Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1912-03-05

clear eyed, vigorous man who was al
present suing for his daughters hand.
New bold had shaved of his beard and
had cropped close his mustache; he
was dressed in the habits of civiliza-
ton and he was almost metam-
orphosed. His shyness wore away as
he talked and his inherited ease of
manner and his birthright Of good
breeding came back to him and sat
easily upon him.
Under the circumstances the very |
best thing that could happen would |
be a marriage between the two, in |
deed to be quite honest, Mr.. Stephen |
Maitland would have felt that perhaps |
under any circumstances his daughter |
could do no better tha4 commit her /
self TO man like this.
Il shall never attempt" he said at !
last, TO cOnstrain my daughter. l
think have learned something by my
touch with this life here; perhaps We
of Philadelphia need a little broaden
ing in airs more free. / am sure that
she would never give her hand with
out her heart, and therefore, she must
decide this matter herself From her
own lips you shall have your answer"
But you, sir; confess that l should
feel easier and happier if I had your
sanction and approval"
Steve" said Mr.. Robert Maitland,
as the other hesitated, not because he
intended to refuse, but because he was
loath to say the word that so far as
he was concerned would give his
daughter into another mans keeping,
Il think you can trust Newbold; there
are men who knew him years ago;
there is abundant evidence and testi-
mony as TO his qualities, l vouch for
him"
Robert" answered his brother, 81
need no such testimony; the way in
which he saved Enid, the way he COM
ported himself during that period Of
isolation with her, his present bearing
in short, sir, if father is ever glad
to give away his daughter, l might
say should be glad TO entrust her TO
you. l believe you to be a man of
honor and gentleman; your family is
almost as old as my own; as for the
disparity In our fortunes, l can easily
remedy that"
NeWbOld smiled at Ends father, but
it was pleasant smile; albeit with
a trace of mockery and a trace of tri-
umph in it.
Mr.. Maitland, I am more grateful
to you than l can say for your con-
sent and approval which l shall do
my best to merit. think l may claim
to have won your daughters heart; to
have added to that your sanction COM
pletes my happiness. AS for the dis
parity in our fortunes, while your gen.
crosby touches me profoundly, l hard
ly think that you need be under any IN
easiness as to our material welfare"
What do you mean?"
i am mining engineer, sir; didn't
live five years alone in the mountains
Of Colorado for nothing"
Pray, explain yourself, sir"
Did you find gold in the hills?'
asked Robert Maitland, quicker to I'M
derstand.
The richestveins on the continent, -
answered Newbold
And nobody knows anything about
it?'
1 Not a soul"
Have you located the claims?"
only one"
Wen go back as soon as the snow
melts," said the younger Maitland
and take them up. You are sure?"
Absolutely"
But don't quite understand" quer
led Mr.. Stephan Maitland.
He means" said his brother, that
he has discovered gold"
And silver too" interposed New
bold.
I'm unlimited quantities." continued
the other Maitland
Your daughter will have more
money than she knows what to dc
with sir" smiled Newbold.
God bless me-" exclaimed the Phil
adelphian.
And that whether she marries me-
or not, for the richest claim of all is
to be taken out in her name" added
her lover.
MI ObSphcA 41dlllduu SuOOh Cu6 OIu
er by the hand vigorously.
81 congratulate you" he said, "yol
have beaten me on all points; 1 mus
therefore regard you as the most elig
ible Of suitors. Gold in these noun
tains, well, Well"
And may l see your daughter anC
plead my cause in person, sir?" asket
Newbold.
Certainly, certainly. Robert, vii
you oblige ne"
In compliance with his brother
gesture. Robert Maitland touched tn
!. bell and babe the answering servan
I ask Miss Maitland TO come TO the Il
: brary.
4 Now" said Mr.. Stephen Nathan,
as the servant closed the door, "yo
3 and would leave the young peopl
alone. En-, Robert?"
D by all MEANS answered the youns
3 er, and opening the door again th
two older men went out leaving New
d bold alone
He heard a soft step on the sta
D in the hall without; the gentle swis
} of a dress as somebody descende
p from the floor above. A vision a
Y peared IN the doorway. Without