The silver messenger. (Challis, Idaho) 1890-1912, 1912-01-09

my dear wife," said Haldane
while of course such an alliance Is
not to be thought Of, yet Mr.. 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 az that
should be disposed of at once, and l
repeat | am sorry that tho man hesl-
tated, for whatever reason l can't lp-
agine, so that the affair might have
been conclusively settled"
Il am not at all sure, mother" an
swered Miss Haldane, that 1t 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"
Il could do SO; but l certainly do
not love him now. I certainly respect
and admire him. think he is the lead
4uE ClLlLCH vi 1NCW VI n tOudJ. IL LII
wins this election and goes on as he
should, there Is no reason why he
should not be president Of the United
States. l believe it would be easier
to be elected to that office than to be
come mayor. And while | do not feel
toward him as l should toward the
man will some day marry, yet there
are many other things in the pros
pect that allure"
But you are a Haldane, you are
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 dc
things"
Il presume" said Haldane, who had
said little but had thought deeply
that such a 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.
To show him the door,"
I hardly think" returned her hus
band, that l should be guilty Of thai
discourtesy."
There is no use," interposed he,
daughter, Ito discuss the matter any
further; for he hasn't asked me, J
haven't accepted him. l don't know
whether he ever will ask me or not
and until he does why trouble abou,
it?"
We'll, what does he mean then BY
telling you that he loves you? Lowest
sneered the older woman disdain
fully.
YES" said her father, ut seems te
me a rather remarkable course for
man to address woman in that way
and yet not complete his proposition
He said 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
1im or possibly me-"
Haldane started.
Well" he said, II do not ouits
agree with your mother. There Is nc
insult In the honest affection of an,
honest man. But ii he approaches you
lpon the subject, l wish that yor
would refer him to me-"
Father"
"Beekman!" exclaimed tho o,de,
woman, greatly surprised. "You don't
NOW, l don't mean anything. ex
ept just what l say" answered Hal
ane decisively., 1T is proper tina,
UGH proposition should be- made r. r
ne; and in short very greatly desir.
be allowed to discuss the matter. n
goes any further. with Mr.. Gorml, t
t
Haldane spoke sternly, and his wife
once subsidized, as she invariah,x
10 wnen he assumed that mood :
'leanor, however, was not so easily
llenced
VI course, In any event you would
consulted, father" she said firmly.
but so far as the disposition Of m,
and goes, that Is matter that con.
erns my heart, and it Is one which
Though l should be very glad of you
ounsel and your approval. | shall
ave to decide myself"
Quite so, quite 3d." said Haldana
have no other idea"
Father" he said abruptly. 81 wan,
see you alone for a moment or two
easel" WV
What has happened?" began Ha,
Inc, rising.
why, Mr.. Gormly- But 7 would
ther see you alone"
Has he made a proposition to Won
r your sisters hand?" questioned
rs. Haldane
What" exclaimed her son.
Eleanor" explained his mother
as just. stated that Mr.. Gormlv tooh
vantage OF your kindness to him tha
her night, after that disgraceful emf
de In the city hall, to make love r.
r In the tonneau of the car"
You don't say!" exclaimed tha
ing man, apparently neither shocL.
nor surprised. well, he's goos