The Durham recorder. [volume] (Durham, N.C.) 1879-19??, 1907-06-14

and so no sooner We're her worse fears
ldissipated than new fears took their
place.
She went for a ride with Daintree,
and he wearied her more than ever.
1t was heavenly June day, but lus-
cious fields and gorgeous sky were
nothing to the poetaster. His own
rhymes thereon at once usurped and
exhausted the subject. A volume of
his verse was in the press; every sight,
sound or word suggested quotation.
| Claire tried hard to think of all that
he had done. She found herself think
Ing Of Tom instead and in sheer de-
preston turned early homeward.
With the new year ame i'll tidings
from Australia. An investment had
turned out badly. Daintree's interests
In general were suffering from his abb
sence. The very next day James
Daintree led Claire Harding into her
fathers library and, even with his
face in happy flames, struck an atti-
tude before the writing table.
"She is miner he cried. "She has
consented to share the poets bays, to
divide with. Esau his inheritance in the
wildernessv' te
1t was notable that no consent was
asked Of Nicholas Harding. He sat
back In his chair, with a stiied sigh of
/ trVCraaIs "a Iln paliaf lot rn
got how his hands felt as he took both
of hers and drew her toward him.
"But you spoke of sailing at once"
said he, cloaking eagerness with an
air of extreme depreciation. "It would
have to be a very hurried affair"
The first cloud crossed Daintree's
face. r~.
"Ah, noe said he. II could not take
her at moments notice to a house
unfit for her reception. / must go and
prepare it for her. That is a stern
necessity. But you must bring her out
to me yourself in six months time"
Mr.. Harding shook his head. He
was public man.
"Then Lady Starllie must"
Mr.. Harding spoke warmly and I'M
selfishly In favor of an immediate mar
riage. to no purpose, however. They
had indeed made up their minds,
though the reason was not that which
Daintree had given. Vanity forbade
him to disclose the real reason. 1t was
her solitary but firm stipulation, and
so much for his brave desire to get
first to Sydney on Claire's account.
He was to sail in seven days.
Meanwhile the engagement was an
nounced in the Morning Post of Jan.
10.
On the 10Th Mr.. Harding found
note from Sir Emilius at his office:
sir--My Morning Post informs me that
q marriage has been arranged between
your daughter and my son. II you care
for the young lady's happiness, you viii
put stop TO this at once. Yours faith
fully. EMILIUS DAINTREE.
n. b. send this word of warning in
duplicate, both to your city and to your
private address. as ! think 1t hardly
likely that you will receive both copies
u my son - stili with you.
Mr.. Harding started to his feet. He
had not received the copy posted to his
house. Was the father a liar or the
son something worse? The fathers
reputation-stay!
II was the son.
lie had been down before Mr.. Hard
1ngr 4hnf I.aI
found him In the dining room when he
entered, and on his own plate were
such letters as he had received. Hard
ing seized his hat. then reflected.
changed color and took a pen himself.
The note which he subsequently dis
patched by hand was model of firm
ness, tempered by tact. He demanded.
however. an Immediate explanation OF
Sir Emillus Daintree's words. and the
messenger was to wait for an answer.
The messenger returned without one.
Then Mr.. Harding called In person.
Sir Emilius was not at home.
But next morning there was another
brief note at the office:
Dear slr-I have been thinking the mat
ter over. You have my sympathy. but
cannot enter Into details. l absolutely
decline 10 do so. You know the proverb.
and a word should be enough for the
wise. or you may so for your explanation
to my son, who will tell you II IS all my
spite. II II for you as a man Of the
world 20 believe or 20 dlsbelievc him on
that point WIN say, however. that so
far as | know my son IL not insane.
would TO heaven he were! Yours. etc,
EMILIUS DAINTREE.
Mr.. Harding was now n miserable
man. The very sight Of the betrothed
pair became an hourly agony. yet he
lacked either the courage or the will
20 interfere. Only four days remained.
lie called again on Sir Emilius Dain.
tree. but again the barouet was in.
visible.
This time Harding left an urgent
note. and yet another perfectly civil
one awaited him In the city next morn.
ing. II was TO be the last. however.
and said so plainly in the following
terms:
Ny Dear s.r-You must excuse my un-
willingness TO see you or 20 correspond |
further upon the little matter OF my son |
and your daughter. You will apprchend |
that the subject IL probably more painful |
TO me than To you. who have your rem. |
edy. have none. My son need never |
n. -.