The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1907-05-10

calmly. "Of course, she may 60 her own
way if she pleases, and-take the conse-
quences. "
There was nothing more to be gained by
prolonging the interview after this delivery
of their respective ultimate, and Dick took
his departure, boiling inwardly.
When he had gone, Mr. Kelter rang
bell, and servant quickly answered the
summons.
"Ask Madeline to come here" he said
curtly.
Madeline duly appeared, ready for the
fray, for which her knowledge of Dick S
visit had already prepared her.
81 have just had visit from Mr.. Rud-
ford," began Mr.. Kelter, with calmness
which was ominous. II am given to un-
derstand that you were aware Of his er-
randi
eyes, papa," she demurely replied.
"He tells me you have promised to
marry him?'
eyes, papa," still more demurely.
(Which promise was made, of course,
subject to my approval he went on, dry
ly. "I disapprove entirely, and have not
the slightest intention of allowing you to
keep it, as I have already informed Mr..
Rudford.''
every unkind of you, papa. And
why? He is really good man.
'sHe is not the sort of man | would
choose for you; that is enough. Should
you marry him in defiance of my wishes,
YOU shall never touch a dollar of my
money
The threat was probably called forth by
a sudden doubt on Mr.. Kelter s part as to
whether his veto would prove sufficient
his daughters dsmeanor displaying GER
tain quiet obstinacy new to him, her will
having never before entered into conflict
with his own on any vital point.
Every well, papa, DEAR" she replied,
cheerfully. II shall have to marry Dick
some day; he has my promise, and can
90 back on that. AS for the money, you
will have to leave it to found an orphanage
or something of that sort. That would be
so nice for the orphans, poor dears. "
At this point Mr.. Kelter did thing
rare with him; he lost his temper. His
clinched fist came down on the table with
a crash that made everything jump, the
prelude to a terrific Grafton to which there
was no listener, for his daughter had pre-
cipitately fled from the rising storm.
Madeline did not rush off to her room
1 l~o,.oalf 81 kboh ha1 With tho
and lamentations customary in such cases.
No, she went away and wrote very
sweet letter to Dick, in which the mis-
chievous element appeared only once, when
she congratulated him upon having made
a dignifed departure without the aid Of
feet other than his own.
cat least" she wrote, ~ judge that
your departure was dignifed, there being
an utter absence of sounds which would
indicate otherwise.
She went on to tell her dear boy not to
worry-that things would all come right in
the end, and that if it came to the worst,
she would just have to marry him without
the parental consent. "Only, in that case,
Dick, dear, you would probably have te
take me in the frock stand in, and with
out any other worldly possessions. The
letter concluded with promise to lunch
with him on the morrow.
And very delightful lunch they had,
perhaps all the more SO that they knew ii
was stolen fruit in the light of Mr.. Kelter'
contumacy, which was discussed in all Its
bearings and characterized as wholly illog.
ical.
ssHe has his knife into me, Maddie,
and no mistake" said Dick, resentfully.
s'Never mind" =" replied Madeline, cheer
fully, cit has to come out again-that' s all,
or papa is not going to have a rosy time.
So, Dick, dear, you may be quite happy.
We shall see just as much of one another
as heretofore, and in another year, let us
say-a year is not very long time, Dick,
and papa may give in before then if he
sees we are determined-I will marry you,
with or without his consent; although, as
l told you, in the latter case the frock
wear may represent all my possessions. y
'sThat's all right, Maddie, answered
Dick, recklessly; II will get you lots
more
Then she went off to do some shopping
while he went to the Stock Exchange, and
had bad time, hampered as he was by q
pair of soft brown eyes which would in
trude themselves upon him, and for the
possession of which he was little inclined
to wait whole year.
Brown eyes are by no means desirable
subject for reflection where "bulls' and
"bear'' are rampant; and Dick, when hs