The Miller press. [volume] (Miller, S.D.) 190?-current, 1909-07-22

after the county championship has
been decided"
The sailor grew little irritated
DO you realize, sir" he said, that
this is very momentous occasion in
my life and in the life of your daugh-
ter? | want to marry Daisy. | am
not without private means; that is to
say, / have between seven and eight
hundred year of my own, and when
my father, Admiral Sir Hercules Mar
riott, dies, | suppose / shall have an
other fifteen hundred or SO. | shall
be prepared to make all the proper
settlements. /"
Your father!" said the rector.
Dear me! dear me! this is most in
teresting. Does he play now, Cap
tain MARRIOTT"
"Play?" Basil answered. 81 thought
| told you, sir, that my father was a
retired naval officer. / shall, of
course, succeed to the title when he
goes, though l hope it won't be for
many years. My father Is not
gambler, Mr.. Hobson."
The old gentleman had looked at
him strangely, with an infantile and
puzzled air.
Gambler" he said. "Who spoke
about gambling? l meant, of course,
does he play croquet?"
mo; as far as / know, he does
not" Basil answered, rather shortly.
That's a pity" the old gentleman
irNn cd n oil tt,ar 20
all interest in the discussion.
Then you give your CONSENT"
Basil asked
"Oh, by all means, by all MEANS"
the old gentleman returned. Il be-
lieve l said so before. Besides, Daisy
is such sensible girl. She would
never make a mistake. She knows
exactly what she is doing; in fact,
you know, Captain Marriott, it is
simply owing to Daisy's occupation in
London that / am able to keep my
younger son and daughter at decent
schools. Daisy, in fact, is a thorough
business woman. I was delighted to
see her back here the other day. 1t
is always so refreshing to have Daisy
at home, and really, with little more
training, she would be capital long
distance shot"
By this time Basil had realized
something of the occasion.
II am afraid" he said, that Daisy
won't be at home very long. In fact,
Mr.. Hobson, she is going away with
me this afternoon"
Dear me! dear mel" said the old
gentleman. Surely this is very sud
den! Are you going to get special
license?"
1T is not that at ALL" Basil an
swered. "But-read this!"
He handed the rector the telegram
from the Duchess which summoned
his daughter to town once more.
The old gentleman read it through
with quiet precision.
"Oh, l see," he said. DAISY told
ton with the Duchess Of London, but
apparently 1t is to be resumed. She
Is to travel with the Duchess, is she?"
yes; she is going to Germany to-
night with the Duchess"
Germany" the old gentleman
Der Germany! Do you know, l was
the chaplain years ago, Captain Mar
riott at Bad Firstenberg, when my
poor dear wife was alive. We spent
some pleasant years there, before
was appointed to this living. / was
very happy in those days, but, of
course, they were not as they are
now. You would hardly believe it,
Captain Marriott, but years ago we
had a large central cage, and the
bell in full swing, while the mallets
were so small as also were the balls,
that 1t was impossible for any scien-
tific work. Indeed. though I tried to
lish residents of the Bad-even under
those distressing conditions-very lit
tie interest was taken in it."
Basil was at loss.
He did not know what more there
was to say. He realized that the old
gentleman was quite outside the or
binary scheme of things.
lO HIS cuOTluOuS TSlitl, dl that IuO-
ment Daisy had come into the draw
ing room. She wore long travelling
coat of dark green and round felt
hat.
Dad" she said, has Basil told
your"
Basil thrilled at the use of his
Christian name. He had never known
how sweet his name was before.
Eyes, yes, my DEAR" the old gen.
tleman answered. "You are going to
Germany with the Duchess, are you
not? And then you are coming back
to be married to Captain Marriott. 1t
seems a most excellent arrangement
and l am sure you would do nothing
unbusinesslike or stupid. She is such
a business woman, Captain Marriott"
he concluded, his watery blue eyes
straying through the open windows
towards the beloved croquet-green.
Goodbye. father" Daisy said, kiss
ing the old man. I'VE haven't got
very much time to catch the train.
Basil has the carriage here. My
trunk Is ready. We are going on at