The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1901-10-23

much more discouraging. He felt his
heart sink.
"See here" said the capitalist. in his
most incisive tones. He drew 4 book
from a drawer and opened it and
dipped q pen in ink. "See here, Will
give you my check or $4,000 and
you will go abroad for two years.
He looked George squarely in the
eyes as he spoke. The young fellows
face flushed hotly. He felt his eyes
grow moist. When he was boy and
fought his schoolyard battles he al
ways cried when he was the angriest.
"N-no, sir" he stanmered; Il
wouldn't sell Helen's love for twice
your wealth.
You're fool" said the old man,
drily, and put away the book.
"Im not knave," said poor George.
II have a suspicion" growled this
terrible father, that for mere nov
ice you think you are playing your
cards very WELL"
Before George could make hot re-
ply to this insinuation there was low
rap at the door and the attendant put
in his head.
"The committee Of mining gentle
men you were to meet at $50 is wait
ing, sir"
"Tell them it will be impossible for
me to meet them this afternoon,
growled the old man. II have busi-
ness on hand of more Importance"
He turned back to George.
Il have prolonged this painful in.
terview," he slowly said, because I
have something more to say to you,
something of serious import"
George met his gaze firmly. He felt
that another disagreeable thrust was
coming.
well, sir" he said, and he held his
head high as he said it. He was pre-
pared to face any new attack the old
man could make. His fighting blood
was up.
Il want you to know that your at
tentions to my daughter have not
passed unnoticed," said the old man
slowly. "The fact is, have had you
watched for some time"
"Had-me-watched:" repeated
George vaguely. The enormity Of it
came to him slowly. "Had-ne-
watched"
YES" said the old man, dryly. ave
rich men with daughters can't take
any chances. Of course you see this
puts a different light on the whole
matter" His glance never wavered
from Georges face.
Il see nothing of the Sort" cried
George fiercely. "If your spy Is an
honest man-if spy can be a honest
man-he has told you nothing to my
discredit. may be poor, but I'm hon.
est, and I'm decent, and, what's more,
I-will-not-g -give-Helen-up."
He turned quickly as he spoke the
last word and started for the door.
Come back herew roared the old
man. I've got a last word to say
to YOU"
George hesitated. This was Helen's
father. He slowly turned and stepped
back to the desk. The old man ran
his eye up and down the manly young
figure.
"All I want to say is that Helen and
/ went over this whole matter at the
breakfast table, and, as 1 have never
refused her anything she wanted-no
matter how unreasonable the want
might be-" and he smiled grimly, "I
didn't feel like making an exception
of you"
The griuness of his smile faded, his
eyes grew Eoist, and he put out his
hand.
We will make her happy together"
he softly said. There, there! Not
word, know just what Pm giving
you. You may go now. Step out in
the other Office and write your resig-
nation for the bank and post it at
once. Be back here for me in exact
ly an hour. I want you TO dine with
us-my SON."
And he family smiled as he bent
again over his papers.-IN. r. Rose, in
Cleveland Plain Dealer.