The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1906-02-23
Her Fathers Consent.
BY ELLIOTT FLOWER.

| Elwyn Forman sought the hand of
Kathryn Randall and Benjamin Randall
said he should not have it. Benjamin in
sisted that his daughter had been chris
tened Catherine, and that the influence
of the young man had changed the name
to Kathryn" Benjamin did not look
with favor on the modern desire to make
the ''y" do extra duty in the construction
| of proper Manassas last letter it might
| be all right, but elsewhere he considered
minor consideration; the main trouble
was that the young man gave too much
attention to social accomplishments and
| too little to business. He was not the
kind that would prosper. At least, so
| Benjamin claimed.
"Never with my consent" exclaimed
the irascible Benjamin, when Elwyn sug-
gested that he and Kathryn were of one
mind and one heart, and consequently
deemed it wise to get under one roof.
why not ?" persisted Elwyn.
II do not see that am called upon to
give reasons, "retorted Benjamin. That
l refuse my consent is sufficient"
81 presume it ought to be-" admitted
Elwyn, "but it happens that unquestion-
| able obedience is little out Of date these
modern days. Young people are now
taught to reason; they insist upon being
given the opportunity to do so. To re-
fuse that to your daughter is to invite
rebellion. Besides, l have a right to
know why am Objectionable as som
in-law."
Benjamin had not expected such a dis
play of determination on the part of the
young man. Perhaps this was why he
was startled into giving reasons. Or it
may be that his temper led him to say
the uncomplimentary things that fol
lowed.
"You are Objectionable" he said. "be-
cause you seem to ME to lack all that
spells success. l cannot see that you
have any business or financial ability,
and you certainly lack energy and force.
You may be socially resourceful, but that
is about your limit, and l expect my
daughter to marry a really capable
man"
IF prove that you have misjudged
me-
"You can't do it. You are nice, po-.
lite parlor boy, but in the rough-and-
tumble business world you'd be tripped
up and run over before you knew what
had happened to you. My daughters
husband must have the aggressiveness to
force recognition from real men; he must
have something more than ~ in the
middle of his name"
Elwyn had no hesitation in pointing
out the injustice of this to Kathryn.
sit is unfair" she conceded, dolefully,
because know you're just as good
business man as he is. And l guess
you've proved to me how earnest and
persevering you are"
II wish could prove it to him." he
said. I'D like to have claim against
him. s.
What kind of a claim ?" she asked.
"a claim for money that he didn't
want to pay" he explained. "Td just
like to show my business ability by col
Letting such a claim"
THAT would convince him." she ex-
claimed.
"He certainly couldn't say much if 1
proved myself smart enough to beat
him!" asserted Elwyn. And there'd be
an awful lot of satisfaction in it, too"
well, l have claim against him."
Your"
YES. He promised me $500 if l gradu-
ated at the head of my class, and he never
has paid it."
Elwyn laughed.
That's hardly legal claim" he said.
$50 much the more credit for you if
you collect it" she insisted.
He'd probably pay it on demand and
spoil every thing"
Not if you make the demand" she
asserted.
Still the plan did not impress Elwyn
favorably.
1t would be a great joke to present
| Benjamin Randall's daughters claim to
| Benjamin Randall, but Benjamin would
not consider it such, and nothing would
be gained. Then newspaper item al
tracted Elwyn's attention. Benjamin
Randall was to give dinner to num-
Der of distinguished me1. The dinner, be-
cause of the many guests, was to be
served in the banquet-room of leading
hotel, instead of in the dining-room of
Mr.. Randali's residence.
THAT looks like an opportunity"
unused Elwyn. "All l want is chance
to force matters to an issue without un-
necessary delay. You can do lots of
things to man if you can get him in a
corner"
Kathryn was somewhat mystihed
when Elwyn came to see her. He had
been much depressed at the conclusion of
their previous interview, but now he
seemed unusually cheerful.
Has the claim been paid?" he asked.
"No," she answered. Il haven't even
presented it Of course, l have only to
ask for the money to get it, but | have
had 40 occasion to do So"
Assign it to me-, he said. 'I'll give
| wa, INV pota for II ~
ooh! don't want your note, Elwyn,'
she returned "All l want is to make
papa reasonable"
Its only FORM" he explained, 81
want you to take my note so that will
have a clear title. I'm going to win
your fathers consent tonight"
Tonight" she exclaimed. why, he's
going to entertain some distinguished
men from out of the city tonight"
"He thinks he is" corrected Elwyn.
Thinks he is" she repeated Ism
he?"
Not unless he surrenders to me-"
Its all very mysterious" she said
"but knew you'd fud away to con
vince him."
! Elwyn did not explain further, Per
haps he was afraid Kathryn might oh