The Savannah morning news. (Savannah, Ga.) 1900-current, 1904-06-19

"Chug-a-chug' it came down the
long main street. with an ever thick
ening cloud of dust. All Circleville
heard the noise and saw the dust. In
pleased anticipation it paused to look.
The Honorable David Barclay, BAN
ker, was the towns leading citizen,
and in his new automobile, of the most
approved red devil type, his import
ance was vastly augmented.
From out the cloud of dust appeared
the swiftly moving machine. equipped
with all the latest fixtures, including
a begoggled, leather-capped chauffeur.
Mr.. Barclay had passed the acute
stage of automobiling. and his cos
tune was In keeping with his dignity
as Leading Citizen. In golden June
he wore a top hat and black frock
coat precisely as he wore them in the
winter months.
In front of the Circleville National
Bank, of which Mr.. Barclay was pres
ident, the machine drew up at the
euro with as near an approach TO a
flourish as an insensate bite of ma
chinery can accomplish. An active
young man, shrewd of eye and clean
cut of visage, sprang lightly up the
stone steps and followed the Leading
Citizen through the bank proper into
the private Office. The banker had
barely seated himself at his tlat-topped
oak desk when the young man closed
the door. Good morning, MIR. Bar
clay" he said respectfully removing
his hat.
Morning. r.-ah-Carruth-
ers." There was an exaggerated hesi-
fancy before the pronunciation of the
name, though Mr.. Barclay knew the
title as well as he did his own.
You probably have an idea what
I've come for" The young man was
still standing; he had received no in
vitation TO be seated. Il want to
marry Miss Ethel, sir. And she-I
think she cares for me as much as !
care for her."
The banker leaned back in his chair.
He placed an elbow on each arm of
it and fitted his finger-tips carefully
together. There was a smile of quizzi-
cal amusement on his face.
Nonsense, Carruthers, nonsense!
You should know the absurdity Of
such request. You couldn't support
her, sir"
Il think 1 could"
We supported ner Tor twenty
years. so / may be pardoned if seem
positive on the subject. What salary
do you get?"
Thirty dollars a week, sir" said
the young man eagerly, but Mr.. Gid
dlngs has promised me forty"
"Supposing he gave you fifty" the
banker interrupted, waving the rest
of Carruther's sentence away, "do
you imagine that would do it? Why,
she pays more than that for her
gloves and bOnnets and, ah-shoes!"
Il don't doubt il. Mr.. Barclay, in
the least. But she's willing to try"
You're wasting time" The banker
brought a plump. well-kept hand
down decisively on the desk. ITS
useless to carry the conversation fur
ther. l absolutely refuse to give my
consent to the marriage"
The young mans eyes lighted
stormily, but he still spoke respect
fully, almost gently. Then / am in
honor bound to tell you. Mr.. Barclay.
that We will marry without it,
The banker sat up. Providing you
get the opportunity" he amended.
please keep away from my house for
the next few days, Mr.. Carruthers.
After next Thursday, though. it won't
matter. Ethel leaves that day with
her mother and me for Europe. Good
morning"
Carruthers took a long breath when
he stood again on the stone steps.