Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1912-08-22


breakfast when the card OF MI. James
Armstrong Of Colorado was handed to
him.
This, l suppose" he thought test
lily, lis one Of the results Of Ends
wanderings into that God-forsaker
land. Did you ask the man his bust
ness, James?" he said aloud TO the
footman.
Yes, sir. He said he wanted to see
you on important business, and wher
l made bold to ask him what bust
ness, he said 1t was none Of mine, and
for me to take the message to you
SIR"
Impudent," growled Mr.. Maitland.
Yes, sir. but he is the kind of q
gentleman you don't talk back to. SIR
Well. you go back and tell him
that you have given mt his card, and
! should like to know what he wishes
to see me about, that l am very busy
this morning and unless it is a mat
ter Of importance-you understand 2"
Yes, SIR"
Il suppose now / shall have the
whole west unloaded upon me; every
vagabond friend of Roberts and PEG
pie who meet Enid" he thought, but
his ~reveries were shortly interrupted
by the return of the man.
IF you please, sir" began James
hesitatingly, as he re-entered the
room. "he says his business Is about
the young lady, sir"
"Confound his impudence!" ex-
claimed Mr.. Maitland, more and more
annoyed at what he was pleased to
characterize mentally as western as
surance Where Is he?"
TN the hall, sir"
"Show him into the library and say
l shall be down in a moment"
Very good, sir"
1t was a decidedly wrathful individ-
ual who confronted Stephen Maitland
a few moments afterward In the H.
brary, for Armstrong was not accus-
toned to such cavalier treatment, and
had Maitland been other than Ends
father he would have given more out
ward expression at his indignation
owe the d~iscourtesy in his reception.
"Mr. James Armstrong, / believe"
began Mr.. Maitland, looking at the
card In his hand.
Eyes, SIR"
"Er-from Colorado?"
"And proud of it."
"Ah, l dare say. l believe you wish.
ed to see me about"
"Your daughter, sir"
"And in what way are you concern.
ed about her, sir"
Il wish to make her my wife,"
Great God!" exclaimed the older
man in a voice equally divided be-
tween horror and establishment.
How dare you, sir? You amaze me
beyond measure with your internal
im%pudence."
Excuse me. Mr.. Maitland" inter-
posed Armstrong quickly and with
great spirit and determination, "but
where I come from we don't allow
anybody to talk to us in this way.
You r Ends father and a much old
or man than I, but I can't permit you
To-"
"Sir," said astounded Maitland,
drawing himself up at this bold fiout-
ing, you may be a very worthy young
man, l have no doubt Of 1t, but It is
out Of the question. My daughter"
Again a less excited hearer might
have noticed the emphasis in the pro-
noun-
why, she lie halfway engaged to
me now" interrupted the younger
man with a certain contemptuous
amusement in his voice. Look here,
Mr.. Maitland, I've knocked around this
world q good deal. know what's
what. / know all about you eastern
people and I don't fancy you any
more than you fancy us. Miss Enid is
quite unspoiled yet and that IL why I
want her. I'm we'll able to take care
Of her, too; I don't know what you've
got or how you got It, but I can come
near laying down dollar for dollar
with you, and mines all clean money
mines. cattle, lumber-and it's all
good money. l made 1t myself. I left
her two weeks ago with her promise
that she would think very seriously
Of my suit. After I came back to Den
ver--I was called east-I made up my
mind that I'd come here when I'd fin
ished my business and have 1t out
with you. Now you can treat me like
a dog II you want to. but If you expect
to keep peace in the family you'd bet
ter not. for / tell you plainly whether
you give your consent or not, I mean
to win her. All ! want Is her consent,
and I've pretty nearly got that"
Mr.. Stephen Maitland was black
with anger at this clear. unequivocal,
determined statement of the case
from Armstrong; point Of view.
Il would rather see her dead" he
exclaimed with angry st~ubbornness,
than married to a man like you.
How dare you force yourself into my
house and insult me in this way?
Were / not an old man I would show
you, I would give you a taste, Of your
own manner"
The Oh mans white mustache fair.
ly quivered with what he believed ia
be righteous indignation. He stepped
over to the other and looked bard at
him. his eyes Aiazing. his xuddy