The San Juan islander. [volume] (Friday Harbor, Wash.) 1898-1914, 1909-03-26

utes he was literally speechless: then an
the pride OF race surged up. He came
Of line Of whom it had been often said
that their tongues were as sharp and
| ready as their swords.
Excuse me-" he remarked: IT was not
aware that the times were so far advanc-
ed that our daughters were regarded as
salable commodities out of their own
class of life. l was not aware that the
social gap between myself and my solicit
tor was so effectually bridged over Your
son, sir, will have to take his chance
with the young man from the bulcher's.
and Mr.. Muffatee, who keeps the lraper's
establishment in minister. l shall nos
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
tlently, and you insult me. l spoke to
you humbly enough to start with; but
l tell you now that wealth chooses its
mate from blood in these days, and that
many as well-born as Miss Denison have
| married not bit better lineage than
mine.'
Perhaps so. 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 a 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:
Il did not come here to argue our
mutual social position. 1 came here to
afford an embarrassed man, for whom l
have 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 a 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
discretions. The days of such prejudices
are past, 1 tell you, Mr.. Denison; and
once more l ask you not to give me an
answer now, but to reflect upon the pro-
posal l have made to YOU"
"You do us too much honor, Mr.. Pear
man. Permit mesto observe that l must
decline all further consideration of the
subject. l am perfectly convinced the al
lance you propose with such a delicious
oblivion of all status of society would be
extremely unsuitable Allow me to make
Miss Denison's Acknowledgements for the
distinction you would have conferred upon
her, and to ring for your carriage"
Every good, sir-very good" cried the
old attorney, as he rose in his wrath
1.-THE time will come, maybe, when you'll
think that old Sam Pearman would have
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.
Il wonder what the world is coming
to-" muttered Harold Denison. 1.-THE
idea of child of mine marrying the son
of a money-lending solicitor ~
Then his thoughts reverted to that ten
thousand pound mortgage, and the angry
words of the old man at parting, and he
reflected, modify, that there was little
likelihood of much time being granted
anent the payment of the interest in fu-
ture; indeed, it was more than probable
that Pearman, in his anger, would call in
his money. All which considerations har-
assed Harold Denison's mind not little,
and he thought, if it had to be done again,
he would reject the old lawyers proposal
with rather more courtesy.
Ito be continued.)