The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1902-03-23

81 am not accustomed to take orders
from young upstairs! How dare you
attempt to force yourself into my house
when you were told again and again not
! to attempt it, sir?"
Your former welcome to me on three
occasions when the object of my visits
was as we'll known to you as to me,
gives me, at least, the vested rights of
| final interview. l demand it, retorted
CASTOR, CURLY.
And l refuse it" Still there was a
note of indecision in his voice which
, CASTOR was quick to catch.
General" he protested, you are a
soldier and q gentleman. You never
fought an enemy with uncivilized war
| fare. Yet you have allowed some one
under your protection to stab me in the
dark for the past year. / am entitled to
know why 1 fight and against whom. 1
ask your sense of fairness as a soldier
| if l 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, / wish to ask you
plainly why you have treated me as you
have since 1 asked you for your daugh-
ter's hand?"
"The less said about it the better 1
have good and sufficient reasons, and
! that settles it."
But 1 have the right to know them"
What right, sir?"
"The right of every man to face his
: accuser when on trial for his life"
bah! men don't die nowadays for
love, or women either" the general
growled.
Besides" continued CASTOR, "you are
under the deepest obligations to tell me
fairly your reasons"
"Obligations?'
THE obligations of the commonest
justice between man and man. You in
vited me to your home. 1 was your well
come guest. You encouraged my suit for
your daughters hand"
How dare you say such a thing. sirn'
Because she told me you did l 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 permission 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, some
thing of tremendous Importance" said
the general.
Il am entitled to know what it is"
Simply this. l received information
concerning you, your habits, your asso-
ciate, your character, that caused me to
change my mind
Did you inquire as to their truth?"
ut was unnecessary. had with this
information sufficient proofs for my pur-
poses. 1 love my daughter beyond all
other treasures possess. With her
future l will take no risks"
GIVE me the charges"
What is the use? It will only pain
and humiliate you needlessIy. / am only
determined to protect my daughter
Il have the right to know the charges,
general" insisted CASTOR. Il demand it.
I've got used to pain"
well, sir, if you demand it, you will
get it. 1 learned that you are a man
of the most dissolute habits and charac-
ter, that you are a hard drinker
gambler, a rake and a spendthrift."
CASTOR smiled contemptuously
II thank you for the information. I
scorn to stoop to answer it, Now, gen.
eral, l make you this proposition. l am
not in a hurry. / will patiently wait any
time you see fit to set. for any develop
ments in my life and character about
which you have doubts. All / ask is the
privilege of writing to the woman l love.
Is not this reasonable?'
"No, sir" declared the general. 81 will
not have it,"
Can even a father decide the destiny
of two immortal souls off hand like
that?"
Now, young man, you are assuming
too much. 1 am not speaking for myself
alone. 1 have laid all the facts carefully
before Sallie, and she has agreed to the
wisdom of my decision, and asked me to
represent her in what l say this even
ing"
CASTOR turned pale, his lips quivered.
and turning to the general suddenly. he
said
That is the only important fact you
have laid before me. Just tell her to
come here, stand by your side and say
that with her own lips, and I will never
cross your path in life again.
The general hung his head and STAN
mered, mo it is not necessary 1t will
embarrass and humiliate her. l will not
permit it,"
General" 1 appeal to your sense of
courtesy, even to an enemy After all
that has passed between us in this house,
is it fair or courteous to show me that
door without one word of farewell to the
woman to whom l have given my life? Or
is it wise from your point of vew?"
Again the general hesitated. He
fumbled at his watch chain, arose and
said:
Il will see If she desires it,
Gaston's heart bounded with joy. He
fairly choked with the pain and the joy
of the certainty that in moment he
would hear her, touch her hand see her
glorious beauty and his ears drink the
music of her voice.
Just step this way" said the general,
re-appearing at the door,
CASTOR walked into the hall and met
Sallie as she emerged from the library
door opposite. He tried to say something,
but his throat was dry and his tongue
paralyZed with the wonder of her pres
ence! Besides, the general stood grimly
h.