Mower County transcript., 1904-11-09

wm give up an ra1m 10 n9r ana ugree
never to approach her on an equal foot
Ing again, will liberate your father.
OF course yon understand, I'd want
some sort of petition to comesto me-
only few names Of his neighbors will
edo-but"- <t y. ~ y
"And your objecty' George asked,
looking up. ST. >..-
'Well, that's a private matter" an
swered Telfare, 'but may as we'll ad-
NIT that my object is to marry Miss
Cranston, and, as she evidently is actu-
ated by sort Of pity, admirable in a
woman, for you in your misfortune, I
simply want to remove you from fur
ther contact with her without having
openly to request the step of her or her
parents. God knows I'm not jealous of
you! It is not that. It is only the idea
of our visiting here as social EQUALS"
George. stood up. He had something
to say, and it rang in Telfare's ears
long after the words were spoken. +.
"My father, Telfare," he began, twas
convicted for stealing, and no doubt
Justly, but he was an unlettered, igno-
rant man. He was thief, but you, Tel
fare, are lower than he, for, with your
opportunities for knowing right from
wrong, you degrade your >ofhce-the of
fee given in trust to you by the state
to advance your own personal inter-
ests. You are more objectionable than
my father. AS for my having any
claim on the lady you mention, ! have
none, and it would be dishonorable for
me to trade in commodity don't
possess. But hold on; am not. through.
I want to add that If my ACCEPTING
your proposition meant that I lent the
weight of straw toward making Miss
Cranston your wife, I'd refuse with my
dying breath. could not live know
ing that the purest and noblest woman
God ever made was through an act of
mine living with. a loathsome reptile
like you: II my father stood on the
gallows condemned to- death and I
could save him BY allowing you to
touch Miss Oranston's hand in lawful
wedlock should let him de-: - 1
'"You mean to refuse your fathers
freedom?" gasped Telfare.' ''s': f.' . -,
:'''Yes. refuse. I am trying, Telfare,
to show the world by my hfe that. I
have not inherited, my parents weak
ness. shall not depart from that rule
by@ entering into q dishonorable com
pact with a man as base as you are,
regardless of what It means to me- /
YOU'D better think this over, Buck
ley" said the governor. "You are mad
now" =, y
~ have nothing else to say" replied
Buckley. "and, to show you how little
regard have for your wishes, shall
keep my engagement with Miss Gran
ston this evening"" And, turning, he
walked ahead Of Telfare to the house
and into tho lighted parlor. A servant
took his hat and told him Miss Gran
ston had gone into the garden, but
would return in a moment. While he
was waiting the governor entered the
room and sat down He was pale,
nervous and had desperate glare in
his eyes. Then Lydia came In. She
was slightly flushed and had a tube
rose in her hand. >,1 ~
"1'm so glad you came," she said to
George. Telfare had risen and stood
trying to appear at ease. but she did
not notice him. =
"Do you like tuberoses?' she asked
Buckley. a:
Every much" he replied. !
"Then you shall wear this" she said,
her voice quite unsteady, She glanced
at Telfare and finished: 'It's the only
one have. Governor Telfare, IL you'd
like one you may ring and the girl will
supply you" She leaned forward and
with her white, deft fingers pinned the
flower on the lapel Of Buckley's coat.
"Mr.-er-ah-Buckl is to be con-
graduated on getting his tuberose,"
the governor said, with white sneer
HE seems to be something of'a favor.
ite, Missy Lydia-at least for the mo-
ment." Y
The girl laughed harshly. George
had never seen her so excited. Her
eyes shone like diamonds in the light
Of the chandelier.
"Mr. Buckley and I are true friends -
she said. II respect him more than
any one alive, unless it is my father"
::<"Ah, you dov' Telfare: bit at his
short, black mustache which he turned
inward with his trembling fingers. 1.-THE
gentleman-1 mean Mr.. Buckley-is
quite fortunate" he said. II see your
father is smoking on the Yeranda.
With your permission I'll Join him..
Eyes, do, Governor Telfare," the girl
said coldly. "1'm quite anxious to
speak to Mr.. Buckley alone for few
Moments
The governor stood up, his dark face
stamped with fury.
"Your manner has changed within
the last half hour" he said significant
ly. "At the supper table you were
quite another little girl, but We shall
talk that over later"
When the governor had left the room
George fancied LyC1ia's face turned