The suburban citizen., 1901-10-26

about to ask of you Il very great fav-
or" His throat was dry and his voice
sounded quite unnatural to his sensi.
tive ears.
rs this the business that concerns
us both inquired the old man, dryly.
eyes, sir" said George, stoutly; ut
concerns us both very, very deeply"
His face flushed and his voice grew
stronger. "NIr. Stark, 1 have come to
ask you to give mc Helen"
The old mans eyes were on the card
that he stlll held in his long fingers,
He slowly doubled and crushed it.
When he spoke his voice was low and
| harsh.
How long has this been going on"-
ne asked
Il have known Helen" replied
George. "for some six months, but
did not know that she loved me until
last night
You are quite sure she-she loves
you"
quite sure, sir. She told me to tell
you So"
The old man looked up. There was
an ominous frown ON his pallid face.
what are you" he snapped.
Paying teller in the Sixth Nation
al"
What salary?"
Sixteen hundred"
The old man laughed harshly.
And on that you would marry a
girl brought up to enjoy every luxury
that wealth could give her?'
Yes, sir" said George, simply, 'if
she were willing"
The old mans scowl deepcned. The
lines about his thin lips tightened.
George had expected n sudden flash Of
anger. This Ominous silence seemed
much more discouraging. He felt his
heart sink.
"See here said the capitalist, in his
most inclslye tones. He drew book
from a drawer and opened 1t and
dipped a pen in ink. "See here, will
give you my check for $4,000 and
you viii so 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 a boy and
fought his schoolyard battles he al
ways cried when he was the angrlest
Mo, sirw he stammered; Il
wouldn't sell Helen's love for twice
your wealth.
You're a fool said the old man,
drily and put away the book.
I'm not knaye" said poor George
81 have n suspicion" growled this
terrible father, "that for mere nov
ice you think you are playing your
cards very we'll"
Before George could make hot re-
ply to this inslnuation there was a 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. Il have busl-
ness Oh hand Of more Importance"
He turned back to George.
Il have prolonged this painful in
terview," he slowly said, because l
have something more to say to you,
something of serious import"
George met his gaze firmly. he felt
that another disagrceable thrust was
coming.
We'll, 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-watchedT repeated
George vaguely. The euormity Of it
came to him slowly. "Had-me-
watched;"
yes said the old man, dryly. 1--WE
rich men with daughters can't take
any chances. OF course you see this
puts different light on the whole
matter" His glance never wayered
from Georges face.
81 see nothing of the sort" cried
George tiercely. If your SPY is an
honest man--if a spy can be honest
man-he has told you nothing to my
discredit. l may be poor, but I'm hon
est, and I'm decent, and, what's more,
l-wlll-nOt-giye-Helen-up."
He turned quickly as he spoke the
last word and started for the door.
Come back herew roared the old
man. 1--WE got a last word to say
to you"
George hesitated. This was Helens
father. He slowly turned and stepped
back to the desk. The old man ran
his eye up and down the manly young
figure.
"All l 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 gTimly, Il
didn't feel like mayinr nm eycnntfon