Condon globe. (Condon, Gilliam Co., Or.) 189?-1919, 1901-07-18
CHAPTER xvit.

eHlre OF MF, NufinlUktuns WHtFf tbehis
Lincoln aud William bender still re.
malned. the one as q pracflcing lawyer
and junior partner OF the firm, and tht
other as a student still. for he had not
yet dared 20 offer himself for ezamina-
tion, Study was something which Henry
rartlcnlarly disllked: and as his mother
had trained him with the idea that labor
for him was wholly unnecessary, he had
never bestowed n thought on the future,
or made an exerlion of any kind, Now,
however. n different phase Of affairs was
appearing, His fathers fortune was
threatened with rnln; and he sat In the
office with isheels upon the window sill,
debating the all-important question
whether II wero better TO marry ella
Campbell for the money which would
save him from poverty. or 20 rouse him
self 10 action for the sake of Mary How
ard. whom he really fancied he loved.
Frequently since, the party had he mel
her. each time becoming more aud more
convinced OF her superiority over the 9th
or young ladies' OF her acquaintance. He
was undoubtedly greatly assisted In this
decision by the manner with which ehe
was received ~ the fashionahlcs OF Bos'
ton; but. aside from that. as far as he
was capable OF doing so. he liked her
and was now making up his mind wheta'
or to tell her so or not
Al last breaking the silence. no exclalm'
ed: Hang me. II don't believe she's be-
wltched me. or else I'm Ia love. Bender
how does a chap feel when he's Ia lover
Every foolish, Judging from yourself,
returned William. and Henry replied;
II hope you mean nothing personal. for
I'm bound TO Avenge my honor, and
',would be denced scrape for you and
me 10 Hght about 'your sister, as you call
her, FOR 'tis she who has inspired me. oi
made fool OF me. one or the other"
you've changed your mind. haven't
youf" asked William, a little sarcastical
Hanged II have!" said Henry. 81
was interested In her years ago, when
she was the ugliest little vixen man
ever looked upon, and that's why I teascd
her SOL don't believe she's handsome
now. but she's something. and that some
thing has raised the mischief with me
Come. Bender, you are better acquainted
with her than | am, so tell me honestly
II you think I'd better marry her."
With a naughty frown William replied
"You have my permission, sir. TO propos,
NJ soon an you please. rather wish you
would" then taking his hat be left the
ONCE, while Henry continued his solilo
Quy as follows:
II wonder what the old folks would
say TO pennlless bride. Wouldn't moth
er and Rose raise a row? I'd soon quiet
the old woman, though. by threatening tC
tell that she was once factory girl But
II dad smashes up III have to work, fol
haven't brains enough TO earn my liyinl
By wit. guess on the whole Ill 20 and
call on Ella; she's handsome. and besides
that has the rhino. too; but how shallowF
and the young man broke the blade OF his
knife as he stuck II into the hardwood
table by way Of emphasizing, his 1aaal
words.
ella chanced to be out. and as Henry
was returning he overlook Ida Selder
and Mary Howard.l f%ho were taking
their accustomed walk. Since her conyer
sation with William weight seemed
lifted from Mary's spirits, and she now
was happier far than she ever remem
bered OF having been before Mary
could not find II In her heart TO. be. un
courteous to Henry, and her manner 10
ward him that morning was 80 kind anJ
affable that Il completely upset hiM; ant
when he parted with her at Mr., Selden'i
gate his mind was quite made up 4
offer her his heart and hand
II shall have TO work." thought he
"but for her sake I'll do anything"
An hour later he sat down and wrot,
to Mary on paper what he 0Duld no
tell her face to face. Had there beer
a lingering doubt Of her acceptance, HI
would undoubtedly have wasted at ieas
dozen sheets OF the tiny gilt-edged pa
per, but as II was one would suffice, FOL
she would not scrutlnize his handwriting
-she would not count the blots, or mari
the omission OF punctuating pauses. Al
ardent declaration OF love was written
sealed and directed.
Restless and unQniet, he sat down Il
await his answer. II came at last--hii
rejection, yet eouched In language so kin,
and conciliatory that he could not fee
angry. Twice-three times--he read 1
over, hoping to find some intimation tha
possibly she might relent; but no, 1t wal
firm and decided, and while she thanked
him for the honor he conferred upon her
she respectfully declined accepting 1t, as
suring him that his secret should be KEEP
Inyiolate.
There's some comfort in that
thought he, "for wouldn't like to hav,
1t known that have been refused by
poor, unknown girl" and then, as the con
yiction came over him that she woull
never be his, he laid his head upon tn,
table and wept such tears as spoil
child might weep when refused toy to,
costly and delicate to be trusted in 1T
rude grasp.
Ere long there was knock at tn
door and hastily wiping away all trace
Of his emotion, Henry admitted his faith
er, who had come to talk Of their futur
prospects, which were even worse thar
he had feared. But he did not reproacl
his wayward son, nor hint that his reck
less extravaganza had hasteGcd the ca
lamity which otherwise might have beel
avoided. Calmly he stated the extent +
which they were involved, adding tha
though an entire failure might be pre-
vented short time, 1t would come a
& last; and that an honorable payment o
his debts would leave them beggars.
'For myself do not care" said tn
wretched man, pressing hard his aching
temples, where the gray hairs had thick
ened within a few short weeks. "Fo
myself do not care. but for my wifi
and children--for Rose, and that sh
must miss het accustomed comforts, l
the keenest pang Of oil"