Lincoln County leader. [volume] (Toledo, Lincoln County, Or.) 1893-1987, 1909-05-14

That he could mean his son all this time
never entered Harold Denison's head. He
certainly knew he had a son, but, mix
Ing SO little as he did In the county now,
he had barely seen him, nor had he, but at
odd times, even heard of him.
But who Is 1t, man? Let's know the
name of this bashful suitorl It's a
quality one sees little enough Of in these
days"
my son, Mr.. Denison, Is the gentle.
man who solicits your permission to do
his best to win your daughter"
"Your son ! Why"-and here the SQUIRE
stopped, perfectly thunderstruck. 1t was
a levelling age, he knew: that the tide
Of democracy was at the food he was
aware; that our cherished institutions
were looked on with disdain, that there
were people who saw no virtue in coro-
nets, and thought an Established Church
worn-out institution that It would be
as well to do away with, he had heard
| but that the son of a confounded money
lending attorney should presume to dream
Of mating with Denison of Glinn he
had never contemplated. For a few min
utes he was literally speeches.; then all
the pride Of race surged up. He came
Of a line of whom it had been often said
that their tongues were as sharp and
ready as their swords.
Excuse me-" he remarked 81 was not
aware that the times were so far advanc-
ed that our daughters were regarded as
salabe commodities out Of their own
class of life. l was not aware that the
social gap between myself and my solici-
tor was so effectually bridged over. Your
son. sir, will have to take his chance
with the young man from the butchers
and Mr.. Muffatee, who keeps the diapers
establishment in Xminster. l shall not
presume to influence Miss Denison in her
choice"
Old Pearman had many times In the
course Of his career moralized upon the
weakness of losing ones temper about
anything, but the squire's sneer brought
the blood to his pale temples.
"You take a high hand, sir-a high
hand. l asked you to listen to me pa
tiently, and you insult me. l spoke to
you humbly enough to start with; but
1 tell you now that wealth chooses its
mate from blood in these days, and that
|
married not a bit better lineage than
mine"
Perhaps 30. People forget themselves
in all classes and forfeit their social
status; but it's getting time for money
grubbers to learn one thing, and that is
that possession of all the gold in Cali
fornia does not constitute a gentleman,
or entitle q man to claim alliance with
gentle blood"
The old solicitors lips quivered, and
his lean fingers played nervously with his
watch chain, as he replied:
II did not come here to argue our
mutual social position. l came here tc
afford an embarrassed man, for whom
have a sincere regard in spite of all the
hard names he heaps upon me, an oppor
tunity Of freeing himself from those en-
tanglements. l advanced a proposition
which gave him chance OF in some way
repairing the evil that the early follies
of his youth had entailed on his child
) destined to pay her full share of such in
dlscretons. The days of such prejudces
are past, l tell you, Mr.. Denison; ant
once more l ask you not to give me al
answer now, but to reflect upon the pro
posal l have made to you"
You do us too much honor, Mr.. Pear
man. Permit me to observe that mus
decline all further consideration Of the
subject. l am perfectly convinced the al
lance you propose with such deliciou!
oblivion Of all status of society would bt
extremely unsuitable. Allow me to max,
Miss Denison's Acknowledgements for tht
distinction you would have conferred upor
her, and to ring for your carriage"
Very good, sir-very good" cried thu
old attorney, as he rose in his wrath
"the time will come, maybe when you'll
think that old Sam Pearman would hav,
been good man to have had at your back
l say nothing, Mr.. Denison; but you'll
find that you have not made many great
er mistakes in your career than this morn
ing's work" And, muttering to himself
the irate old gentleman left the room.
81 wonder what the world is comm,
to !" muttered Harold Denison. 9Th
idea of child of mine marrying the sol
: of a money-lending solicitor"
Then his thoughts reverted to that tel
: thousand pound mortgage, and the angr.
: words of the old man at parting, and h
: reflected, moodily, that there was littl
y likelihood of much time being granted
anent the payment of the interest in flu
= ture indeed, it was more than probable
that Pearman, in his anger, would call il
e his money All which considerations 'har
assed Harold Denison's mind not little
:. and he thought, if it had to be done again
u he would reject the old lawyers propose
with rather more courtesy.
Ito be continued)
, A Valuable Clew.
A woman ontpred 81 nolica sta ation 4,