The silver messenger. (Challis, Idaho) 1890-1912, 1909-01-05

brary. Mrs. Sloan was very much a
woman of the world, yet 1t was evil
dent that there was an undercurrent
of feeling beneath her air OF calm
attention. The young man before her,
though usually OF enviable self-posses-
sion, wore an expression approaching
guilt. The fact was that Mr.. Simms
Mr.. G. F.. S. Simms, North Carolina,
his card read, in the generous style in
which southerners imply that they are
known throughout their state-Mr.
Simms was asking Mrs. Sloan for the
privilege of marrying her daughter,
and Mrs. Sloan very properly had
asked him several questions, one of
which he had declined to answer
Hence the strained situation.
Not that it should be inferred for a
Ing person as Mrs. Sloan had not
made investigation anent Mr.. Smms,
and his position, financial and social,
long before his ardor had reached the
present crisis. Left for many years
widow, she had proved herself an ex-
cellent woman Of business, and when
young Simms became devoted to
Nathalie, she had, as matter Of
course, written to a lawyer in the
town from which he came, and asked
certain questions which she felt sure
that Mr.. Sloan would have asked had
he been living.
The reply had been satisfactory. G.
X g SfnFnu ho child
heir of McRae Simms, a man rich.
philanthropic and eccentric Mr.
Simms had left his son this, that, and
the other real estate, valued at an
amount that would have gone far to
content Mrs. Sloan had his social posi-
ton been not SO satisfactory as it
was. She knew, besides, that he had
come to Boston we'll introduced, was
a member of two good clubs, was good
looking, with the dark hair and eyes
that nOrtherners think is more typical
of the south than is true, and was
well read, and altogether a desirable
match for Nathalie.
OF course Nathalie knew nothing of
her mothers researches. She had
been asked to be the handsome young
fellows wife, and she had said that
she would IL mamma was willing.
There was look in her blue eyes-a
look strikingly like her mothers, too
that said that she would even if
mamma were not willing.
And now this painful interview. 1t
had not been painful until after Mrs
Sloan had asked her questions-very
spontaneously, be it said to the credit
of her dramatic power-and received
replies to them which corrOborated
her North Carolina correspondent, and
at last had said with her most gracious
smile, for she could be very winning:
MY dear Mr.. Simms, see no rea-
son why you and Nathalie should not
be happy. and as for me, l shall be
glad to have son as we'll as daugh-
ter"
Simms had beamed upon her, and
had thought her charming, with her
fine figure. and snow-white hair rolled
high above her still fresh face.
But she spoiled it all. Mr.. Simms
had known that it must come, sooner
or later, but he wished that it had
not come just now, when he was so
happy.
1T seems curious to think that,
though we know you SO well, we don't
know your first name. What am | to
call my SOM"
Mr.. Simms flushed, but answered
without hesitation: my family and
my intimate friends have always
called me c."
&C? How very strange! and what
is 1t really?"
"Oh, curious name of my fathers
selection. I've told you, haven't |,
that he was eccentric?"
Il always say that child ought not
to have name until he is old enough
to be consulted about it, And yours
is Systematically.
Simms felt that he must take his
stand at once, and he replied with
decision.
my name. Mrs. Sloan. is very dis
agreeable to me, and | have never
used anything but my initials. My
family and friends, as l said, have
called me c. and l should prefer not
to tell my Christian name even to
you"
1t was here that Mrs. Sloan's ap-
pearance of calm attention was
rufiied just a wee bit by the irritation |
she was experiencing, and that the
young man on the other side of the
room wore a distinctly guilty look.
But wouldn't 1t be better for us
to talk 1t over frankly now? You see
there will be so many questions asked
about newcomer. Norham is like
Concord and Andover-it requires a
residence of three generations, at
least, to remove the stigma of being a
late arrival
She said it very well, but she had
met with an obstinacy equal to her
own.
Should it ever be necessary. Mrs.
Sloan, you may depend upon me for
the necessity; and, until then.
let me ask that you will not refer to
the matter"
And Nathalie?"
Il suppose | may see her now"
SimmS Wilfullv micupdar