The Lake County times. [volume] (Hammond, Ind.) 1906-1933, 1907-09-25

10 hate he. We have nothing in COM
mon. / love books and art and gayety
and dresses. But father only cares for
jewels He has lot down in the cell
lar / have never seen them. you
know" added Sylvia, looking at her
lover, nor have Deborah or Bart. But
they are there. Bart aud Deborah say
SO"
Has your father ever said soT''
mo. He won't speak OF his business
in the cellar. When the shop is closed
at he sends Bart away home and
locks Deborah aud me In the house.
That is" she explained anxiously. lest
Paul should think her father q tyrant,
''he locks the door which lends to the
shop. We can walk all over the house
But there we stop till next morning.
when father unlocks the door at Z
and Bart takes down the shutters. We
have lived like that for years. On
Sunday evenings, however, father does
not go to the cellar, but takes me to
church He has supper with me up
stairs and then locks the door at TO-"
But he sleeps upstairsT
NO lie sleeps IN the cellar.
impossible. There is no accommo-
dation for sleeping there"
Sylvia explained. There is another
celIar-a smaller one-off the large
place be has the safes in. The door is
in a dark corner almost under the
street line. This smaller cellar is fitted
up as a bedroom, and my father has
slept there all his life. l suppose he
is afraid Of his jewels being stolen l
don't think it is good for his health"
added the girl wisely, "for often in
the morning he looks i'll and his hands
shake"
sylvia. does your father drink al
cohol?"
"Oh. no, PAUL. He is a teetotaler
and is very angry at those who drink
to excess"
HE either drinks or smokes opium"
thought Paul on hearing Sylvia's de-
NAL But he said nothing to her Of
this.
Il must go home now" she said. ris-
ing
''Oh, no. not yet" be implored.
well. then. I'll stay for few min
utes longer, because | have something
TO say" she remarked and sat down
again. Paul. do you think 1t is quite
honorable for you and me to be en-
gagged without the consent of my ia
therf"
We'll" hesitated Beecot, "I don't
think 1t is as it should be. Were
we'll Off / should not fear to tell your
father everything. but as l am a pau
per be would forbid my seeing you
did he learn that l had raised my eyes
to you. But If you like I'll speak.
though 1t may mean our parting for
ever"
Paul" she laid firm, small hand
on his arm, mot all the fathers in the
world will keep me from you. Often
! have intended TO tell all. but my IA
Their is so strange. Sometimes he goes
whole days without speaking to me.
and at times he speaks harshly, though
l do nothing to deserve Pebuke. l am
afraid OF my father" said the girl,
with shiver. az said so before. and
l say so again. He is a strange man.
and l don't understand him at all |
wish I could marry you and go away
altogether"
We'll, let US marry If you like,
though we will be poor"
No" said Sylvia sorrowfully. aft
er all. strange and harsh though my
father is, he is still my father. and al
times he is kind must stay with him
to the end"
What end"
Sylvia shook her head still more sor.
rowfUlly who knOwsf Paul, my
father is afraid of dying suddenly"
by violence?" asked Beecot. think
ing Of Deborah's talk.
II can't say. But every day after
6 be goes to church and prays all
alone Deborah told me. as often she
has seen him leave the church Then
he is afraid of every stranger who
enters the shop. | don't understand
it." cried the girl passionately. "a
don't like it. wish you would marry
me and take me away. Paul; but, oh
how selfish l am"
My own. l wish I could. Bnt the
money
"Oh, never mind the money. I mus
get away from that house. If it was
not for Deborah would be still more
afraid l often think my father is
mad. But there" Sylvia rose ant
shook out her skirts. II have no right
to talk so and only do so to yor
that you may know what feel. II
speak to my father myself and say We
are engaged. If he forbids our mar
rage l shall run away with you. Paul.
said poor Sylvia. the tears in her eyes
Paul was so enchanted with thi:
speech that he would have defed pub
&c opinion by embracing her there ant
then. but Sylvia walked away rapidly
down Gwynne street and shook he
head with a purSed up mouth wheT
Paul took a few steps after her. Rec
ognizing that it would be wise no
to follow her TO the shop lest the sus