The St. Louis Republic. [volume] (St. Louis, Mo.) 1888-1919, 1902-05-18

| Bob walked with him to the outskirts
of the city, begging in vain that he should
turn back, but he never Stacked his pace.
When he turned to go home, Bob pressed
his hand and said, Good luck! And may
your shadow never grow less. You're q
game chicken"
CASTOR pressed his hand and walked
rapidly on toward lakewood. AS he passed
through the deep shadows of the Erest
near the gate. a food of tender memories
rushed over him.
He paused a moment and wiped the per.
SEPARATION from his brow. 1t was Christ-
mas eve, but the air was balmy and spring.
like and his rapid walk had tired him. He
had eaten nothing all day. had slept only
a few hours the night before, and the nerve
strain had beer more than he knew.
He recognized the breach Of the finer
amenities of life involved in forcing his
way into a home under such conditions,
and it Inundated him for a moment.
I'VE viii not sickle for forms now,s
he said 10 himself firmly. This is war.
I am 10 uncover the batteries OF my enemy,
l have hesitated long enough. ] will not
tight in the dark another day"
As he stepped briskiy up 10 the door,
he started at u sudden thought. What if
the General had ordered the servants to
slam the door in his face! TIL possibility
of such an unforeseen insult made the cold
sweat break out over his face as he rang
the bell. No matter. he was in for it now
he would face all hell if need be-
He waited but an instant, and heard the
heavy tread of a man approach the door.
Instinctively he knew that the General him.
self was on guard, and would open the door.
Evidently he had expected him.
The door opened but a few feet and the
General glared at him livid with rage. He
held one hand ON the door and the other
on its facing, and his towering figure filled
the space.
Good evening. General" said CASTOR
with embarrassment.
What do you want. sir?" he growled,
u wish 10 see you for , few minutes"
We'll, l don't want to see you"
whether you wish to or not. you must
do it sooner or later" answered CASTOR
with dignity.
Indeed! Your insolence is sublime, 7
must say!'
"Can at my office in the morning at 10
o'clock" he said, at length.
Il will not do it. l am going home on
the 9 o'clock train. Tomorrow is Christi
mas day. The issue between us is of life
import to me. and 1t may be of equal Inn
p%ortance to you. 1 will not put it off an-
other hour
The General glared at him. His hands bes
gan to tremble, and raising his voice. he
Numbered,
Il am not accustomed 10 take orders
from young upstartsi How dare you at
tempt TO force yourself into my house when
you We're told again and again not to at
tempt it. sir?"
sYour former welcome to me on three oc-
casions when the object of my visits was as
well known to you as 10 me, gives me, at
least, the vested rights OF a final inter-
view. / demand it.. retorted CASTOR curt-
ly.
"And I refuse it, Still there was a note
of indecision in his voice which CASTOR
was quick 20 catch.
General" he protested. ''you are q
soldier and a gentleman. You never fought
an enemy with uncivilized warfare. Yet
you have allowed some one under your pro-
lection 10 stab me in the dark for the past
year. l am entitled TO know why l fight and
against whom. i ask your sense of fairness
as a soldier if 1 Am not right?"
The General hesitated, and finally said,
as he opened the door:
Walk into the parlor, SIR
When they Were seated, CASTOR plunged
Immediately into the question he had at
heart.
Now. General, I wish TO ask you plainly
why you have treated me as you have since
l asked you Tor your daughters handys
The less said about 1t. the better. I
have good and sufficient reasons. and that
settles it."
But 1 have the right 10 know them-s
What right, sirT'
The right of every man to face his 40
cuse. when on trial Tor his NE
BAH! men don't die nowadays for love.
or women either" the General growled.
Besides" continued CASTOR, you are un-
der the deepest obligations to tell me fairs
ly your reasons"
obligations"
1.-THE obligations of the commonest justice
between man and man. You invited me
to your home. 1 was your welcome guest
You encouraged ms suit for your daugh-
ter's hand"
How dare you say such a thing, sirf'
Because she told me you did. was led
to believe that you not only looked with
favor on my suit. but that you were pleased
with it. / asked for your daughter. You
insulted my manhood by refusing me per-
mission even to seek an interview, and
know the reasons for your change OF
views. Since then you have treated me
with plain brutality. Now something caused
this change" +
Certainly something caused it. something
of tremendous Importance" said the Gem
eral.
T am entitled to know what it is
Simply this. l received Information cons
corning your habits. your associates. your
character and your family, that caused me-
to change my mind"
I92. by Doubleday. Page & Co.
To be continued next Sunday