The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1903-12-17

why, Of course" assented Sir
Arthur. '1 believe we killed our fatted
calf in proper fashion. 1t will be the
happiest Christmas Denecroft has seen
for many a year."
Stella sighed blissfully. YES" she
said, 81 am very happy girl"
The baronet grunted an assent in
preoccupied man-fashion, and opened
another letter. Stella wriggled lit
tie nearer, seating herself on the arm
of his chair.
well, what is it," asked her BROTH
er, leaning back with an air Of resig-
nation. Let me know the worst, and
get it over"
"Oh, it's nothing alarming,' CUR
gled Stella-"at least I hope not. Are
you in a very good humor this morn
ing, Arthur?'
Il was," he answered gravely, but
the most patient man has his limits,
you know"
Stella-the dignified little Stella
fairly giggled-there is no other name
for the sound Of suppressed delight
and merriment which rippled from her
lips-and Immediately went off on
another tangent.
Don't you think it very nice that
Richard and Mr.. Kane seemed to like
each other so much last night?''
why, yes-since we are all neigh
bors I should say it was most fortu-
nate. Perhaps we ought to feel de-
lighted that Mr.. Kane likes us so
well-eh?" and he pinched the girls
cheek mischievously, while a quizzicai
smile twisted the corner of his mouth.
DO you really like him." she muir
INJURED, hiding her face on her brothers
shoulder.
"Who-Rick?" Sir Arthur perverse-
ly inquired.
mo, you old stupid-Mr. Kane!'
she replied, giving him an admonitory
shake.
Certainly. He impresses me as a
fine fellow; man Of action and af-
fairs; a man of head and Of heart In
point Of birth and breeding, suppose,
we must concede something, but in
these democratic days the new men
are coming to the front and must be
reckoned with politically and social
ly."
During this didactic speech, delivered
in Sir Arthur's most deliberate man
ner, Stella slid off the chair-arm and
edged towards the door.
II am SO glad you feel that way"
she said as she turned the handle; and
then, nodding saucily at her brother,
"he is coming to see you this morn
ingi" and with whisk Of drapery she
was gone.
Sir Arthur preserved his gravity for
a moment, and then, with his favorite
chuckle, said half-aloud-
Another addition to the family,
Supposed
1t is not always an easy thing to ask
father for his only daughter in mar
rage; but when the guardian of the
girl happens to be her brother, and
rather younger than the sutton himself,
the task Of the latter Is not whit less
embarrassing.
But Kane found the baronet disposed
to meet him half way-perhaps be-
cause Of his general liking for the
man. So when, after the usual salu-
tat1ons and Inquiries, he came to the
point simply and directly with
LAS the head of your family, Sir Ar
thur, am come to ask your sanction
to your sisters engagement to me-" the
baronet smiled and said:
Eyes, received hint to that effect
this morning, coupled with command
that I was not to go out Well, Mr..
Kane, what has the culprit to say for
himself? You know it's a pretty Sc
rious matter to rob a brother Of his
only sister, particularly when that
brother is bachelor!"
THE only eXtenuation l can plead.
Sir Arthur, is that the lady will be
making another poor bachelor the hap
piest man on EARTH
"Oh, II you put 1t in that way"
laughed the barone$, Il can have moth
ing to say, except that I do not know
anyone to whom I would sooner trust
Stella's happiness" And so saying he
offered his hand
1.-THE lawyers can attend to the set
Elements, I suppose" he continued,
"and from what have seen and heard
OF your resources, Mr.. Kane, I opine
there is little danger of your wife ever
coming to want
They both laughed at the Jest, and at
this opportune moment Richard
strolled in.
Here, Rick" exclaimed Sir Arthur,
'you are just in time to be introduced
to your future brother-in-law. Shake
hands and congratulate each other"
AS Rick came forward his manner
was most cordial. The mornings rec
objections Of the night before had ap-
parently left no unpleasant taste, and
he took Kane in all seriousness and
sincerity for what he had appeared to
be. :
"See what comes of my leaving
home" he said ruefully. Il find the
family running at loose ends when q