Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1907-11-13
A Last Resource
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81 decline to accept this girl as my
daughter-in-law," said the Squire.
1T is because you do not know her
you say that" rejoined his son. -
ST do not know her, as you say, nor
do intend to make her acquaintance"
was the grim response.
"YOu are cruelty unjust" cried
Godfrey, in sudden heat
The elder man shrugged his shout
ders.
ALLOW me to remind you that you
must have been fully aware from the
first what my sentiments would be-
mo, sir, l was not. 1 knew, of
course, that there had been some sort
Of a quarrel between you and her
father, but I thought you would look
over that when you found how neces-
sary she was to my happiness"
The Squire smiled a bitter smile.
"I gave you credit for greater wis
DOM" said he "WelI, if you INDUCED
IN illusions before, you are undeceived
now I hope"
'And you really mean that you re-
fuse your consent to my marriage with
Mia Harvey?''
''I really mean that 1 refuse my con-
sent to your marriage with Mia Har-
Yey," repeated the Squire, unfalter-
hgly.
''There is no more to be said, them"
rejOined Godfrey, and was turning
away when his father stopped him.
"Waitr" he exclaimed. do you
realize the consequences of disobedience
to my wishes?"
Il suppose I do; I suppose that 1
must not ever bring Nita hOme-here,
that she would not be admitted"
The Squire gave vent to short
laugh
'sThere is more involved than the
closing of the doors of Hilton Hall
against her. There is the loss of your
income"
The young man looked full at his
father.
"You would stop my allowanceY'
Certainly 1 should" came the
prompt reply.
GeOffrey's mouth twitched; but it
was with no sign of discontinue he
rejoined: 81 should have to turn to
and work, then"
EYES," quOth the other, laconically,
adding: "And now 1 trust you under
stand the position?"
The young man bowed his head: 81
do, sir"
Squire Hilton prided himself on
never forgetting a kindness or forgiv-
ing an injury, and years before there
had been bad blood between himself
and his neighbor. Denis Harvey, over
a matter of boundary. The dispute
had never been satisfactorily settled,
and Denis, who came of gambling
stock, lost the last of his patrimony
ut cards one night, and with his wife
and child disappeared from the ken
Of his acquaintance.
And now Godfrey, Squire Hilton's
only and well beloved son, had come
down from London for the express pur-
pose Of announcing his engagement to
the daughter of this erstwhile neigh
Dor.
Denis had died in poverty and dis
grace in Paris. His wife was also
dead, and his daughter was earning
her livelihood as governess to a brood
Of unruly children.
1t was when visiting the parents of
these same children that Godfrey had
met her, and 1t was some small act of
courtesy he rendered her that started
a friendship between them, which
friendship very speedily ripened into
the warmer sentiment Of love.
Godfrey expected that his father
would not be best pleased at his news,
but his expectations fell far short of
the reality.
But though the Squire's reception of
the announcement was a disagreeable
revelation to him, it in no wise affected
his resolve to marry Mia.
1t was mconYenient, very, this cut
t1ng-off of supplies. But he had a few
hundreds-a gOdmother's legacy-in