Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1919-10-09
CHAPTER xiI-continued.

30 -
s.
"What kind?'
Whatever appeals to me-" he said.
Lucy looked at him with grieved
wonder. But you really don't mean
to have any regular business or pro-
fession at all?"
Il certainly do not" George re-
turned promptly and emphatically.
Il was afraid So" she said in a low
voice.
George continued to breathe deep
ly throughout another protracted in
terval of silence. Then he said,
"Your father is a business man"
Hes a mechanical genius" Lucy
interrupted quickly. "Of course he's
both. And he was a lawyer once
he's done all sorts of things"
very well. 1 merely wished to ask
II It's his influence that makes you
think l ought to do something's"
Lucy frowned slightly. "Why 1
suppose almost everything I think or
say must be owing to his influence
In one way or another. We haven't
had anybody but each other for so
many years, and we always think
about alike, so of course"
II see" And Georges brow dark
ened with resentment. $50 that's it,
is it? It's your fathers idea that 1
ought to go into business and that
you oughtn't to be engaged to me
until I do"
Lucy gave a start, her denial was
so quick. "No! I've never once spo-
ken to him about 1t. Never!'
George looked at her keenly, and
he jumped to a conclusion not far
from the truth. But you know with
out talking to him that it's the way
he does feel about it? l see."
She nodded gravely. eyes"
Georges brow grew darker still.
DO you think I'd be much of a man."
he said slowly, "if I let any other
mar dictate to me my W way of
life?'
George! Who's debating your"
st seems to me it amounts to that !"
"Oh, NO!I only know how papa thinks
about things. He's never, v spo-
ken unkindly or 'dictatingly' of you"
Her face was so touching in it's dis
tress that for the moment George for.
got his anger. He seized that small,
troubled hand.
Lucy" he said huskily. "Don't
you know that l love you?"
"Yes--I do"
Don't you love me?"
"Yes-I do"
'Then what does it matter what
your father thinks about my doing
something or not doing anything? He
has his way, and / have mine. Why,
look at your fathers best friend, my
Uncle George Amberson-he's v
done anything in his life, and"
ooh, yes, he has," she interrupted.
HE was in politics."
swell, I'm glad he's out" George
said. "Polities is a dirty business for
a gentleman, and Uncle George would
tell you that himself. Lucy, let's not
talk any more about it. Let me tell
mother when / get home that we're
engaged. Won't you, dear?"
She shook her head. mo" she
said, and gave him a sudden little
look of renewed gayety. Lets let it
stay almost"
Because your father"
"Oh, because it's better"
Georges voice shook. 'Isn't 1t POUR
father?"
tits his ideals I'm thinking Of
yes"
George dropped her hand abruptly
and anger narrowed his eyes. Il know
what you mean" he said. II dare say
! don't care for your fathers ideals
any more than he does, for miner
He frightened the reins, Pendennis
quickening eagerly to the trot; and
when George jumped out Of the runa-
bout before Lucy's gate, and assisted
her to descend, the silence in which
they parted was the same that had be-
gun when Pendennis began to trot.