Wauwatosa news. [volume] (Wauwatosa, Wis.) 1900-1948, 1904-05-14
CHAPTER Iy.-oentinned.l

fore. her praises of his kindness and use
+,,Iness during her fathers absence
seemed to him sufficient proof of it. He
exnected ready acquiescenee on her part
n his scheme lie had yet to learn that
the hayward, delicate intricaeies of a
young girls heart are something beyond
tbe power of clumsy, worldly man to
understand
He preached the subject that night
after dinner. -,
Come here, little woman" he said,
haekoning her to his side, as she was
about to take her departure into the
Garden. 81 want TO have a Chat with
She came and sat down on the arm OF
his chair, pleased to find him in a more
genial mood than he had displayed for
some time.
"What is it, fatherf! You look as if
YOU had something interesting 20 tell
me"
"Why, as it is-or should be. Let me
see-h0w old are you!"
Seventeen last birthday. l shall be
is in November"
80 thought. Well, then, don't you
think You are old enough to be married?"
ITO be married! Father, you are joI.
;ngl"
"Never further from it in my life, my
dear The fact is, l have had a pro
posal made to me fer you!"
The girl colored, and tossed her pretty
head.
GLOW extremely interesting" she said;
quite in the French style. The would
be lover proposing to the father instea
of the daughter"
Its very proper way of doing it.
Hester" said Mr.. Beale, testify. 1T was
natural that the young man should want
to have my approval; though, to be
sure" he added, musingly, "he knew 1t
was my wish before he spoke"
MAY inquire" said Hester, "who this
ardent lover is 2"
Hugh Beverley, and 1 may as well
tell you at once, my dear, that it is q
very strong wish of mine that YOU
should marry him. He is a nice young
fellow, and in a remarkably good posi-
ton; / am very pleased about it. lie
has fallen in with my views in the most
satisfactory manner"
1t was curious that the brain that
could scheme and maneuver as Frederick
bNdLC uClit. 1ittn Alob SuBblClN
enough to see that he was defeating his
own ends by the tone he was adopting;
that every word he uttered was more and
1nore outraging the girls maiden dignity
that the mere fact of her loving Hugh
made her all the more sensitive and
proud. But the hop merchant was
contradiction in many ways, and he went
laundering on:
Hugh and I were talking the matter
over this morning" he SAID, "and we
agreed that it would be best that I
should speak to you. I have promised
to let him have your answer tonight"
You can let him lave it, father" said
the girl, with flushed cheek and
trembling lip. "My answer is No"
No! Good heavens, girl! Do YIN
mean it,"
why should l not mean it?" cried
Hester, rising from her seat and begin
ming to pace the room, with her head
held high and her dark eyes flashing
angrily. did you suppose that l was
SO anxious to be married as to jump
readily at the first offer L have?"
Il thought" said her father, that You
cared for the young man."
Then You We're mistaken" said Hes
ter, mendaciously; "and if you have led
I'M to think so, you had better unde-
Ceive him at once"
Mr.. Beale rose from his chair and con-
1neneed emulating his daughter in Der
feVered pacing up and down the room.
They both stopped presently with the
table between them, and stood facing
each other like pair of duelists.
My girl" said Mr.. Beale, roughly,
you will have to marry this young
man."
Very rarely in all her remembrance of
HIM had Hester's father spoken to her
like that. She hardly knew him with
that dark flush of anger on MS face, with
the veins in his forehead swelling with
excitement. and his big, burly frame
shaking. She felt frightened and shrank
back.
Are you so anxious to get rid of me :"
she said, in low voice.
i am anxious to see you comfortably
married and provided for. have chosen
husband for you with care, and l will
rot submit to be thwarted by your alb
surd fancies."
Neither will I allow myself TO be
given away like parcel, as if it were no
concern of mine. You can't force me to
marry anyone, father. As to my future,
let that take care of itself"
The next morning Hugh, who in his
suspense had scarcely slept through the
night, came down to breakfast to find
the promised letter lying by his plate
30 anxious was he that he scarcely
dare open it. Nevertheless he at last
SIT the envelope. The letter covered the
Tour sides of sheet of note-paper, and
II was TO the effect that, much to ,he
Writer'S chagrin and annoyance. his
laughter had seen fit to refuse Hugh's
offer Her reason, he said, was unknown
70 him. She did not profess either TO
IIHe or dislike him; she simply refused
porntblank, and so fer the present thing
We're at standstill. At the same time
ne assured Hugh that he need not fear
hls taking any unpleasant steps just
now, as he lived in hopes of inducing her
70 change her mind, in which event, even
il they had to wait ONE time for it. his
promise to the young man would hold
EUOQ. and fha &C 4bn