The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1907-12-02
Chaptcr x-contlnued.

"Stop-plcase? Has my son been
foolish enough to rouse hopes?"
4 NO: never word said. But he'll do
lit IL you ask him. Why shouldn't he?
My girl isn't the sort to friglten 4
man and there's money behind hcr
Sir John laughed. and was about TO
rise.
..Ically, this is rather absurd Ny
son Is over thirty
He'd do what you tell him. Please
don't answer me now. ]. ask you 10
think 1T over
"Mr. Crunden-what shall say?
We have very different views for our
son. When he marries, 1t viii not. n
think. b. for money and 1t will be III
his own walk OF life-that Is, II he mar
rics with my consent"
"Dont answer me. Sit down, sir.
and hear ne out: then think it over.
Your lads thirty--more'n old enough
TO be settled. What goods he doing
loafing--I should say. strolltns--abott
the town here? Where's he drifting.
where's he dropping to-while he waits
his turn--till you are gomez"
Sir John pushed back his chair.
Don't mind how I put 1t. Take the
sense. not the words. I'm in earncst--
bitterly in earnest. IT'S the wisest
thing you could do for him. You say:
Marry with your conscnt--suppose he
doesn't ask IL; s'pose he comes and
tells you he means to marry some bar
maid at the White Hart. or singing
wench from the theatre? You can't
stop him. Let him take my girl. He'll
get a girl wflo--who'll love him with
all her heart when he asks her to 10
it-and I'll move out OF their way. l
won't disgrace them. Old Hedgehog
Crunden Will disappear down the next
| hedge row.
Sir John rose and stood. hat in hand.
! ."Ihere!s This Is my offer, Sir John.
I am bitterly in earnest. Think OF it,
don't answer. It's a fair bargain. Let
me have tile son-in-law I've set my
dreams on, and I'll save Hill Rise. I
can do it-somehow. Ill do 1t for you,
and I'll settle twenty thousand--ln cash
or ground remission them two: and you
shall settle Fill House. to come to them
when you are gone. There: that's the
bargain. Take time. to think OF it"
Really. time is not necessary. ! have
explained that really 1t can't be
thought Of seriousy."
"NoSno! Don't answer"
| The ease OF manner and smiling self
possession of Sr, John had vanished.
| He had been vastly surprised, consid-
erably embarrassed he appeared to
make an effort to summon back the
unrufiled presencL of the great Sir
( y
meetings, magistrates bench. etc. But
1.-The effort was not entirely succcssful;
kind feeling, perhaps. warred with
outward dignity.
R Really, he said IT must, at all
costs, DO explicit. Impossible. Your
| bargain is impossible. Mr.. Crunden
4 we are born with our. ices-fool-
| isll prejudlces 1T may be--but we can't
shake them off,
l45 ''ThinlS a over " Esll
II don't wish to be discourteous; but
4 II you ca II only help us on these iterrls--
1 in the plninest words--Ls would rather
see Hill Rise in the hands Of the specu-
lative builders.
$50 that's your answer" |
Eyes, that's my answer. Mr.. Crun-
den"
Old crundenS pulled himself together,
4 gave his head n shall e, and. before he
(sspoke, NOV a towards the front door.
Very good, sir. All right. That's
\ over. and done With. Please forget
what I've said, Please don't so away
Land laugh at me.
NO., said sir John at the door, s''no.
Iccrtainly not.
'.Id ask you, humbly, Sir John, as q
favor neverJto speak OF it--to any ono.
Notft to Mr.. Vincent himself"
Not to hinl?' and Sir John hesi-
lstat.d, "A Eyes lie said kindly. Very
WISH" and no offered his hand, Lets
both forget all about IT, s
THANK YOU" said Crunden, not
seeming to see the offered hand. T. I
me open the door for you, Sir John
And he stood by the door. Blowing low,
as Sir John passed out. ,l
Llzzle. upstairs In her room, heard
| the front door shut, and, looking out nj
| her latticed window. saw the Visitor
L walk across the road, SHE came bound
/ ing down the stairs ran through this
pnrlor. and burst into the sltting-room
| "Father." 5s IA
| si"NVell?N gs5ss *
| She was holding a hand to her Side
as though sudden fear or haste llad
J taken her hleat til away; her lips trenll