Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1902-09-11

must sayr'
1.-THE sooner you and I have a plain
talk the better for both of us. 1t can't
be put off any longer" CASTOR continued
with self control. He was looking the
general straight in the eye now, with
head and broad shoulders erect and his
square-cut jaws were swapping his words
with a clean emphasis that was not lost
on the older master of men before him.
Call at my office In the morning at 10
O'clock" he said at length.
81 will not do ii. I am going home on
the o'clock train. Tomorrow is Christ
mas day. The issue between us is of life
import to me. and it may be of equal i'm
portance to you. L will not put 1t off an
other hour''
The general glared at him. His hands
began to tremble, and raising his voice.
he Numbered:
IT am not accustomed to take orders
from young upstairs! How dare you at
tempt 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 well known to you as to me, gives
me. at least, the vested rights of final
interview. / demand it," retorted CASTOR
curtly.
And I refuse itT' Still there was a
note of indecision in his voice which Gas
ton was quick to catch.
General" he protested, ''you are
soldier and a 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. 1 am entitled to
know why I fight and against whom. 1
ask your sense of fairness as a soldier if
I am not right?"
THE general hesitated and finaIIv said
as he opened the door:
walk into the porlor."
When they were seated, CASTOR plunged
Immediately into the question he had at
heart.
Now, general, wish to ask you plain
ly why you have treated me as you have
since, asked you for your daughters
hand?"
1.-The less said about it, the better 1
have good and sufficient reasons, and
that settles it."
But I have the right to know them"
what right?'
THE right of, every man to face his
accuser when on trial for his life"
Bah! men cont 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"
"Obigations?" 1875
Inc ODA6e11AOAS VI tie COAlLAOACSN JUS
tice between man and man. You invited
me to your home. 1 was your welcome
guest You encouraged my suit for your
daughters hand"
How dare you say such thing sir!
Because she told me you did. was
led to believe that you not only looked
with favor on my suit, but lat you were
pleased with 1t. 1 asked for your daugh-
ter. You insulted my manhood by re-
fusing me permission even to seek an in
terview, and know the reason 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.
simply this. received information
concerning YOU your habits, your asso-
ciates your character. and your family,
that caused me to change my mind"
did you inquire as to their TRUTH"
1T was unnecessary 1 love my daugh-
ter beyond all other treasures I possess.
With her future I will take no risks"
II have the right to know the charges,
general" insisted CASTOR. II demand it,"
well. sir, If you demand it, you will
get 1t. l learned that you are a man
of the most dissolute habits and charac-
ter, that you are ar drinker, gam
bier, a rake and a spendthrift, and that
your family's history is a deplorable one. :"
MY family history is a deplorable
one' cried CASTOR, springing to his feet,
with trembling clinched fists and scarlet
face on which the blue veins suddenly
stood out.
Il begged you to spare me and your
self the pain of this replied the general
in softer voice.
mo, 1 do not ask to be spared. Give
me the particulars. What is the stain on
my family manner"
mot a moral one, but in some respects
more hopeless, a physical one. 1 have pos
tive information that your people on one
side are what is known in the south as
poor white trash
CASTOR smiled. IT thank you, general,
for your frankness. The only wrong of
which complain, is your withholding the
name of the liar"
There is no use of a fight over such
things. / do not wish my daughters
name to be smirched with it,
Her name is as dear to me as IL can
possibly be to you. Never fear. You are
her father. l honor you as such. I thank
you for the information. I scorn to stoop
to answer. The humor of 1T forbids an
answer IL I could stoop to make one.
Now. general, I make you this PROPOSE
ton. l am not in hurry. will patient
~ wait any time you see fit to set for
any developments in my life and charac-
ter about which you have doubts. All
ask is the privilege of writing to the
woman I love. Is not this reasonable?"
mo, SIR" declared the general. II will
mot have ii. You are not in a position to
make me a proposition of any sort.
have settled this affair. 1t is not open
for discussion"
You mean to say that have no stand
ing whatever in the case?" asked CASTOR
with smile, rubbing his hands over his
smooth shaved lips and chin.
Exactly. I've settled it. There's moth
ing more to be said"
'Ill never give her up. She is the one
woman God made for me, and you will
have to put me under the ground before
you have settled my end of it," said Gas
ton still smiling.
The old mans face clouded for a mo-
ment, he wrinkled his brow, drew his
bushy eyebrows closer and then turned
toward CASTOR in a persuasive way.
Look here CASTOR. don't be a fool It's
amusing to me to hear a youngster talk
such drivel Love is not a fatal disease
for man or a woman. You will find
that out later if you don't know it now.
loved a half dozen girls, and when
got ready to marry, 1 asked the one hand
lest, and that seemed most suited to my
temper. We married and have lived as
happily as the romancers. The world is
full Of pretty girls. Go on about your
business. and quit bothering me and
mine"
There's only one girl for me. general"
That's proof positive to my mind that
lfttla he