Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1907-09-14

4 I'D I aStOnlSneu that Aaron should
Es55~---S5a he SO Indifferent about their
lasz3nsy long concealment. They had
expected and dreaded Il storm, yet
when the secret was told Mr. Nor
man appeared to take it as calmly as
though he had known about the mat
ter from the first. Indeed, he seemed
perfectly Indifferent. and when he
raised Sylvia and made her sit beside
him on the sofa lie reverted to the
brooch.
Il shall certainly see Mr.. Beecot."
he said in Il dreamy way. "Charing
Cross hospital, of course. I'll go to-
morrow. / had intended to see about
selling the furniture then, but I'll wait
till the next day. l want the brooch
first-yes-yes, and he opened and
shut his hand in strangely restless
manner.
Sir" said Deborah, folding her arms
and scratching her elbow, Il do think
as offspring amt Jumps of dirt to be
trod on in this way. l arsk"-she flung
out her hand toward Sylvia-"is she
your own or is she not:'
''She is my daughter" said Aaron
mildly. "Why do you ask?'
"'Cause you don't take interest you
should take in her marriage, which is
made in heaven if ever marriage was"
Norman raised his head like war
horse at the sound of a trumpet call
'NNho talks of marriage?' he asked
sharply.
Dear father" said Sylvia gently,
did you not hear? l love Paul and
1 want to marry him."
Aaron stared at her HE is not q
good match for you" was his reply.
He is the man 1 love-" cried Sylvia,
tapping with her pretty foot.
Norman placed his fingers under Syl-
Was chin and tipped it up 50 that he
could gaze into her eyes. Child, do
you love him?" he asked gravely
"Oh, father!' whispered Sylvia and
said no more. The expression of her
eyes was enough for Aaron, and he
turned away with sigh.
You know nothing about him. he
said at length.
II should have explained before"
said the girl quietly and very distinct
saw him enter the shop six months
, ago. He came again and again, and
we often talked. Then he told me of
his love, and l confessed mine. Deb
orah wanted to know who he was
and if he was good man. From what
l learned of Paufs people he seemed
to be all that was good and generous
and high minded and loving. Deborah
sent Bart one holiday to Wargrove in
Essex, where Pauls parents live, and
Bart found that Paul had left home
| because he wanted to be an author
Paul is very popular in Wargrove, and
every one speaks well of him. So Deb
orah thought we might be engaged,
and
| "And have you a word to say against
it, sir?' demanded Deborah, bristling
| NO" said Aaron, after pause, but
you should have told me-"
I'VE should" admitted Sylvia quick
| iy. "but Paul and I feared lest you
should say No."
| my child" said the old man gave
| ly, so long as you wed a kind and
good man l have nothing to say. Syl-
via, l have worked hard these many
years and have made much money,
which, by will, 1 have left to you.
When / die, you will be rich. He is
poor"
"Paul-yes, he is poor. But what of
that?"
MANY fathers might think that an
objection" went on Aaron without no
ticing her remark. But do not You
shall marry Paul before go to Amer
lea"
"Lor'r' cried Deborah, whatever are
you a-gOin' there for, sir?''
/ That's my business" said Aaron
hryly, "but l go as soon as L can. /
have sold the books. and the furniture