The St. Mary banner. (Franklin, Parish of St. Mary, La.) 1889-1931, 1907-07-06
Dicks Proposal.
BY JAMES GRAY WApDELL.

anything of the sort
May l ask the nature of your OBJ
jections?" said Dick, quietly.
Il have other views for my daugh-
ter-that is sufficient; so you may con-
slider the matter at an end" And he
turned to his papers as an intimation
that the interview also was at an end.
Dick rose. This brusque treatment
was somewhat exasperating, and, as a
consequence, his parting shot was
neither conciliatory nor diplomatic
Since you decline to justify your
attitude, decline to consider the mat
ter at an end" he retorted If | judge
your daughter rightly, she will marry
me without your consent. if necessary"
Mr. Keller shrugged his shoulders
without deigning glance at the auda-
cious young man.
That will be her affair."" he replied,
calmly. "Of course, she may 60 her
own way if she pleases, and-take the
consequences"
There was nothing more to be gained
by prolonging the interview after this
delivery of their respective ultimate
and Dick took his departure, boiling
inwardly.
When he had gone, Mr.. Keller rang
a bell, and servant quickly answered
the summons.
ASK Madeline to come here" he
said, CURLY.
Madeline duly appeared. ready for
the fray, for which her knowledge of
Dicks visit had already prepared her.
Il have just had visit from Mr..
Rudford," began Mr. Keller, with a
calmness which was Ominous. Il am
given to understand that you were
aware Of his errand?'
Yes. papa" she demurely replied.
"He tells me you have promised to
marry him?"
(Which promise was made. OF
course, subject to my approval" he went
on, dryly Il disapprove entirely and
have not the slightest intention Of al
lowing you to keep it, as l have al
ready informed Mr.. Rudford."
why? He is a really good man"
He is not the sort of man l would
choose for you; that is enough. Should
you marry him in defiance Of my
wishes. you shall never touch a dollar
of my money"
The threat was probably called forth
by sudden doubt on Mr.. Kelter's part
as to whether his veto would prove
sufficient-his daughters demeanor
displaying certain quiet obstinacy new
to him, her will having never before
entered into conflict with his own on
any vital point
Very We'll, papa. dear" she replied,
cheerfully. Il shall have to marry Dick
some day; he has my promise. and
can't 60 back on that AS for the
money, you will have to leave it to
found an orphanage or something Of
that sort. That would be SO nice for
the orphans, poor dears.'
At this point Mr.. Keller did thing
rare with him; he lost his temper. His
clinched fist came down on the table
with crash that made everything
jump, the prelude to a terrific Grafton
to which there was no listener, for his
daughter had precipitately fed from the
rising storm.
Madeline did not rush off to her room
and throw herself on the bed with the
tears and lamentations customary in
such cases.
No, she went away and wrote a very
sweet letter to Dick, in which the mis-
chievous element appeared only once,
when she congratulated him upon hav-
ing made a dignified departure without
the aid Of feet other than his own.
AT least" she wrote, Il judge that
your departure was dignifed, there be-
would indicate otherwise"
She went on to tell her dear boy not
to worry-that things would all come
right in the end, and that if it came
to the worst, she would just have to
marry him without the parental con-
sent only, in that case, Dick, dear,
you would probably have to take me in
the frock | stand in, and without any
other worldly possessions" The letter
concluded with promise to lunch
with him on the morrow.
And a very delightful lunch they had,
perhaps all the more SO that they knew
it was stolen fruit in the light of Mr..
Kelter's contumacy, which was dis
cussed in all its bearings and character
lied as wholly illogical.
He has his knife into me, Maddie,
and no mistake" said Dick. resentfully.
Never mind" replied Madeline,
cheerfully. 1T has to come out again
that's al, or papa is not going to have