The White Pine news. [volume] (Treasure City, Nev.) 1868-1906, 1902-01-09

CHAPTER XVII.


manned, the one as a practieing lawyer
and junior partner Of the firm, and the
other as a student still, for he had not
yet dared to offer himself for examina-
tion. Study was something which Henry
particularly dislikea; and as his mother
had trained him with the idea that labor
for aim was wholly unnecessary, he had
never bestowed a thought on the future,
or made an exertion of any kind. Now
however, a different phase Of affairs was
appearing. His fathers fortune was
threatened with ruin; and he sat in the
Office with his heels upon the window SILL
debating the all-important question
whether II were better to marry Ella
Campbell for the money which would
save him from poverty, or to rouse MN
self TO action for the sake Of Mary How
ard. whom he really fancied he loved
Frequently since the party had he met
her. each time becoming more and, more
convinced of her superiority over the 9TH
er young ladies Of her acquaintance lie
was undoubtedly greatly assisted in this
decision by the manner with which she
was received by the fashionables 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 wheth-
err to tell her so or not.
At last breaking the silence, he exelaim-
ed: Hang me, if | don't believe she's be-
witched me, or else I'm in love. Bender;
how does chap feel when he's in lover
Every foolish, judging from yourself"
returned William. and Henry replied:
Il hope you mean nothing personal, for
Tn bound to ayenge my honor, and
'twould be deuced scrape for you and
me to fight about your sister, as you call
her, for it's she who has inspired me, or
made fool of me, one or the other"
you've changed your mind. haven't
you?" asked William, little sareastical-
ly.
Hanged If hayep' said Henry. 81
was interested in her years ago, when
she was the ugliest little vixen a man
ever looked upon, and that's why | leased
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
If you think I'd better marry her"
With a naughty frown William replied:
'You have my permission, sir, to propose
as soon as you please. | rather wish you
would" then taking his hat he left the
office, while Henry continued his solilo-
guy as follows:
Il wonder what the old folks would
say to a penniless bride. Wouldn't moth
err and Rose raise a row? I'd soon quiet
the old woman, though, by threatening to
tell that she was once factory girl. But
IL dad smashes up I'll have to work, for
/ haven't brains enough to earn my living
by wit. | guess on the whole I'll go and
call on Ella; she's handsome, and besides
that has the rhino, too; but how shallowW
and the young man broke the blade of his
knife as he stuck 1t into the hardwood
table by way of emphasizing his last
words.
Ella CHANGED to be out, and as Henry
was returning he overlook Ida Selden
and Mary Howard, who were taking
their accustomed walk. Since her CONVEX
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 to-
ward him that morning was so kind and
affable that 1t completely upset him; and
when he parted with her at Mr.. Selden's
gate his mind was quite made up to
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 wrote
to Mary on paper what he 9Duld not
| fan har 10 ID
lingering doubt of her acceptance, he
would undoubtedly have wasted at least
g dozen sheets Of the tiny gilt-edged pa
per, but as II was one would suffice, for
she would not serutinze his handwriting
she would not count the blots, or mark
the omission of punctuating panses. An
ardent declaration of love was written.
sealed and directed.
Restless and unquiet, he sat down TO
await his answer. 1t came at last-his
rejection, yet couehed in language so kind
and conciliatory that he could not feel
angry. Twice-three times-he read II
over, hoping to find some ntimation that
possibly she might relent; but no, it was
firm apd decided, and while she thanked
him for the honor he conferred upon her
she respectfully declined accepting it. as
surfing him that his secret should be kept
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
yietion came over him that she woul,
never be his, he laid his head upon tn,
table and Yept such tears as a spoil
child might weep when refused a toy to,
costly and delicate to be trusted in it,
rude grasp.
Ere long there was a 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 thai
he had feared. But he did not reproacl
his hayward son. nor hint that his reck
less extravaganza had FASTENED the ca
lamity which otherwise might have bccI
avoided. Calmly he stated the extent t
which they were involved. adding tina
though an entire failure might be pre-
vented a short time It 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 achini
temples, where the gray hairs had thick
ened within a few short weeks. 70
my self | do not care, but for my VIII,
AMI rhildren-for Rose, and that sh
must miss her accustomed comforts. i
the kccnest pang of ALL"
All this time Henry had not spoken, bu
thought was busily at work. He coul,
not bestir himself; he had no energy To-
| that now. but he could marry Ella Camn
bell, whose wealth would keep him II
the position he now occupied, besides
supplying many Of Roses wants.