Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1906-05-09

w nat wrong between you and nv
Robert?"
Susan suddenly gasped.
"What do you mean, Mr.. Chalmers?"
what do I mean? 1 mean that IT'S
in your power to keep my boy at home
That it's in your power to help me
carry out my plans, to help me do the
things have so long expected to-tbat
it's in your power to do a great kind
ness to an old man who would forever
bless you"
He nodded emphatically as he spoke
and his voice trembled.
ST don't altogether understand Won.
Mr.. Chalmers"
"How can you help understanding?
Haven't 1 made 1t clear?"
''Not for me, Mr.. Chalmers"
He drew a long breath.
whats wrong between you and my
Robert?" he asked again.
She stared at him.
'"There is nothing between me and
Robert, Mr.. Chalmers"
Then she suddenly flushed.
81 take you to be an honest girl, Miss
Susan" he said. '"There is truth in
your eyes. And yet speak the truth
too, when l say that l am sure Won
could keep my Robert from going
away"
"How?"
'By bidding him to stay at home"
She shook her head.
'Why should he stay at my request 2"
CHI Surely you know he loves
you"
"Mr. Chalmers !"
II say you know he loves you
81 know nothing Of the sort"
"What! Hasn't he told youY
'No."
Didn't you refuse to marry him?"
'How could II"
"Eh?"
'How could 1 refuse to marry him
when he hasn't asked me?"
The father Of Robert was quite over
come. He stared at her speechlessly.
Never asked your he presently
gasped. "Well, we'll. l never was more
deceived in my life. Why, he told me
that he loved you and that it was a
hopeless passion. knew something was
wrong with him, and one night over
heard him speak your name in his
sleep. Then I taxed him with caring
| for yOu-not that l didn't approve
and at once he began to talk Of going
away. And he has never spoken to you
of-of lover
''Never, Mr.. Chalmers"
"Is-is he afraid of you.'
81 think he must be-"
II can't understand it. 1 don't be-
Iieve he's afraid Of anything else Why,
only the other day he gave that big
bully, Jim Meadows, the soundest kind
Of thrashing. Did you hear about it?"
NO. Mr.. Chalmers"
II knew Robert had been fighting,
and 1 asked him the cause. And what
do you think. He whipped Jim-and
Jim is nearly twice his weight be-
cause the big fellow said you were a
firt. And yet he's afraid of you. Well,
WELL" He paused and suddenly frown-
ed. "He's made a fool Of his old faith
er, all right. l thought it might be
some lovers quarrel, you know, or 1
wouldn't have dreamed of coming here.
II hoped 1 could persuade you to
marry him."
The girl gave a little hysterical
laugh.
"But the persuasion should come
from the party most interested" she
said.
He looked at her with a new express
sion.
Gould I-can l carry home any en-
couragement?" he eagerly asked.
mo, no." cried the girl. "Do you
think would marry any man who had
not the courage to ask me?"
"Of course not" said Roberts faith
er as he arose. "Well, my dear, 1 hope
you'll forgive me for coming here on
this fool errand, and l know your heart
Is too kind to make my humiliation a
| public matter"
The girl followed him to the door. He
| turned and put out his hand.
'Good-by, my DEAR" he said. "I
would have been very glad if it had
been as 1 hoped"
The heart of the girl went out to this
| disappointed father.
"Mr. Chalmers" she said, "do you
think you could persuade Robert to
pass our home tomorrow afternoon,
say at ocIock?"
He looked around eagerly.
Yes, yes,' he answered. "IIl send
him on an errand to John Kemmerly's.
He'll have to pass here. At 8 o'clock,
eh?"
YES" she answered.
He looked at her inquiringly, and his
| face lightened with homo She cbool,