The labor argus. [volume] (Charleston, W. Va.) 1906-1915, 1910-01-06
An Interview
h Witch a-Esvu- Asks For A. Cid
BY VERNON ARNOLD
Copyright 1910. by Arne.icen-Press
Association

without my knowing anything about
1t: Why. she's nothing but u child
I'll take her of 10 Europe her
anything to get her away from the
puppy"
TheSe words were spoken by Mr.
Charles Manning on receiving letter
from his daughter. aged twenty. who
was away on visit. staring that she
had become engaged to one OF the-no.
not one of the finest. but the finest fell
low in the world. He was abundantIy
able to support a wneAin good style.
Every one spoke we'll Of him Indeed.
she had been informed that she had
got q treasure The letter atso an
nOunced that the young man had Gon.
to the city TO speak" to her father and
would call upon him that evening at
their home in the suburbs fo- the r,ur-
POSE Mr.. Manning got into the $40
afternoon train to go home. being rhe
only one Of the family occupying the
house at the time. He pulled an even
ing paper from his pocket and tried t"
read. but his thoughts We're upon he
prospective loss OF his daughter. whom
he adored. a young man sat down
on the vacant seat beside him
Zine day. sir remarked the young
man.
Yes. very" replied Mr. Manning
shortly.
You don't remember me. Mr.. Man
ming. ! once met you mt the AveryS'."
Now. Mr.. Manning when he was him
self was very genial mHu. He WAS
getting TO that age when he didn't
remember people and names AZ we'll as
he had. and 1t troubled him. He looked
up at the young man and said.
Yes. l do. perfectly. How do you
do? 1 haven't met you for some
time"
How are Mrs. Manning and Miss
Eatherine?''
Very well. very we'll indeed. They
are away just now. and ] am alone In
that deuced big house,
Il expect to be alone myself this
evening. i wish you would help ME
through 1t by dining with me-
Il? oh. no. / couldn't do that
have an engagement. But you might
dine with me. l shall not have to
spend more than half an hour with
he other one"
You're very kind. I'll dine With
YOU with PLEASURE
DreadinG the Interview in which he
was expected to give away his own
dear little kit. whom he had loved.
honored and obeyed since childhUn.d.
Mr.. Manning was pleased thar he
would have an excuse to cut the in
terviewt short. Before reaching their
station he had told OF his daughters
enGaEement-he couldn't keep from
speaking of n subject that absorbed
him-and informed his unknown ac-
puaintance that he had nu doubt the
man she wns to marry would prove
especially dispensing to him.
At dinner the young man was SYM
pathetic and said he didn't really see
how father could bear to part with
bis child. especially so lovely Il girl as
Katherine This touched the old mans
heart. and 1t went right straight out
to the young one. a bottle OF Wine nj
dinner chtered the father II hit and he
felt SO much better for 1t that he told
the butler to bring another. The
young man-Mr. Manning tried indi-
rectly to find out his name. hut failed
did everything In his power to cheer
bis host. nrowing that II any man
asked for his daughter he would kick
him out OF the house.
BY the time the second bottle had
been finished the old gentleman had
become quite mellow Suddenly he
looked at the clock. Half past q"
he exclaimed. ''and the chump hasn't
turned up yet: l only hope he's been
killed on the way
But think how hard that would be
on Miss Kittie.''
An hour passed. and the expected
party had not arrived.
"Wiiliam." called Mr.. Manning, lock
the front door and II any one calls saw
I've gone TO bed
That's capital plan." suggested
the guest. ''If you could keep him out
long enough you might get rid of him
forever. Now that he can't get In TO-
night to interrupt me. I'll tell you a
secret I've long loved your daughter
myself
You don't mean it."
81 do. and that she should marry
any one else would kill me. That's the
reason I sympathize so heartily with
you
Il wish I'd known 1t; I might have
helped you along"
LAS to the man she ia to marry.
assure you he's unworthy Of her."
Are you sure of it,.
Perfectly"
lob. good gracious. what shall doc"
Help ME to beat him. It's long been
tie between u.s.
How"
Give me n letter to her stating that