAorc. don't agree with him.
u0usl there is Il family resemblance.
lou are much better looking than he
sReg dreamed of being"
DIN my father say that?' inquired
bpencor hastily. He knew the thing was
qmte impossible. Emily's father was
iapolns under some queer delusion. But
he Qldut mean to contradict him.
eN he did," chuckled the old man,
En q grim smile. Fathers with but
sae fhIld are very apt to be asses" Then
ns tone changed. "What can you do?
van you write shorthand? Do you un-
ee'@and typewriting? Can you compose
zen y Ou SDNlIs
thIh6, said Spencer quietly, "that |
san pest answer that by saying that
ea'e pretty thorough business training
,e'at was picked up in four years of prac-
e<'' work I've been hard at it, in fact,
4eE Since left college,"
Pun father doesn't make any such
sa.n' said the old man, referring again
itlter. All he says is Try him.
% We made place for you. | am
es 70 indulge in the luxury of a pli-
.e'e secretary. lla. ha, ha! Here, take
7.e letters. See what answers they
@s answer 'em. That's your little
fr oo'N there. Leave the door open
@9 want to call you"
sePelcer Smilingly took the letters and
trace of hesitation went into
~ &c room assigned him. He found
Plfehlences he needed, and with his
>--, smile deepening he went at his
- Fen'ly he heard the outer door of
TH1., 80 open and shut, and a moment
ks- ns following dialogue came to him
a1e me half closed door:
q you nave Gomez" growled the old
" sir" said mild voice with n lit.
:, 4qayer in it.
,.,''@ 'l said the old man with dan
~. Il I'slhg infection, 81 want to tell
Ut +'t 1t can never be!'
n,-,s you mean that | won't do?" in
s,Lea .u the mild voice.
Just what l mean" snarled
&, man Your comprehension does
" uedit" 1'e'
.5'3 LOW can you tell till you've tried
srr rolested the mild voice.
8b% YOU! roared the old man.
10 you mean by that?'
IVAN, sir" said the mild voice hur-
n5* that | hardly think it's fair to
&s me unheard and untried.
46-1 70 think you would show me
* <o< fohsideration.
YOU were. were you?" snapped
.Iz.iS niah' well. sir you have been
t,e< ,I svu' know my daughter much
"a 81, man you do, STRIP
= astEp Epr daughter, sir?"
e. s..L my daughter! And don't you
& mention her name"
<t Hau no intention of doing so.
<77,r, coming to your senses, are
<3. nat right. She's only a foolish,
ins girl. In a month she'll forget
fslstence."
M A. uon see what your daughter
w with it. She is nothing to me,
"'' IKE sensible youth. thought
lVince you. There, there, let thu
thing drop"
you positively refuse to give me