Ladysmith news-budget. [volume] (Ladysmith, Rusk County, Wis.) 1907-1927, 1912-02-16

nave IL OVER Will.
my dear wife," said Haldane,
while of course such an alliance is
not to be thought of, yet Mr. Gormly,
so far as I knew, has done no dis
honor to Eleanor by his remark,
and"
"Have you taken leave of your
senses, Beekman Haldane?" cried his
wife. Such a proposition as that
should be disposed of at once, and I
repeat l am sorry that the man hest
tated, for whatever reason l can't i'm
agine, SO that the affair might have
been conclusively settled"
IT 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, if he had asked me
to be his wife"
Eleanor, you could not possibly
love this mani"
IT could do so; but l certainly do
and admire him, think he is the lead
ing citizen of New York today. If he
wins this election and goes on as he
should, there is no reason why he
should not be president of the United
States. I believe it would be easier
to be elected to that Office than to be.
come mayor. And while I do not feel
toward him as l should toward the
man I will some day marry, yet there
are many other things in the pros
pect that allure"
But you are a Haldane, you are a
Stuyvesant, you are"
81 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 Haldane, who had
said little but had thought deeply
that such proposition, if 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 1 should be guilty Of that
discourtesy."
There is no use," interposed her
daughter, ito discuss the matter any
further; for he hasn't asked me, ]
haven't accepted him. 1 don't know
whether he ever will ask me or not
and until he does why trouble about
it?"
We'll, what does he mean then by
telling you that he loves you? Loves!'
sneered the older woman disdain
fully.
YES" said her father, ''it seems to
me rather remarkable course for a
man to address a woman in that way,
and yet not complete his proposition
"He said that something was i'm
pending which made him feel that i.
was proper to tell me this now"
"Something impending?"
"Some sort of disclosure, Inferred"
answered the girl. that might affect
MIN or possibly me.
Haldane started.
WELL" he said, T do not quite
agree with your mother There is nc
insult in the honest affection of any
honest man. But if he approaches you
upon the subject, 1 wish that you
would refer him to me-"
Father"
"Beekman!' exclaimed the older
woman, greatly surprised. "You don't
mean"
Nov, l don't mean anything, ex-
cept Just what I 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, If
1t goes any further, with Mr.. Gormly
personally"
Haldane spoke sternly, and his wife
at once subsidized, as she invariably
did when he assumed that mood.
Eleanor, however, was not so easily
silenced.
"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 matter that con
Germs my heart, and it is one which,
although should be very glad OF your
counsel and your approval. I shall
have to decide myself"
"Quite so, quite so," said Haldane.
II have no other idea."
Father" he said abruptly, II want
to see you alone for moment or two
pleased"
what has happened?" began Hal
dane, rising.
"Why, Mr.. Gormly- But would
rather see you alone"
"Has he made proposition to you
for your sisters hand?" questioned
Mrs. Haldane.
What" exclaimed her son.
Eleanor" explained his mother,
"has Just stated that Mr.. Gormly took
advantage of your kindness to him the
other night, after that disgraceful cpl
sode in the city hall, to make love to
her in the tonneau of the car"
"You don't say!" exclaimed the