The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1924-01-04
Three Men and a Maid

ing me ever since you arrived. WHAT
right have you to say that I'm not at
to marry your daughterT
II did not say that"
you've implied It. And you've been
looking at me as II were leper or
something the pure food committee has
condemned. Why? That's what ask
you," said Sam, warming up. This, he
fancied, was the way Widgery would
have tackled troublesome client.
''WhyF Answer me that!"
II. -
Sam raped sharply on the desk.
BE careful, sir. Be very careful r
He knew that this was what lawyers
always said. OF course, there is diff
ference in position between miscreart
whom you suspect Of an attempt at per-
jury and the father Of the girl yor love,
whose consent to the match you wish to
obtain, but Sam was in no mood for
these nice distinctions. BE only knew
that lawyers told people to be very
careful.
what do you mean, be very care
ful?' said Mr.. Bennett.
"Tm dashed If / know,r said Sam
frankly. The question struck him as a
mean attack. He wondered how Widg-
cry would have met It, Probably by
smiling quietly and polishing his spec
tacles. Sam had no spectacles. He en-
deavored, however, to smile quietly.
"Don't laugh at me" roared Mr.. Ben
nett.
"Tm not laughing at you"
*You are'
Tim not !"
"WelL don't, Them said MFR. Bennett.
He glowered at his young companion.
II don't know why I'm wasting my time
talking to you. The position is clear to
the meanest intelligence. You cannot
have any difficulty lc understanding 1t.
/ have nc cb5ec1ion to you personally
!"
"Come, this is better" said Sam.
II don't know you well enough to
have any objection to you or any opin-
ion of you at all. This is the first time
have ever met you In my life"
Mark you" said Sam. 81 think ! am
one Of those fellows who grow ON peo-
pie :"
las far as / am concerned. you sim
ply do not exist. You may be the
noblest character in London or you may
be wanted by the police. don't know.
And don't care. 1t doesn't matter to
me. You mean nothing in my life.
don't know you"
"You must persevere," said Sam.
E.You must buckle to and get to know
me. Don't give the thing up in this half
hearted way. Everything has to nave a
beginning. Stick to 1t, and in a week
or two you will find yourself knowing
me quite we'll, :. n
II don't want to know your
you say that now,fbut waltz
"And thank goodness have not &c.
tor exploded Mr.. Benentt; ceasing to
be calm and reasonable with sudden
ness which affected Sam much as
though half a pound Of gunpowder had
been touched off under his chair. "For
the little / have seen Of you has been
quite enough! Kindly understand that
my daughter is engaged to be married
to another man, and that / do not wish
to see or hear anything Of you again |!
shall try to forget your very exist
ence. and shall see to 1t that Wilhel-
nina does the same! You're an impu-
dent scoundrel! don't like you! I
don't wish to see you again! If you
were the last man In the world l
wouldn't allow my daughter to marry
you! If that is quite clear, I win wish
you go0d-morning!'
Mr.. Bennett Numbered out Of the
room, and Sam, temporarily stunned
by the outburst, remained where he
was, gaping. A few minutes later life
began to return to his palsied limbs. It