Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1909-01-17

The Ring and the Man
Continued from page II

day. If he wins this election and goes on as he
should, there is reason why he should not
be President of the United States | believe it
would be easier to be elected to that Office than
to be made Mayor. And while l do not feel
toward him as l should toward the man | will
some day marry, yet there is everything else
IN the prospect that allures.
But you Haldane you are Stuyve-
SAINT you are"
Il know mother all that my ancestors were
As for myself, | am just an American girl who
likes American men and American institutions
and is glad to see people do things.
7 PRESUME" said Haldane who had said
little but had thought deeply that such a
proposition, if definitely made, would be made
to me.
We'll, then, of course, said his wife, You
Will give but one answer.
And what would you suggest that should
be-" asked Haldane.
To show him the door"
Il hardly think, returned her husband
that l should be guilty of that dlscourtesv.
There is use, interposed her daughter
:" to discuss the matter IL any way any further;
for he hash t asked me, | haven't accepted
him. | don't know whether he ever will ask
not, and until he does why trouble
about it"
Il am sure" returned Mrs Haldane, that
| should never have given it a second thought
If had been certain that you appreciated the
obligations of your position. Why, you might
be a Duchess or an ything else! And vet You
are actually hesitating about being the wife of
a shopkeeperp
No, mother, | am not hesitating about it
at all; for, as have said, he hasn't asked me
to be his wife"
We'll, what does he mean then by telling
you that he loves you: Loves!" sneered the
elder woman disdainfully.
YES" said her father, it seems to me a
rather remarkable course for man to address
a woman in that way, and yet not complete his
proposal"
He said something was impending that
made him feel 1t was proper to tell me this
now
Something impending?"
Some sort of disclosure | Inferred an
swered the girl, that might affect him pos
sibly me-"
Iialdane started. well" he said, % do not
quite agree with your mother. There is no
insult in the honest affection of any honest
man OF course, it is absurd and impossible
from one point of view for of Mr. CORN
ly's social rank and position and privileges to
dream of aspiring to family like ours,-your
mothers; and mine, which may say is quite
as good as hers, by the way. But if he APP
proaches you again upon the subject, wish
you would refer him to me-
"Beekman!'' exclaimed the elder woman,
greatly surprised. You don't mean"
Now, l don't mean anything, except Just
what | say" answered Haldane decisively
1t IS proper that such a proposal should be
made to me; and in short | very greatly
desire to be allowed to discuss the matter,
if it goes any further, with Mr.. Gorrnly per-
sonally."
Haldane spoke sternly and his wife at once
subsidized, she invariably did when he
assumed that mood. Eleanor, however was
not SO easily silenced.
"Of course, IN any event You would be con-
suited, father, she said firmly; but 50 far as
the disposition of my hand goes, that is a mat
ter that concerns my heart, and it is one which,
though | should be very glad of Your counsel
and your approval, shall have to decide
myself
Quite SO, quite SO" said Haldane. Il have
no other idea"
A T this moment, which threatened to grow
more tense, Livingstone Haldane entered
the room He greatly perturbed and
alarmed Father" he said abruptly, II
want to you alone for moment or two,
pleased"
Have You had your luncheon, Living
stone!" asked his mother.
"Yes-no-I don't care anything about
it." returned the young man. I'm too
busy and too disturbed for anything of that
kind"
What has happened?" began Haldane,
rising.
Why, Mr.. Gormly- But l would rather