The Irish standard., 1910-11-12


Yes. He is in the small drawing
room with Mr.. Gormly."
Il want you to amuse him while I
talk with Mr.. Gormly. Don't let any
one disturb U.S."
Not for the world" said the girl.
throwing open the door of the little re-
ccption room us she spoke. Here "a
Mr.. Haldane, Mr.. Gormly Living.
stone. you are to come with me-"
Il intend to be present." answered
Livingstone firmly. "at this inter-
view"
You will pardon me-" said his ia.
Their with equal resolution, "but l in
tend to see Mr.. Gormly alone"
Go. Haldane," said Gormly. III
there is anything that you ought to
know. will tell you what It is later"
But I would"
Livingstone" said Miss Stewart
this is very ungallant and unkind to-
ward me-"
Your father and both wish to be
Alone" said Gormly sternly, whereat
the young man, with very bad grace.
be 1t admitted. retired and shut the
door.
Gormly waited for the older man to
begin.
Mr.. Gormly," said Haldane at last
my son has told me that you have
discovered my connection with the
Gotham Freight Traction company
Il told him so this afternoon"
why did you tell him?"
TO give him an opportunity to
withdraw from his association with
me before I published the story of tho
corrupt corporation, and because I
nave sort OF chivalrous, old-fashion.
ed feeling that compels me to warn
you OF what I am going to do before
] do It,"
Mr.. Gormly," said Haldane, won
this day addressed my daughter and
asked her to be your wife?"
II did, sir"
"Why today"
because I intended all along to do
so. and I preferred to do IT now rath-
err than after the publication OF tho
news that will be made tomorrow. I
shall repeat my offer tomorrow"
And you wish to marry herr
III 1s-it Was--thc dearest wish OF
my heart"
"Was. sir?"
Yes. and SO far as 7 am Individual.
~ concerned it still remains SO: but
'horo are things higher than our own
personal wishes. Mr.. Haldane, az I
have been finding ont, and to be MAYOR
OF New York for the purpose of serv.
ing the people is now my chief ambi.
ton
R'lt you love my daughter, I under.
stood her to aay."
she could not possibly shy how
much care for her, or how proud
should be to make her my wife"
"Mr. Gorrrly," said Haldnne. lower.
ing his voice and looking about him.
III is not beyond possibility that your
desires IN that direction might bc
grntifled."
"po you carry message to mo
from Miss Ha1dane?"
mo, not exactly. She, however.
placed the matter in my hands.
have your letter here" He drew It
forth. "And, in short, 1t Is possible
that she might be induced to favor
yonl' suit. OF course" he added verv
slowly in mere whisper, during
which he kept his eyes carefully
nverted from the other mans face,
you will understand that IF you were
party to this-er-revelation to
which you have alluded, that would
render any alliance impossible"
you say" asked Gormly slowly.
that Miss Hnldnne is not privy to
your decision, that you do not make
this proposition by her authority?"
Certainly not. She knows nothing
about It: but ] am sure that with my
wish and your own determined and
er--most agreeable personality, tho
matter can be brought about" he
paused, aignifcantly-"on conditions"
he added
What conditioner"
Il leave that to your own perspica,
city"
"By the living Cod" burst out
Gorm]y, furiously throwing off All re-
straint In his Indignation and resent
ment, IF 7 treated you rightly, I
would kick you out of the house. I
would expose you not merely for your
connection with that thieving octopus.
but as father who tried to barter his
daughter to secur- his own i'm
"SIr, sir" exclaimed Haldnne fu.
riously, but Gormly was not to be in.
terrupted now.
II love your daughter in wayg that
I doubt you are able to understand:
but would not take her on such con-
ditions as those you mean me to infer:
would not degrade her by thinking
of her on such terms, even If / lost her
forever. l am unworthy of her now,
God knows! but would be so far be-
meath her under such circumstances
that l could not even look at her
again. ] don't understand how she
could have been born of such ia
ther."
II will not be talked to in that man.