Pierre weekly free press. (Pierre, S.D.) 1889-19??, 1912-03-07

dlS dlr lrrltated Still more the teSty
humor of the old man. plainly pro-
voked by earlier matters
"'Ihat isl" he sneered. at have
Perhaps l have! Maybe l have.
Let's see what my notes sayv What
in the devil is the matter with the
young men nowadays, anyway? Blood
In your veins about as thick as Porty
Reek molasses! You say you have
asked her to marry you? Well, if
you've asked her and mean it have you
got anything to do with that Kava-
nagh girl being around this statehouse
today?"
Harlan sprang to his feet. He threw
heart leaped within him. The bare
knowledge that Glare was near sent
the blood into his face. Her coming
to him seemed reproach for his ac-
ceptance of her flight.
do you mean that?"
you are certainly giving me fine
imitation of man who is surprised
stated his grandfather. Maybe you
are. l hope so. But she's here. She's
with bunch of girls from some
school or other, paraded around by
Ratchet faced woman, another crow
ing hen that's trying to teach parlia
mentary law, l suppose. Harlan,
hope you've been square with ME about
that girl. Now, if you're honest and
don't know she's here keep out of
sight. I've given you the tip. She'll
hp Sna1 l.inu To will mix
matters for you. She'd like nothing
better than to do it,
I'm sick of that kind of talk from
you," protested the grandson angrily.
Cant you mention the name of that
innocent girl without a slur or an in
suit? And there's no reason why /
cannot meet Clare Kavanagh any time
and at any place. l claim the right in
a few matters to be my own master"
even to making a fool of yourself!
You want Madeleine Presson. l can
see that you want her. I've been
watching. And I'm coming out now
and say that l want you to have her
She's my idea of wife. Now, you
needn't go to talking about that Kava-
nagh girl and friendship! There's no
such thing as that kind of friendship"
Harlan had no time then to vent the
anger that WAS seething in him. 1t
seemed that every one who willed took
the liberty to intrude upon the affairs
which he tried to keep sacred. While
that thought was uppermost in his
troubled emotions Linton, the other
nhiaf nffan1np in,
him.
The chairman began brislly He was
serious but he spoke kindly.
81 don't usually interfere in these
matters, but we'd better have this
thing Strengthened out for the good of
all of us. I'm glad you're here, The!is-
mer. want you to stand by and lis
ten. Here are two mighty good boys.
these two, and now We'll leave out all
political differences. We can afford to.
We're all better friends than we were
when the session opened" In spite of
his absorption in his own affairs, Hal-
Ian thought of the legislative morrow
and it's possibilities Nov, this isn't
politics! AS l say, | don't usually med
die in my wife's or my daughter's''-
Just one moment, Mr.. Presson"
Harlan strobe forward. 'Has this
lying scoundrel dared to bring his dirty
scandal to you?'
He looked over the head Of the chair
man into the defiant face of his rival.
The little man threw up his hands,
standing between them.
Hold on! Hold on! You haven't
come to me in the usual way, but as
near as l can find out both of you are
after my daughter. ] know Of my own
knowledge, Harlan, that you have been
interested up country. simply want
to have general understanding l
brought Linton here with me. No use
in running between! Let's have our
say face to face"
Harlan controlled himself.
II think l understand just what
prompts you, Mr. Presson," he said.
II respect your motives. You've been
imposed upon But you're not to
blame. 1 know what you're going to
ask me. I'll save you the trouble
admire your daughter greatly l have
intended to ask her hand in marriage"
He was suddenly conscious that the
determination to persist in that suit
was not acute.
'"That wasn't what l was going to
ask YOU" said Presson, with decision.
Its about the girl whom | saw
"The name of no other, person be-
longs in this discussions" broke in
Harlan firmly. II refuse to permit
that name to be dragged in, for it's in
suit and scandal"
There was silence in the room. But
Linton was determined to win his
point. He thought he saw his oppor-
tunity. He hoped he could force a
break between Presson and the other
sutton.
"Tm interested in this matter as
much as any one" he declared 81
have not told you the full story, Mr..
Presson. But I'm here to see this
matter Strengthened out for good and