Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1906-09-26

Il wish Banksides JOY" he said, in
a thin voice. 'They can't produce pig
iron at the price,"
Yes, we can" returned Allen, conf
IDENTIFY. "Under my process we can sell
at that price and make 10 per cent bet
ter profit than you can. give you a
chance, Raymond! Let Phyllis marry
my boy, and you shall have this con-
tract and my process on the same terms
on which go to Banksldes."
"You ought to give me credit for hav-
ing more fixed IDEAS"
You won't?"
Exactly; won't. ! am very much
obliged for your magnanimous offer, all
the same"
well, presently you'll come knocking
at my door asking me to buy your
daughter for my son to put bread in
your mouth! We shall see! You love
the girl and you loved Mary, but in
your pigheadedness you'd spoil the
girls life and my Bob's as you spoiled
her mothers and mine. wish you
good evening, William Raymond"
Good evening, Mr.. Allen" said the
iron founder, courteously, moving un-
easily in his chair.
"You won't? Remember, I'm man
of my word"
Good evening, Mr.. Allen" repeated
Raymond, softly, touching the table bell
for servant.
"No, Bob, dear; 1 couldn't do 1t.
Fathers getting an old man, and he has
frightful worries just now. Can 1, his
only child, the only person he has to
love and to love him, absolutely DEFY
his wishes! We must wait, as we have
waited, and derive patience from the
knowledge that youth and fortune are
on our sioe. have the distant memory
of my mother to think of, and my
heart tells me she would bid me wait"
You're quite right, my dear" said
John Allen. before his son could speak,
resting his arms on his great office desk
and smiling benignly at the girl sit
can't hurt either Of you to wait
little longer, after waiting so long We
all have to bide our time. You can 20
on preparing the gildcd cage, Bob; Ray
mond will come round"
Robert Allen glanced at his father
Quickly, and dropped his sweetheart's
hand as If he had suddenly been re-
minded of something he had to say.
HE stopped me this afternoon" he
said, after hesitating. at was very
awkward He was quite pleasant
comparatively that is-and I'll admit
it seemed to cost him an effort"
"Oh, I'm SO glad!" said Phyllis Ray
mond, brightly. "I'm sure he'd be as
nice as possible If he could forget to
be obstinate"
"Hum" grunted John Allen. 'I'm
not sure he'd be nice If he CHANGED to
| glance in at this office at the present
moment and caught you here, my dear"
"Oh!" cried the girl, springing to her
feet. You don't think he would come
here-here!- you?'
"He might" answered John, dryly.
you remember what happened when
the mountain wouldn't go to Moham-
med?"
II thought was absolutely
safe from detection anywhere in Bank
sides foundry, Mr.. Allen"
| $50 you wouli have been, any time,
till today"
"Oh. Unjust so, then. should sink
into the ground If he suddenly came
in!"
tits nonsense, dearest" Robert Inter
posed. Your father wouldn't put his
nose inside the gates for million of
money"
Hes doing 1t for very much less
than that" said John Allen, who was
looking out of the window.
"Coming?" cried Phyllis.
Plenty of time, dearest" said Rob
ert, taking her Land. We'll perform a
strategic movement and retire in order
through the works. Quick! Kiss me,
dearest; dads not looking"
But he might glance around. I'll
kiss you outside"
| 'The place is full of workmen. There,
it's too late!" he muttered, as John
turned around.
"See Phyllis safely out of the works,
| Bob" said the old man, land come back
within call"
Robert opened door into the roun-
dry and gently urged the girl out of the
room; then looked back and whispered
significantly There's bankruptcy
notice on Raym5nd's yard gate"
81 KNOW" answered John, quietly. re.
turning to his desk chair. he sat yell
back, with his chin on his chest. and
has great legs stretched out under the
desk. There YVES u heavy. logged look
Ill his eyes. This was the moment of
his triumph; he was already rich, and
Raymond was ruined and about to sue
| for mercy.
Raymond wns SO long in making his
appearance that Allen began to think he
had changed his mind and left the foun-
dry. But presently the door opened and
he came in. He was evidently embar-
raised by finding himself in the office.
of the man who had crushed him, and
his smile was nervous and llfeless.
Good afternoon, Allen" he said, hes
itatingly. Offering his hand.
Good afternoon, Mr.. Raymond" re-
turned Roberts father, apparently not
seeing the extended hand.
81 have come to say" said Raymond,
pulling off his gloves to ease his sense
of awkwardness, that have carefully
reconsidered my attitude toward you
and your son, sfe, and-er-and have
come to the conclusion that l am not
justified in continuing my objection to
Phyllis marriage to Robert. If my
change Of attitude surprises you, may
explain that had no personal animus
towards your son, but-er-considered
and justly considered, as think you
must realize, that 1t was not expedient
not sane-to allow the marriage while
he lacked the means to make her happy,
especially aa was not, even then, in
position to give her dowry. Now,
however, of course, our relative posi-
tions are completely reversed, and