The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1907-05-10
Seleet Stprp.
DICKS PROPOSAL.
BY JAMES GRAY WADDELL

Madeline Kelter was really remark
ably pretty girl. Soft brown eyes, whose
occurrences was belied by a mischievous
light, seldom absent; dark brown hair,
clustering in hewitching curls over the
white forehead; features small and piquant,
matching a figure sylphlike and graceful
such were her charms, and she was every
whit as charming as she looked.
Furthermore, she dressed divlnely,
thanks to AS unstinted purse; for her faith
er, George A. Kelter, was a successful
broker, member of the Stock Exchange,
and she was bis only child.
In the natural order of things it followed
that sooner or later her existence must in
volve the happiness of some man, if not of
several.
Dick Rudford, at least, was one.
Having made the discovery at an early
stage of their acquaintance that she was
essential to his happiness, he at once set to
work to convince her that he was essential
to hers. His efforts were so far from being
fruitless that it only remained to lay the
combined facts before her father, in the
hope that what they involved would be
commensurate with his happiness also.
Unfortunately, there was every reason
to apprehend that Mr.. Kelter would prove
the obstacle which invariably hampers the
course of true love. Rudford was also a
stock broker, and, being particularly
smart young man, had made his presence
felt in the Stock Exchange.
So it came about that in one or two little
operations in which he had been opposed
to his hypothetical father law, that gen.
tleman had come out with by no means
flying colors. Not being Of magnani-
nous nature, his resentment was kindled
at being outdone by man SO much his
junior, for Rudford was only twenty-eight.
So when Dick proposed to beard the lion
in his den, his feelings were not entirely
those of unmixed joy.
II shall get kicked out, Maddie,
know" he said, disconsolately.
"Never mind, Dick, dear, she replied,
encouragingly. cam not worth the
risk of being kicked?'
eyes; but the process is unpleasant, and
l fear shall not take kindly to it, he
replied, with rueful smile. "However,
the thing has to be done so there is no use
shirking. 1 will see the old man tonight. y
They were lunching together in town
by no means rare occurrence-when this
momentous decision was made. Madge' S
movements were entirely unrestricted. Her
father, engrossed in his business, did not
interfere with her in any way. Since his
wifes death Mr.. Kelter had ceased to 60
into society, toward which he never had any
great leaning, though he did not hinder
his daughter from doing SO.
This partly explained his ignorance Of
the present state of affairs, for the young
people met one another constantly at the
houses of mutual friends.
Dick presented himself at Mr.. Kelter' s
mansion that evening with a mind full OF
misgivings. The process of demanding a
daughter hand from her stern parent is at
all times trying ordeal, even when ia
vorable reception may be expected.
But when, as in the present case, the
reverse was the greater probability, even a
rising stock broker might be parIoned a
certain amount of nervousness. "Bulls'
and ssbears' he could face vii h equanimi-
ty, but this was something altogether out
side his experience.
However, the thought of his little Mad
die braced him up, and when shown into
the august presence he was quite prepared
to risk being kicked out, or anything else,
for her sake.
Mr.. Kelter was surprised at the an
nouncement of his visitor. He was con,
siderably more surprised and much annoyed
when Dick, going straight to the point,
stated his business clearly and concisely.
But no emotion was betrayed, however; ii
was not his way.
"May ask" he said, quietly, eff my
daughter is aware of this proposal Of
yours?''
Certainly, SIR replied Dick. "She
has already promised to marry me; your
consent is the only thing required.
Mr.. Kelter, in his own mind, promised
his daughter a pleasant ten minutes.
cit would have been as well to have as,
certained my views on the subject before
coming to this interesting arrangement,
he said, dryly". Such course would
have saved you both much disappointment,
in view of the fact that utterly decline te
sanction anything of the sort. -
''May l ask the nature of your objec.
tions?' said Dick, quietly.
81 have other views for my daughter
that is sufficient; SO you may consider the
matter at an end" And he turned to his
papers as an intimation that the interview
also was at an end.
Dick rose This brusque treatment was
somewhat exasperating, and, as q conse.
quence, his parting shot was neither con
ciliatory nor diplomatic.
''Since you decline to justify your atti
tude, decline to consider the matter al
an end," he retorted. eff judge your
daughter rightly, she will marry me with.
out your consent, if necessary.
Mr.. Kelter shrugged his shoulders,
without deigning glance at the audacious
young man.
teTbot ru;ll ha hor offa;r', bo ropliad