Pine Bluff daily graphic., 1905-09-21
WuS wIvnln nls reGcs

i TeckOn you are sorry DOW that NOt
didn't wait Till | had finished before
you dared to-but that may pass
simply will not degrade myself Buck
ley. by visiting lady who is receiving
a man of your standing even if she is
led only by her sympathies and if Won
will give up all claim to her and agree
never to approach her on an equal foot
Ing again. | will liberate your father
OF course. you understand. Id want
some sort o. rst;, io7a ,e ,:o7ne te ne
only few names of his neighbors will
do but
And your objcct?' George asked
looking up.
"Well. that's private matter" an
swered relfare "but may as we'll ad
NIT that my object is to marry Miss
Cranston. and. as she evidently is ac,u
ated by sort Of pity, admirable in /,
woman, for you in your misfortune. |
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! 1t is not that 1t is only the idea
Of our visiting here as social equals
George stood up. He bad something
to say, and it rang in Telfares ears
long after the words were spoken
My father Telfare,' he began. "was
convicted for stealing, and no doubt
justly, but he was an unlettered. igno
rant man. He was Il thief but you, Tel
fare. are lower than be, for, with your
opportunities for knowing right from
wrong, you degrade your of1ce-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
me to trade in commodity l don't
possess, But hold on; am not through.
want to add that if my accepting
your proposition meant that lent the
weight of a straw toward making Miss
Cranston your wife. I'd refuse with my
dying breath. could not live know
ing that the purest aud noblest woman
God ever made was through an act Of
mine living with a iOathso1ue reptile
ike YOU. If my father stood en- the
galo%s cor"cnlncd TO death and |
could save him by allowing YOU to
i@uch Miss transtons baud in lawful
wedlock should let him die"
You mean to ref73se your father
freedonl:" gasned Tcifare
Yes, ! ref;7se. | am irving, Te!:are
to show the "erl'l by my life that
have not inherited my parents weak
ness. ] shall not depart 1T0m that rule
by entering into u djshonorable com
/ pact with a man as base as You are.
regardless Of what il means to me-
You'd better think this oser. Euck-
ley said the governor You are mad
now
! Il have nothing else to say" replied
Buckley, "and. to show you how little
regard l have for your wishes, shall
keep my engagement with Miss Gran
ston this evening" And, turning, he
wake ahead of Te}fare to the house
and into the 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 tube
rose in her hand.
I'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 tuberosesY' she asked
Buckley
"Very much" he replied
"Then you shall wear this.' she said
her voice quite unsteady. She glanced
at Telfare and finished "It'e the only
one have Governor Telfare, If 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.
r.-er-ah-Buckley is to be con-
graduated on getting his tuberose,"
the governor said, with white sneer
"He seems to be something of a favor,
ite. Miss Lydia-at least for the mo
ment.'
The girl laughed hafshly George
had never seen her SO excited Her
eyes shone like diamonds in the light
of the chandelier
MIR. Buckley and are true friends"
she said II respect him more than
any one alive unless it is my father"
'Ah. you do!' Telfare bit ut Ills
short, black mustacbe which he turned
inward with his trembling fingers ''The
gentleman mean Mr.. Buckley-is
quite Fortunate" he said. II see your
father is smoking on the veranda.
With your permission III join him
Yes. do. Governor Telfare.' the girl
said coldly. Pm 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" be said significant