Omaha daily bee., 1902-09-07

concession to the mother. Had she known
that her father had entered Diablo In the
Brooklyn handicap she might even have
refused to part with the horse. AZ II hap
pened, Porter had entered both Lueretia
and Diablo In the Brooklyn a day or SO
before his accident, but had not spoken
Of Il.
Crane assured Mrs. Porter that she need
not distract her mind over money matters,
the bank could easily carry their load until
her husband was himself again. No matter
how things turned Quit was a delicate
matter to touch upon. the possibility OK
Porter's condition taking q serious turn
but coming from Crane. Il seemed lik an
earnest Of his sincerity-vell, Mrs. Porter
would find a friend in him quite willing and
able to smooth their dihicult path.
Crane had meant to defer any protestaton
Of regard for Allis until a propitious future,
but with his quick perception he saw that
the psychological moment had been moved
forward by the sudden placement OF the
master Of Ringwood. II he spoke now to
Mrs. Porter. It would give her a right to
call upon his services. He would seem to
exist In the light OF a debtor; It would
break down the barriers which might seem
to exist because Of their nonrelationship.
Crane had not been without a suspicion
that the younger man. Mortimer, might
prove a rival; heroios such as the Diablo
episode were apt to give young people q
romantic interest in each other. Fate had
more than evened matters up by giving him
the present opportunity. He thought with
some satisfaction how perfectly helpless
Mortimer was in the present instance, for
he was most undeniably poor. 1t was an
opportunity to be grasped. and Crane never
let the tide pass it's food in the waters Of
his life.
So the banker spoke to Mrs. Porter OF his
strong love for Allis; so deliberately. and
with so much sincerity, that she was COM
pletely won over. It is true, the ground
had been prepared for the seed, for the
mother mad long feared that Allis might
become attached to some one Of Porter's
racing associates. Though strong in
spiritual matters. the good woman was not
without worldly instinct. She was pleased
with Crane personally; he was not by any
means a racing man; a rich banker would
make a most desirable husband for her
daughter. OF course, It would rest with
the girl herself-Mrs. Porter would not
coerce nor influence her; but why should
not Allis come to care for Crane under the
influence OF his strong love?
Mrs. Porter's mind had rebounded from
its dazed condition after her husbands
accident and was now acute. All these
thoughts came to her with rapidity, as
Crane talked with mastery judgment.
To the mothers suggestion that he speak
to Allis he put forward a plea of delicate
consideration for the girl; he would rather
deny himself; he would wait patiently until
her mind was in a happier condition.
C~leverly enough, he knew that Mrs. Porter
was now his ally and would plead his cause
with less chance of failure than II he
GfortIaA AIIg. - - ii.
life's great problem.
When Crane had gone Allis found her
mother Gained by his visit; his assurances
had driven away distressing clcuas CO a5sa-
cial worry.
Almost Immediately Mrs. Porter trans
mitted to the girl what had come to her
OF Cranes declaration.
1T seems almost like an answer to my
prayers" she said to Allis; mot, Of course
she interrupted herself-"that I've been
praying for a husband for you, but this
wicked racing has warped the whole wool
OF my life; it seemed inevitable In the
strength of its communicating atmosphere
that you would be welded into it-though
one were better dead than willingly choose
a path Of sim"
Then you've settled It. motherl" AIlIs'
big eyes took on a dangerous look of
rebellion.
mo, daughter. you must choose for your
self; only you will be wise not to 90 con-
trary to your parents wishes. / did"
But you are not sorry, mother" there
was reproach in the girls voice.
Not for having welded your father, but
because of his racing life. I should have
been hrmer and asked him 10 give It up
before / married him-he might have done
1t then. Mr.. Crane is a gentleman, Allis-
that is a great deal nowadays, and he loves
you most sincerely. Words often mean
very little, but one can tell--at least when
they've come to years of discretion they can
from a mans voice whether he is in
earnest or not. I suppose II is very worldly
to speak Of his riches, but in poverty one
can do very little. very little good. I had
rather that you didn't have to look with
misgiving into the future, Allis; IL has
taken much Joy out Of my existence. The
dread of poverty is a nightmare-it wears
ones life threadbare. To the young,
bouyed up by confidence in the rosy flu
ture, this may seem sordid, but this feeling
of insecurity mars many lives which might
otherwise be happy.
You see, Allis," her mother continued.
II know you are heart whole, so can't
cause you any misery by my well-meant
advice. You've been a good girl, and there
has been nobody OF your class about. Mr..
Mortimer is, ! dare say. a gentleman, and
/ must confess that I was afraid that you
might mistake a feeling OF generosity to
him for something stronger; but that was
only an idle fancy, I see. It would have
been unfortunate II is were otherwise, for
he is very poor. indeed. His mall salary
must be all taken up In keeping himself.
his widowed mother and a younger sister"
Allis gave a sudden start. She had not
known these particulars Of Mortimer's life;
but they carried certain explanations OF his
conduct. Quite casually she had formed
an impression that he was penurious: some
thing he had dropped about NOT being able
to AFFORD certain pleasures. That was where
the money went-to support his mother ana
sister.
Unwittlngly her mother was pleading his
cause.
The mothers talk depressed Allis greatly.
Why should this troublesome matter come
to her now when she had so much to bear.
so much to do? 1t gave her quite a shock
TO hnd that as her mother talked, she wa
not thinking OF Crane at all-she could not
picture his face even-just the narrow
lidded eyes peeped at her thoughts once