Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1904-08-24
When the Heart Is >Youn0
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6lOPPlnB III Ills VAIN W 1dCC LIS
rebellious son. what do you want?
Eva Grantholm is beautiful. Her face
and figure are perfect. That she is
wealthy should be no disadvantage in
the eyes of your fathers son. Egad,
Harvey" he added somewhat more
mildly. when you have come to my
years, the age Of discretion for Wal
degrave, you will understand that a
substantial bank balance is not the
least asset in many fair lady's claim
to beauty"
''Not in my eyes," retorted Harvey
Waldegrave. when 1 choose a wife
shall certainly not consult her bank
,ser before | allow my heart to throb
for her."
Sir Charles curled his lips super
ciliously, but his voice betrayed his
anxiety as he replied: Gam l to I'M
derstand from your remark that your
heart is already in the throbbing state;
that the lady is already found? If so,
1 warn you that in this matter have
made my stand. Either you marry
Eva orr need not put the threat in
words. l have no wish to quarrel with
you, Harvey" he added somewhat sad
~. "but love the home that 1 was
born in and it has pleased me to see
my sentiments shared by you. 1t
would kill me to see the place in
strangers hands, to know that you
would not be it's master. That is
what your refusal means to me-to
you. That my extravagances have
brought our fortunes to this pass does
not help to make the matter less bitter
to me-"
Harvey's handsome face softened.
1.-The very reason you have given,
dad, is the one which impels me to
pursue the course which l have cho-
sen. Practically penniless, possessed
OF nothing but an honorable name, 1
shall not stoop to sully it by bartering
1t for money. With regard to your
other question, although l do not think
you put it seriously, so far 1 have seen
no girl with whom I would wish to
share that name"
His words appeared to afford his
father satisfaction, for laying his hand
upon his sons arm he said pleasantly:
Until then the threat l made Just
now is held In reservation, and per-
haps before that time the discretion
spoke of may have come"
"You condemn me to long course
OF celibacy, dad" laughed Harvey, IF
have to wait till your age"
My age! You speak as if I were a
rival to Methuselah. 1 was 40 last
March. and do not feel day older
than when ! was the age you will be
next month. Egad, boy, If you dare
to tease me about my age 1 may enter
myself for the matrimonial stakes
against you and back myself to carry
off the prize"
so far as | am concerned" retort-
ed Harvey, his eyes twinkling with
merrlment, you would have no cause
to fear, but even supposing we were
both to run, who knows what the lady
might have to say? Her feelings
would have to be consulted. Beauty
and money, the combination, as you
say, is peerless. She may know her
value and not let herself be won."
Sir Charles gazed amusedly at his
handsome son.
Upon my word, Harvey, were to
close my eyes l might wonder if you
were my son. When l was your age
every girl was to be won"
II challenge you to win her." an
swered Harvey smiling. He believed
that Sir Charles was TESTING, and was
well pleased to find the conversation
which had begun so ominousIy brought
to an end so pleasantly.
"At my age undoubtedly it will be a
sacrifice, but with an undutiful son
who absolutely refuses to aid me I
shall have to make it and pursue the
matter to an end. What that end
may be thirty days will prove; but
come, Harvey, it is time to dress for
dinner. The thought Of what 1 have
embarked upon will make it pleasure
TO me. Old as / am, 1 will let you
see that have not forgotten how to
woo. The lesson may be useful to
you"
The dinner gong had sounded I'm
patiently Sir Charles fretted about the
. room, for young as he considered him
self he had reached an age when din
ner becomes an important event in the
daily round of life.
'See if Miss Grantholm Is coming.
Mary" he began Querulously, when
the door was thrown open and Eva
was ushered in. His sentence ended
abruptly in scarcely restrained ex-
clamation Of admiration.
Il am afraid I am late," she said
with a smile to Sir Charles, which in
stantly caused any recollection Of his
late Impotence to disappear, "but If
you will forgive me shall make
amends In future"
He drew her arm through his, and
as Harvey followed with his sister he
Easl I'D - ~ 90