The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1907-01-15
Story in the Family
BY w. r. Rose.

window sills at the caller. II caller
smiled back at them and drew a long
breath of the delicately perfumed air.
He was a young man who liked
roses and green fields and the charm
of the countryside. And he liked the
restful quiet of the little sitting room.
He arose quickly as a lady entered
the room.
Good morning, ma6ers."
Good morning."
She was a slender lady of perhaps
sixty, a gray haired lady of an old
fashioned type, a lady of much dignity
of movement, and yet with a quick
manner that at times suggested the
sprightliness of a bird.
She pressed her gold-rimmed glasses
little closer to her nose and care
fully surveyed the young man.
Il trust you are quite well,
madam"
quite we'll"
She drew her thin lips together.
IF it's books" she said, there
isn't any use of your staying a min
ute longer"
The caller smiled.
Pm not a book agent" he told her
rs it apple corers?'
I'm not peddler."
Il bought an apple corer of young
man who was something of your build
most three years ago 1t broke on
the second greening. He was a mite
stouter, perhaps" She paused and
again regarded him attenIIvely. IF
you are neither a book agent nor an
apple corer," she said, you may take
a chair"
Pardon me, madam" he said, my
name is Richard Barclay, and my
home is in New York. ] am in the
law Office of Renfrew & Darnley and
will be admitted to partnership in the
| firm the first of January"
There is nothing very startling
about that" said the lady, Perhaps
in time you will get arounu to the
business that brought you here"
i'Yes, madam. You have niece"
"Oh, it's my niece You want to
see?"
mo, madam, my busines is with
you"
You are the strangest young man
for beating around the bush l ever
met. Why don't you say what you
want, and be done with it,
Madam, l want your permission to
marry your niece"
| Il knew" she presently said, that
was taking great chances when Glare
made that visit to New York with
Louise Humphrey"
Il 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. l can give Glare
a modest home in nice neighbor-
hood, home in which there will al
ways be room for you, dear madam
The lady slightly shifted
You are getting ahead little toe
fast, young man. I've no thought of
moving just at present. Does Glare
know about this-this delightful ar
rangement"
Yes, madam"
It's all settled, then?"
mo, madam. 1t all depends on
you"
Again the lady slightly shifted.
MY piece was in New York just a
month. During that month you con
trived to persuade yourself that she
was the only girl in all the world yol
could care for. Did you, or did you
not?"
Il did, madam"
Seems nonsensical, doesn't it?"
mo, madam"
She shook her head at him reprov
ingly.
You look like a fairly sensible
young man. Does my niece recipro
cate this-the fanciful attachment?"
Yes, madam"
And she sent you to me?"
"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 -toity! And suppose re
fuse?"
I'VE can wait, madam
That's just what you should do
How SHY this seems. You have me
my niece twenty times, We'll say, an
no doubt think her the one perfec
flower of all girlhood. Do | use tn,
right expression?"
''Yes, madam"
"She drew the gray shawl littl
closer
do you appreciate what you ar
asking of me?" she suddenly flame,
out. What do we know about you?
Very little, madam. can only tel
you that i am clean and honest, an,
have a good profession"
"That is what you say" Then he