The Ocala evening star. [volume] (Ocala, Fla.) 1895-1943, 1912-05-03
tCopyright. 1911. By W. q. Chapmar

tCopyright, 1911. By W. q. Chapman
Mr.. Maitland was no bad judge of
men when his prejudices were not
rampant, and he looked with much sat
isfaction On the fine, clean limbed,
clear eyed, vigorous man who was at
present suing for his daughters hand
Newbold had shaved off 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, III
deed to be quite honest, Mr.. Stephen
Maitland would have felt that perhaps
under any circumstances his daughter
could do no better than commit her
self to man like this.
Il shall never attempt" he said at
last, ito constrain my daughter. l
think I 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 | 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,
81 think you can trust Newbold; there
are men who knew him years ago;
there is abundant evidence and testi-
mony as to his qualities, 1 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 a 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
1t was pleasant smile; albeit with
a trace of mockery and a trace of tri-
umph in 1t.
Mr.. Maitland, / am more grateful
to you than I can say for your con-
sent and approval which 1 shall do
my best to merit. I 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.
erosity touches me profoundly, hard
ly think that you need be under any IN
easiness as to our material welfare"
What do you mean?"
Il am mining engineer, sir; didn't
live five years alone in the mountains
Of Colorado for nothing"
TTdy, explain yourself, SIT.
did you find gold in the hills?"
asked Robert Maitland, quicker to I'M
derstand
"The richest veins on the continent"
answered Newbold.
"And nobody knows anything about
it?"
Not soul"
"Only one"
Well go back as soon as the snow
melts," said the younger Maitland,
land 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 do
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.
Mr.. Stephen Maitland shook the 9TH
er by the hand vigorously
Il congratulate YOU" he said, you
have beaten me on all points; L must
therefore regard you as the most elig-
ible of suitors Gold in these noun
tains, well, WE'LL"
"And may l see your daughter and
plead my cause in person, sir?" asked
Newbold.
Certainly, certainly. Robert, will
you oblige me"
In compliance with his brothers
gesture, Robert Maitland touched the
bell and babe the answering servant
ask Miss Maitland to come TO the Il
brary.
Now" said Mr.. Stephen Maitland
as the servant closed the. door, you
and I would leave the young people
alone. FL Robert?"
"By all R,eans," answered the young
er, and opening the door again the
two older men went out leaving New
bold alone.