The Democratic advocate., 1908-01-24
FRIDAY AFTERNOON, JANUARY "a. 1908
Triumph q Opposition
BY F, HARRIS DEANS

lOTCcO W dSSOCldCc Will Jou Couoeaheiy Iuoo
is repugnant to me.
''Well, hate you, anyhow said the
girl. Apparently she meant it.
"When [ said [ didn't hate you,'
amended the young man suddenly, 81 was
only sparing your feelings
"Thank you," said the girl, scornfully.
"When I marry" she continued, cit
will be man who is going to make name
in the world" :"
''You mean, suggested the young man,
Zone who tells you he is. | could say 1t
myself, come to that. -
stYoup she cried.
81 don't see that it s so absurd,'' he
said, shortly.
"Naturally you wouldn't"
''The girl shall marry" he announced,
aggressively, "will be one who is capable Of
thought; clever girl
"That's what you say; whereas you Il
probably marry girl who thinks you
clever
"Wel?'' he demanded.
'Nothing," she said; "that's all. y
81 suppose" he suggested, after
moment Of intense thought, "you think
that s smart. -
The girl nodded brightly.
Whereas he pointed out firmly, ''it's
merely rude.
"The truth" said the girl, with far
away look in her eyes, "would naturally
appear rude to some people"
The young man leant back in his chair
with a sneer and lit cigarette.
"Anybody can talk like that" he re
marked at length, eff they didn't mind
much what people thought Of them. "
"Well, 1 don't mind what you think of
me-" said the girl, honestly.
Isuppose not, " he assented. "When
a girl s been thrown over"
"You haven't thrown me over she
cried, trife breathlessly. GIVE thrown
you over
Excuse me,' said the young man,
coldly, ''who proposed the marriage?'
"Of COURSE she said, eff you blame
me for my uncls's actions.
"Im not blaming you at all, - he stated
I'm simply pointing out facts
"Uncle is perfect idiot!' she burst
out.
"Oh, well, 'demurred her companion,
s'it's only natural he should want to see
you happy. You We been like daughter
to him."
sThat's where he IS m IDIOT" said the
girl blandly. "He wants me to be happy
and yet marry you.
'sDon't you find, suggested the young
man mildly, "that it's just as easy to be
polite as rude?''
"No," was the decided reply.
"I'm glad" was the genial comment,
"you're doing it because it's easier. I
was thinking perhaps you thought it was
clever"
There was long pause.
'I dare say some girls might like you
said the girl, refectively.
'sThat must be fearful strain on your
imagination" suggested the young man.
s'Because,' she went on conclusively,
s'even our curate' married. -
''That's pity said the young man,
vindictively, having seen the curate and
his wife; ''otherwise there might yet be
hope for you"
eff you weren't my guest p cried the
girl, rising.
"Pardon me-" he protested. "Tm
not your guest.
.'Oh!" she gasped, gazing round help
lessly.
"Pm here as prospective part owner,'
explained her cousin. eff | marry you
we shall share it between us.
eff you marry me p cried the girl con-
trolling herself with an effort.
II think that was what your uncle said "
"You mean, if marry you |" she cried,
stormily.
"Comes to the same thing" he argued.
"You needn't look upset, he went on.
"You'll be all right. Horace is bound to
suit you
"What's he like?'' she inquired, cur
iosity overcoming her anger.
'.O-h, all right. Bit soft, you know.
Doesn' smoke, or drink, or-fact is, he
doesn't do anything much
"And you think he'll suit me?'' she
said, slowly.
The young man nodded.
The girl jumped to her feet.
'sYou' re horrid, mean cad p she cried.
stSeems to me, said the young man,
aggrievedly, I'm only wasting my time
when try to be nice to you.
eff you have been trying to be nice,"
she said, emphatically, ''you are
With vindictive glance, she made for
the door.
ssWhere are you off to ?''he demanded.
"I'm going to tell uncle that hate,
loathe, and despise you, !" she said, deliber
ately.
ssTell him you won tmarry me?''
81 shall let him-er-deduce that"
she said, as she slammed the door behind
her.
X X X X
ssSo,'' said the uncle after dinner that
evening, ssnothing will induce you to
marry
"That's about it, said his nephew.
"I'd sooner beg my bread from door to
door," cried the girl.
can unsatisfactory means Of getting
livelihood, commented her uncle
"Horace will be down Tomorrow he
continued, $50 there will be no need to
conSne yourself to a bread diet for few
days. 1 may say, candidly, that I'm
verv nleased at the decision you We come
to. Horace will be much more suita-
BE match for you, Millicent. You may
regard my suggestion as to you-er-
coming to some agreement with John as
Withdrawn. Even were you to alter your
mind I should refuse to consent. !