The Caldwell watchman. (Columbia, La.) 1885-1946, 1912-08-23

breakfast when the card Of Mr.. James
Armstrong of Colorado was handed tt
! him.
This. l suppose" he thought test
lily, is 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 whe1
| made bold to ask him what bust
ness, he said it was none of mine, and
for me to take the message to you
sir"
"1mpudent," growled Mr.. Maitland.
Yes, sir, but he Is the kind of a
gentleman you don't talk back to, sir. y
! 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 l am very busy
this morning and unless 1t Is a mat
ter of 1mportance-you understand"
Yes, sir"
! Il suppose now I 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
l shall be down In a moment"
Very good, sir"
1t was decidedly wrathful individ-
ual who confronted Stephen Maitland
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
over the discourtesy in his reception.
Mr.. James Armstrong, l believe"
began Mr.. Maitland, looking at the
card in his hand.
Eyes, SIR"
"Er-from Colorado?"
And proud of it."
"Ah, l dare say. 1 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 Cod" exclaimed the older
man in voice equally divided be.
tween horror and establishment.
How dare you, sir? You amaze me
beyond measure with your internal
impudence."
Excuse me. Mr.. Maitland" inter-
posed Armstrong quickly and with
great spirit and determination, "but
where come from We don't allow
anybody to talk to us in this way,
You are Ends father and much old. |
er man than I, but / can't permit YOU
To-"
"Sir," said astounded Maitland
drawing himself up at this bold flout. |
ing, you may be very worthy young |
man, | have no doubt of it, but 1t is
out OF the question. My daughter
Again less excited nearer might
have noticed the emphasis in the pro.
noun
why, she is halfway engaged to
me now" interrupted the younger
man with certain contemptuous
amusement in his voice. Look here,
Mr.. Maitland, I've knocked around this
world a good deal. know what's
what. know all about you eastern
people and | don't fancy you any
more than you fancy US. Miss Enid is
quite unspoiled yet and that is why /
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 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 It myself. left
her two weeks ago with her promise
that she would think very seriously
of my suit. After came back to Den.
ver-I was called east-I made up nv
mind that I'd come here when I'd fin.
ished my business and have It out
with you. Now you can treat me like
a dog II you want to, but II you expect
to keep peace in the family you'd bet
ter not, for tell you plainly, whether
you give your consent or not, l mean II
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,
II would rather see her dead" no | I
exclaimed with angry stubbornness
than married to man like Won Il
How dare you force yourself into NV .
hDusa and Insult me- In TIT; ,