The pioneer express., 1912-08-09

i GO g.
breakfast when the card Of Mr.. James
Armstrong Of Colorado was handed to
him.
"This. I suppose" he thought test
lily. sis one Of the results of Ends
wanderings into that God-forsaken
land. Did you ask the man his busi-
ness. James?" he said aloud to the
footman.
"Yes. sir. He said he wanted to see
you on important business, and when
I made bold to ask him what busi-
ness. he said it was none Of mine. and
for me to take tho message to you,
SIR"
"lmpudent," growled Mr.. Maitland.
Eyes, sir. but he Is the kind Of Z
gentleman you don't talk back to. SIR
We'll. you go back and tell him
that you have given me his card, and
! should like to know what he wishes
to see me about. that am very busy
this morning and unless it is a mat.
ter Of mportance-you understands"
Eyes, SIR"
Il suppose now shall have the
whole west unloaded upon me; every
vagabond friend Of Roberts and peo.
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?"
In the hall, SIR"
"Show him into the library and say
shall be down in a moment"
VERY good, sir"
It was decidedly wrathful individ
ual who confronted Stephen Maitland
few moments afterward in the II
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
over the discourtesy 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, 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?"
II wish to make her my wife,"
"Great God!" exclaimed the oldel
man in voice equally divided be
tween horror and astonishment
'How dare you, sir? You amaze me
beyond measure with your inferna
impudence."
Excuse me, Mr.. Maitland" inter
posed Armstrong quickly and will
great spirit and determination. "bu
where I come from we don't ALLOW
anybody to talk to us in this way
You are Ends father and much old
er man than /, but can't permit yo,
To-"
"Sir,' said astounded Maitland
drawing himself up at this bold fout
ing, you may be a very worthy young
man, have no doubt Of 1t, but it ii
out Of the question. My daughter
Again less excited hearer might
have noticed the emphasis in the pro
noun
''Why, she is halfway engaged te
me now" interrupted the younge,
man with a certain contemptuous
amusement in his voice. Look here
Mr.. Maitland. I've knocked around this
world 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 il
quite unspoiled vet and that is why ]
want her. I'm we'll able to take care
Of her, too; don't know what you've
got or how you got It. but can come
near laying down dollar for dollar
with you. and mines all clean money
mines. cattle. lumber and it's all
good money. I made It myself. left
her two weeks ago with her promise
that she would think very seriously
af my suit. After I came back to Den.
yer-I was called east-I made up my
mind that I'd come here when I'd nm.
ished my business and have it out