The enterprise. [volume] (Harlem, Mont.) 1899-1926, 1911-02-23

Peter Grigsby was struck dumb by his
fathers decision.
Furthermore" continued the other,
mo woman with proper delicacy would
consent to enter a family where 1t was
distinctly understood she was not
wanted"
what do you mean by that,
father?"
Merely that have met your Miss
Downing. She was graciously accord
ed me as a dinner partner at the
Westons! I undertook, in a delicate
way Of course, to let my views DO
known"
Peter Grigsby started. A curious ex-
preston flashed over his features. $50
you acted the part of a-cad. I'm
glad you told me-"
IF you must put 1t that way-yes.
did 1t, however, to save my own
flesh and blood from future mortifica-
ton"
very thoughtful of you. Still, for
the sake of decency, you might have
spared yourself the rudeness."
The old man checked an exclana-
1 IAOA. 11SIC1u, u6 6clu 4ulCLly.
"You don't see it now, my boy; but
the day will come when you'll realize
the wisdom of my course"
The words fell on deaf ears. Young
Grigsby was lost in thought. All at
once he smiled. The whole thing was
suddenly clear to him; the reason for
Jul1et's strange action, the man" at
the bottom of 1t.
Pm sorry this rupture has come,
father" he said in a softened tone,
but think We understand each 9th
er the better for it. shall take
rooms at the club"
Peter Grfgsby's first move was to
send letter to Juliet, telling her that
he understood everything and setting
aside IN advance any protest she
might make. In due time her reply
came.
Dear Peter:
"Now that you have discovered the
truth, l shall make no effort to deny
1t. Yes; your father made 1t quite
clear to me that his only son, descend
ant from long line of blue-blooded
ancestors, could never wed any but
girl with the same aristocratic pedi-
gree.
Il had never looked at things from
that standpoint, but of course now,
could not do anything but give you up.
You are his only son, his all, and it is
natural for him to feel that way about
you
please do not try to see me. and
don't write again. This is Anal.
JULIET"
Nevertheless, Peter Grigsby did try
to see her. She declined an audience.
He wrote her score of letters. They
were returned unopened. He tried to
intercept her on the street. She evad.
ed him.
Meanwhile he had taken up his resi-
dence at the club, spending his nights
in the rooms and crowding the days
with labor.
A month passed. He had not once
spoken to his father except in the
briefest business way.
One night, when he could endure 1t
no longer, he went to the club and re-
quested to be shown to his sons
rooms. He raped unsteadily on the
door and waited in tremor for Peter
to open 1t.
| The boy held out his hand. Come
in, father he said gently; you look
tired"
1--WE come to ask you to come back
home, Peter" he said in a husky
voice.
81 cannot" He pulled up chair
and the old man sank into it YEARLY.
"I'll give you anything in the world
you want. I'll double your inheri.
lance. III"
you can never undo what you've
done, father. You've broken my heart
and ruined two lives"
The old man hitched uncomfortably
in his seat. A dash of red streaked his
withered cheeks. Are you still mop
ing over that fool business?" he de-
manded irately.
Il am a very unhappy. disappointed
man."
"Then why in thunder don't you
marry her and be done with it? Prob.
ably she's heard about your altered
IOILuucS huu IuC puupCI racket Is u
bit skittish, eh?"
Peter Grigsby held back his anger
and said coolly:
do you want me to tell you the
truth? Do you? Then listen. Juliet
Downing is too proud and high.
spirited a girl to come into a family
like ours-where the head of the
house has not even the instincts OF a
gentleman"
Despite his 70-odd years, Horace
Grigsby bounced, literally. out of his
seat He sputtered fumed, sat down
again and gripped the arms of his
chair.
"And she-she refused you, huh?"
"Precisely."
Horace Grigsby grew purple.
"Won't-won't have you! Bah! Yes,
she's right; l was hog to her. But