Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-06-18

"Chug- a-chug" II came down the long
main street. with an ever thickenng cloud
of dust All Circlevllle heard the noise
and saw the dust In pleased anticipation
II paused to look. The Honorable David
Barclay, banker. was the towns leading
citizen. and In his new automobile, of the
most approved red devil type. his i'm
portance was vastly augmented.
From out the cloud OF dust appeared the
swiftly moving machine equipped with all
the latest fixtures including a begoggled.
handicapped chauffeur. Mr.. Barclay had
passed the acute stage of automobiing, and
his costume was in keeping with his dig
nifty as Leading Citizen. In golden June he
wore top hat and n black frock coat
precisely as he wore them in the winter
months.
In front of the Circleville National Bank.
of which Mr.. Barclay was president, the
machine drew up at the curb with as near
an approach To "a flourish as an insensate
DIT OF machinery can accomplish. An ac-
tive young man. shrew Of eye and clean cut
of visaGe. sprans 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
flat-topped oak desk when the young man
closed the door. Good morning, Mr.. Bar
clay" he said respectfully, removing his
hat
Morning Mr. - Mr.. -ah - Carruthers. 8"
There was an exaggerated hesitation before
the pronunciation of the name, though Mr..
Barclay knew the title well as he did
his own.
you probably have an idea what I've
come for" The young man was still stand
ing he had received no invitation to be
seated. Il want to marry Miss Ethel, sir
And she-I think she cares for me as much
as l care for her
banker leaned hack in his hal He
placed an elbow on each arm of it and fitted
his finger tips carefully together. There
was a smile of quizZical amusement on his
face.
Nonsense, Carruthers nonsense. You
should know the absurdty of such re-
quest. You couldn't support her, sir
Il think | could
I've supported her for twenty years. so
j may be pardoned if l seem positive on
the subject. What salary do you get?"
Thirty dollars week. sir" said the
young man eagerly, but Mr.. Giddings has
promised me forty"
"Supposing he gave you fifty" the banker
interrupted, waving the rest OF Carruthars'
sentence away, do YOU imagine that
would do 1t? Why, she pays more than
that for her gloves and bonne;s and, an
shoes,"
II don't doubt it. Mr.. Barclay, in the
least But she's willing to try
You're wasting time" The banker
brought plump. well-kept hand down de-
clsively on the desk. It's useless to car
ry the conversation further. l absolutely
refuse to give my consent TO the mar
riage."
The young mans eyes lighted stormily,
but he still spoke respectfully, almost gent
ly. Then | am in honor bound to tell
you. Mr.. Barclay that we will marry with
out 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 shat
day with her mother and me for Europe.
Good morning"
Carruthers took long breath when he
stood again on the stone steps. "He said it
on impulse, by Jove"' thought the young
man. He was going to Europe alone. But
he'll do it-oh. he'll do it, Get busy. r CHI
ard. get busy, die hermit And wi h
this vigorous adjuration he swung off
down the street.
Richard. Carruthers was city editor of the
"CircleyIlle Daily Eagle and to the eyre
of the Eagle" he now bent his steps 4
days leave of absence when he explained