The searchlight., 1911-10-27

well. you salA -yoursslf he an -
ask you to marry him"
NO." was the hssitating ansvse.
But hs said he intended - do -
Il wish he would do II thea. anl
have II over with"
my dear wife," said Haldane,
while Of course such an alliance 10
not to be thought of. yet Mr.. 0ormly.
% far az ! 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 ~ that
should be disposed q st once. aAA ]
repeat I am sorry that the man hesi-
tated, for whatever reason ! can't i'm
agine, SO that the affair might have
been conclusively settled"
II am not at all sure. mother" an
swered Miss Haldane. that II 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"
81 could dc SO; but certainly do
not love him now. certainly respect
and admire him. I think he is the lead
ing citizen OF New York today. II he
wins this election and goes on a. he
should, there is no reason why he
should not be president Of the United
States. / believe Il would be easier
to be elected to that Office than to be
come mayor. And while do not feel
| toward him a. l should toward the
man will some day marry. yet there
are many other things In the pros
pect that allure"
But you are q Haldane, you are a
Stuyvesant. you are
81 know, mother, al that my an.
| cestors were. As for myself, I am Just
an American girl. who likes Ameri.
can men and American institutions.
F, and who is glad to see people do
things"
Il presume" said Haldane, who had
said little but had thought deeply.
that such q proposition. II definitely
made. would be made to me-"
We'll then. Of course" said his wife.
you will give but one answer"
And what would you suggest that
should be7" asked Haldane.
ITO show him the door,"
Il hardly think" returned her hus.
| I,ot h~ 1Hu ~ h0f
discourtesy."
There is no use." interposed her
daughter. TO discuss tho matter any
further: for he hasn't asked me. ]
haven't accepted him. I don't know
whether he ever will ask me or not,
and until he does why trouble about
TT"
Well, what does he mean then by
telling you that he loves your Lowest"
sneered the older woman disdain.
fully.
YES" said her father. 1T seems to
me a rather remarkable course for q
man to address q wounan In that way
and yet not complete his proposition.
He said that something was i'm
pending which made him feel that !,
was proper to tell me this now"
Something impendingf"
Some sort of disclosure. inferred.
answered the girl. that might aRec,
him or possibly me-"
Haldane started.
SWELL" he said. Il DO not quits
agree with your mother. There 10 M
insult in the honest affection Of any
honest man. But II he approaches 70,
upon the subject. wish that yol
would refer him to me-"
"Fathsri"
"Beekman!" exclaimed the oldel
woman. greatly surprised. You dom
mean"
Nov. I don't mean anything. o.
cept Just what I say." answered Hal
dane decisively. TT 10 proper tina
such q proposition should bs made I,
me: and In short very greatly desir'
to be allowed to discuss the matter.
II goes any further. with Mr.. 0ormi.
personally"
Haldane spoke sternly. and his wifi
at once subsidized. a. she invariabl.
did when he assumed that mood
Eleanor. however. was not % sasil,
silenced.
"Of course, In any event you woul
be consulted. father" she said firmly
but 30 far a. the disposition Of m
. hand goes. that In q matter that cor
Germs my heart, and II 10 one which
although l should be very glad Of you
counsel and your approval. shal
have to decide myself"
"Quite 30. quito so." said Haldant
II have no other idea"
Father" he said abruptly. II wan
!. to see you alone for . moment or tw
pleased"
"Whst has happened!" began Ha
7 dane. rising.
why. Mr.. Gormly- But / woul
rather see you alone"
HAS he made proposition to 20
; for your sisters handl" Questione
: Mrs. Haldane.