Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1911-09-08

who had died at the birth of her boy.
Robert was breathing nervously, but
there. was courage and determination
in his look
What do you want here?" demand
ed the elder man, drawing in his thin
lips.
"A few moments conversation with
nv father" answered Robert, and he
stepped coolly into the library and
closed the door after him. Then he put
out his hand.
The elder Greylock waved him of.
Pardon! For nearly two years we
have dispensed with the common cour-
tesies of life, and 1 see no reason why
we should renew them now. What
can you have to say to me? Be brief.
This interview is not of my seeking"
He paused on the other side of the
carved table, with the soft light of the
swinging lamp falling upon him-th1s
returned prodigal, for whom there
was no welcome, no fattA6 calf nor gold
en- ring. Quite unabasheG by his re-
ception-for he had expected nothing
better-he answered:
Il am going away to seek my for
tune-going to leave this part of the
country for the far west. Is it possible
for us to be friends before I go?"
The face across the table seemed to
grow more stony.
MOI" replied the elder Greylock, "it
is not possible"
There was a painful silence. Rob-
ert looked once around the great,
sumptuous, familiar room-the home Of
his childhood, then lowered his eyes
to the velvet carpet.
"I am sorry" he said at length, "for
in all probability this is the last time
that / can seek reconciliation with
you. 1 go, as have already said, and
God only knows when l may return.
You are my father-I am your son.
Forgive me, sir, and let us part as son
and father should"
You are no son of mine," answered
the master of Greylock Woods, with a
serenity far worse than any outburst
of passion; 81 am now childless. Eigh-
teen months ago you made your choice
now abide by it. l told you at the
time that l would never forgive you,
and as Heaven hears me, never Will"
He had expected this-all the way
from Poole's Inn he had been prepar-
ing himself for these very words, yet
he WINGED a little.
rs not this rather hard, sir?" he fall
tered.
You were my only child" went on
the elder man, ignoring the question;
"all my hopes centred in you. The
Greylocks are a proud race-we have
English blood in u.s. as you know, and
some of us, at least have the English
ideas of caste. had meant you to add
new honors to the name; all my wealth
was to have been yours. l spared no
pains, no money, to educate you for
your proper position in the world, and
in good time l would have found a
wife for you in your own sphere. But
you would not wait for that. You
made haste to fall in love, as vulgar
people say, with a common creature OF
the stage-a girl who wears tights and
spangles, and dances to please mixed
audience Out of a world Of women,
that was the one my fastidious, highly
educated son was pleased to select for
my daughter-in-law, a painted, bedi-
zened young thing, of somewhat doubt
full reputation
MY dear father" interrupted Rob-
ert, calmly, Il beg you to limit your
remarks to me-also your censure. l
would consider 1t favor If you would
leave my wife's name out of this con-
versation."
For a moment the elder man lost his
self-control and blazed up furiously.
You young idiot Gossip has long
tongue Do you think l have not
heard upon what terms you live with
your ballet dancer? Verify, you sold
yourself at a low figure, Robert!
Does such a woman recompense you
for the loss of fortune, friends, social
position? l have only to look in your
face, to see your wretchedness. Family
cares weigh heavily on your shoulders.
Already you are repenting your folly.
Amorous Antony. l Opine, would like
to win back his lost world, and give
up the love which he finds a not al
together blissful possession"
Robert Greylock kept his temper ad-
mirably.
1T is useless for you to talk to me
in this way, sir" he said, calmly; Il
will not discuss my married life with
you, or with any one-I will not speak
further of my wife, or listen to any re-
proaches cast upon her. A moment
ago you bade me abide by the choice
had made-beleve me, am willing
to do So"
Good" sneered the elder man; Il
like stoicism!"
Robert Greylock had another request
to make. but it was difficult to frame
in words. Finally, with a reddening
cheek, he began:
II came to Greylock Woods tonight
for double purpose-to crave your
pardon for all past offenses, and to ask
you for money enough to take me to
Colorado. am without funds
"Ah!" there was a cruel satisfaction
in the others tone-"that is not
strange. How have you lived since
your marriage"
The color deepened in Roberts
blonde face.
"Unluckily. the education which you
gave me. sir, embraced no knowledge
of work. could not. like the majority
of men, earn my living by the sweat
of my brow. and there is small demand
for born gentlemen, l find, in this
crowding, toiling world. have made
little money by writing for the press
butt confess it with a proper sense
of my own worthlessness-my wife, the
ballet dancer, has supported us both
bv her earnings for the greater part of
h.