Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1907-07-19

"
lie fcds bringing 1t doapas-Hpon graz
hairs
to conceal than intolerable anxiety,
and so no sooner were her worse fears
dissipated than new fears took their
place.
She went for a ride with Daintree,
and he wearied her more than ever.
1t was q heavenly June day, but lus-
cious fields and gorgeous sky We're
nothing to the poetaster. His own
rhymes thereon at once usurped and
exhausted the subject A volume Of
his verse was in the press; every sight,
sound or word suggested n quotation.
Claire tried hard to think of all that
he had done She found herself think
ing Of Tom instead and in sheer de-
preston turned early homewarsl.
With the new year came i'll tidings
from Australia. An Investment had
turned out badly. Daintree.s Interests
In general were suffering from his alb.
sence. The very next day. james
Daintree led Claire Harding into her
fathers library and, even With his
face in happy flames, struck an atti.
tude: before the writing table.
s"She Is mine!, he cried. She has
consented to share the poot's bays, to
divide With Is.au his inheritance in the
wilderness..,
1t was notable that no consent was
asked of Nicholas Harding. He sat
back in his chair, with stllled sigh of
unspeakable relief. Claire never for
got how his iiands felt us he took both
OF hers and drew her toward him.
But You spoke of sailing at once"
said he, cloaking eagerness with an.
air of extreme depreciation. ut would
have to be a very hurried affair.""
The first cloud crossed Daintree's
face.
"Ah. no" said he 81 could not take
her at a moments notice to house
unfit for her reception. must go and
prepare it for her. That is a stern.
necessity. But you must bring her out
to me yourself in six months time"
Mr.. Harding shook his head. He
was a public man.
Then Lady Starkie must"
Mr.. Harding spoke warmly and I'M
selfishly in favor of an immediate mar
riage, to no purpose, however. They
had indeed made up their minds,
though the reason was not that which
Daintrce had given. Vanity forbade
him to disclose the real reason. 1t was
her solitary but firm stipulation, and
SO much for his brave desire to get
first to Sydney on Claire's account.
He was to sail In seven days.
Meanwhile the engagement was nm
nounced IN the Morning Post of jan.
10.
On the 10th Mr. Harding found q,
note from Sir Emilius at his office:
Sir-iy Morning Post informs me that
q marriage has been arranged between
your daughter and my son. II you care
for the young lady's happiness you will
put stop to this at once. Yours faith
fully, ENIILIUS DAINTREE.
N. B.-I send this word Of warning in
private address, as / think 1t hardly
likely that you will receive both copies
II my son is still with you.
Mr.. Harding started to his feet He
had not received the copy posted to his
house. Was the father a liar or the
son something worsel The fathers
reputation stay!
1t was the sou.
He had been down before Mr.. Hard
ing that morning. The latter had.
found him In the dining room when he
entered. and OIL his own plate were
such letters us he had received. Hard
ing seized his hat, then reflected,
changed color and took pen himself.
The note which he subsequently dis
| patched by hand was a model of firm.
ness, tempered by tact. He demanded,
however, an Immediate explanation of
Sir Emflius Daintree.s words, and the.
messenger was to whit for an answer.
The messenger returned without one.
Then Mr. Harding called In person
Sir Nmillus was not Mt home.
But next morning there was another
brief note at the office:
Dear Sir-I have been thinking the mat
ter over. You have my sympathy, but /
cannot enter Into details. absolutely
decline to do SO. You know the proverb.
and word should be enough for the
wise or you may go for your explanation
to my son, who will tell you 1t is all my
spite. IT is for you MS man OF the
world to believe or to disbelieve him on
| that point. will say. however. that so
far as know my son is not insane. I
would to heaven he were. Yours. etc,
EMILIUS DAINTREE.
Mr.. Harding was now miserable
man. The very sight OF the betrothed
pair became mi hourly agony, yet lie.
| lacked either the courage or the will
to Interfere. Only four days remained.
He called again on Sir Elnilius Dain-5
tree. but again the baronet was In
visible.