The Ordway new era., 1911-09-29

mo-" was the hesitatlng answer
"But he said he intended to do So"
II wish he would do 1t then, and
have II over with"
my dear wife," said Haldane.
while Of course such an alliance Is
not to be thought Of. yet MIR. Gormly.
so far as | know. has done no dis.
honor to Eleanor by his remark.
and"
"Have you taken leave OF your
senses. Beekman Haldane?" cried his
wife. Such proposition as that
should be disposed Of at once. and
repeat ] am sorry that the man hest
tated. for whatever reason l cant I'm
agine. so that the affair might have
been conclusively settled"
II am not at all sure. mother" an.
swered Miss Haldane. that It would
have been conclusively settled In the
way at least you seem to think the
only way possible. II he had asked me
to be his wife,"
Eleanor. you could not possibly
love this mani"
II could do SO: but certainly do
not love him now. certainly respect
and admire him. think he Ia the lead
INK citizen Of New York today. II he
wins this election and goes on as he
should. there IL no reason why he
should not be president Of the United
States. believe 1t would be easier
to be elected TO that ofiice than to be
come mayor. And while do not feel
toward him as l should toward the
man will some day marry. yet there
pect that allure"
But you are Haldane. you are a
Stuyvesant. you are"
II know. mother. all that my an
cestors were. AS for myself. am just
an American girl. who likes Ameri
can men and American Institutions.
and who is glad to see people do
things.'
Il presume" said lIaldane. who had
said little but had thought deeply.
that such a proposition. II definitely
made. would be made to me-
"Well then. OF course" said his wife.
you will give but one answer"
And what would you suggest that
should be-" asked Haldane.
ITO show him the door,
II hardly think" returned her hus'
band. that | should be guilty Of that
discourtcsy.
There Is no use." interposed her
daughter. to discuss the matter any
further: for he hasn't asked me. !
haven't accepted him. | don't know
whether he ever will ask me or not.
and until he does why trouble about
IT,"
well. what does he mean then by
telling you that he loves you? l-oves!
sneered the older woman disdain.
fully.
YES" said her father. at seems to
me q rather remarkable course for q
man to address a woman In that way.
and yet not complete his proposition =
He sid that something was i'm
pending which made him feel that II
was proper to tell me this now"
Something impending?"
Some sort OF disclosure. inferred"
answered the girl. that might affect
him or possibly me-
Haldane started.
Well" he said. 81 do not quite
agree with your mother. There Is no
insult In the honest affection OF any
honest man. But II he approaches you
upon tho subject. wish that you
would refer him to me-"
"Father!"
"Beekman!" exclaimed the older
woman. greatly surprised. You don't
mean|
Now, I don't mean anything. ex.
cept Just what l say" answered Hal.
dane decisively. 1T is proper that
such a proposition should be made to
me: and in short very greatly desire
to be allowed to discuss the matter. II
1t goes any further. with Mr.. Gormly
personally"
Haldane spoke sternly. and his wife
at once subsided. as she invariably
did when he assumed that mood.
Eleanor, however. was not so easily
sienced.
"Of course. in any event you would
be consulted. father" she said firmly;
but so far as the disposition of my
hand goes, that is a matter that con.
Germs my heart. and It is one which.
although should be very glad of your
counsel and your approval. shall
have to decide myself"
Quite so. quite So" said Haldane.
"1 have no other idea"
Father" he said abruptly. 81 want
to see you alone for moment or two
plense!"
What has happened?" began Hal.
dane rising.
why, Mr.. Gormly- But I would
rather see you alone"
Has he made proposition to you
for your sisters hand?" questioned
Mrs. Haldane.
What" exclaimed her son.