Alaska sentinel., 1907-01-03
A Lawyer in the Family.


 which the lady regarded the young man with a steady gaze
 Il knew" she presently said. that I was taking great chances when Clare made that visit in New York with Louise Humphrey"
 The young man wisely waited. but the lady relapsed into silence.
 "l haven't much to offer her" he said; "at least at present. I'm young and I'm making my way. and my chances seem good. I can give Clare a modest home In a nice neighborhood, a home in which there will always be room for you. dear madam
 The lady slightly snlffed.
 You are getting ahead little too fast, young man. I've 10 thought of moving just at present Does Clare know about this-this delightful ar rangement!'
 Yes, madam"
 Its all settled, theu?"
 No. madam. It all depends on you" Again the lady slightly sniffed.
 My niece was In New York lust A month. During that month you coll rived to persuade yourself that she was the only girl in all the world you could ever care for. Did you, or did you not:"
 T did. madam"
 Seems nonsensical, doesn't it?"
 ''No, madam"
 She shook her head at hlm reprov- lngly.
 You look like fairly sensible young man. Does my niece reclprocate this-this fanciful attachment?"
 "ies. madam"
 And she sent you to meT
 "Yes, madam"
 But why come to me If you are both agreed?'
 Glare owes you too much, madam, to do anything contrary to your ap- proval"
 "Hoity-tolty! And suppose re- fuseT
 We can wait, madam"
 That's just what you should do. How silly this seems. You have met my niece twenty times, we'll say, and no doubt think her the one perfect flower of all girlhood. Do l use the right expression?"
 'Yes, madam"
 Sha nraty fha oh closer.
 Do you appreciate what you are asking of me-" she suddenly famed out. What do We know about you?- Very little. madam. I can only tell you that l am clean and honest, and have a good profession"
 That Is what you say" Then her eyes suddenly twnkled behind her glasses. "I'll admit that I'm a little prejudlced In your favor-although you certainly are not as good looking as Clare would have me believe. And I like your letters"
 Did Clare show them to you?"
 How else could l have seen them : They were not nearly as slushy as might have been expected"
 Thank you.'
 That one that told about the Italian cbild In the police court was as good as a book. I'll admit that Clare and I both cried over it. She paused and drew long breath. Its very silly iu me, know, but never having had any love affair of my own 1t Is natural should feel an extra interest In Clare's. '
 She took off her glasses and again wiped them with much care. He looked at her curlously.
 q begin to have a susplcion," he said.
 "Of what"
 That you knew me all the time"
 The lady laughed softly.
 "I wasn't particularly startled by your appearance"
 And you didn't really take me fol a book agent:" "No."
 Aunt Lucy" said the young man you certainly are very clever wom an."
 Aunt Lucy. Hoitytolty. You ar' taking a good deal fer granted, Richard Barclay. But here; let's be frank ant straightforward. I promise you noth ing. You will stay and take dinner with us and then we three will tall this all over. We are going to be per fectly independent on our side. you understand. We may be poor, or al least very far from rich, but we ars proud. We come by it naturally. That, my fathers picture up there, Jethrc Holt He was as proud as lord" The young man looked up quickly.
 What did you call his name?"
 "Jethro Holt" The young mans eyes sparkled. "Jethro Holt, of Petunia, Maine