Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-01-26

his usual cleverness he has contrived a
! it. Now, don't think you are quarrel
some man as a general thing?"
| Not l. Too much trouble to quarrel with
people"
WELL I'll just ask you to give Laura and
myself. your benediotion, and leave the rest
| to u.s.
Slade let off his limp laugh. IF a we'd
ding present of such dubious value will
| please you, I'm most pleased to give Il.
Especially as / see you're inclined to stick
| to my little girl. To tell the truth Ia
heard you were after somebody else and it
made me rather mad. You know how ru-
mors float about in the BUSH"
Carriers lips frightened. who's the other
"Oh, just my present employer-and youH
late one. But I've no doubt it's all a mis-.
take"
she'll indorse that sentiment most thor
oughly. don't think Miss ONeill's per-
son to throw herself away on one of hep
own eX-servants"
Slade chuckled. IF YOU put II that way
I'm sure she isn't: BY the way, do YOU
know who she is?"
What do you mean?"
well, / suppose you've discovered by this
time that the late Godfrey O'Neill was IL
bachelor and Kate's no relation to him at
all. He and his sister Jane, who married
hopeless blackguard called Craven, adopt
ed her between them and brought her up
I've never tagged myself to find out how
she was bred, but you're one of these en-
ergetic fellows that like to dig into pedi-
grees and l thought probably you'd know"
Il don't know, and I shant inquire
"All right, don't get excited about il,
neither shall 1. Dye know I think il you
could soften that genial manner without
straining yourself 1t would be an improve
ment I'm led to believe that fathers-n-
law expect civilty and even at times a
certain mild amount of Difference"
Did you defer to your father-n-law?'
asked Carter brutally
The tone was insulting and the meaning
plain, and ninety-nine men out of a hum
bred In similar place would have re-
sented it iercely. But Slade merely yawn-
ed. His sallow face neither twitched nor
changed its tint. He got up and stretched
himself lazily. so that's the trouble. Is
when chose a wife, and didn't ask you
to fall in love with my daughter" lie
turned his head and eyed Carter Thoughts
poser
Can you suggest any other possible rea.
son why should ask her to marry me?''
wei, l can hardly imagine you did it
for the honor of an alliance with me.
suppose II were an energetic man
should try and worry out what 1t is you're
so sore about. 1t must be something be-
yond the detail that Lauras got touch
of color in her, because of course you knew
that from the first moment you met her
But I guess the something else will show
itself in it's own good time. In the mean
while II you'll give me account of what
you advanced Laura for this Grand Canary
trip I'll give you an l. o. u. for it. ] donE
care to be indebted to any one for things
like that"
TN perhaps send in the bill when I hear
there's a possibility of getting cash pay
ment," said Carter dryly.
And then for the first time Slade lost his
temper, and he cursed his future son-in-
law with all an old coasters point and
duency. Every man has his tender point,
and here was Owe-it SHADES. Throughout
ha
could help 1t. and he had accepted the con-
sequent remarks of injured parties with an
easy philosophy. But it seemed he owned
a nice discrimination; some items were
debts of honor" and these he had always
sooner or later contrived to settle. And the
account which he decided he owed Carter
for Laura's maintenance in Grand Canary
he set down as one which no gentleman
could leave unpaid without besmirching his
gentility.
CTo be Concluded Tomorrow