The Mellette County pioneer. [volume] (Wood, Mellette County, S.D.) 19??-1971, 1924-02-22
Three Men and a Maid

ing me ever since you arrived. What
right have you to say that I'm not fit
to marry your daughter?"
II did not say that"
'You've implied it. And you've been
looking at me as If I were a leper or
something the pure food committee has
condemned. Why? That's what 1 ask
you" said Sam, warming up. This, he
fancied, was the way Widgery would
have tackled a troublesome client.
"Why? Answer me that"
IT,"
Sam raped sharply on the desk.
"Be careful, sir. BE very careful 2"
He knew that this was what lawyers
always said. OF course, there is a diff
ference In position between a 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.
I'm dashed If | know" said Sam
frankly. The question struck him as a
mean attack. lie wondered how Widg-
cry would have met 1t. 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.
I'm not laughing at YOU"
"You are!"
I'm not -
"Well don't, then !" said Mr.. 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 ic understanding it.
l have nc cbjtcIlon to you personally
-"
"Come, this is better! !" said Sam.
II don't know you well enough 10
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 . :"
"As far as l am concerned, you sim
ply do not exist. You may be the
noblest character in London or you may
be wanted by the police. l don't know.
And ] don't care. II. doesn't matter to
me. You mean nothing in my life. /
don't know you"
"You must p~ersevere," said Sam.
"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 WELL"
Il don't want to know YOU"
you say that now, but wait"k
And thank goodness l have not get
to!" exploded Mr.. Benentt, ceaslng to
be calm and reasonable with a 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
nay daughter is engaged 20 be married
to another man, and that | do not wish
to see or hear anything Of you again
l shall try to forget your very exist
ence, and / shall see TO it that Wilhel-
nina does the same! You're an impu-
lent scOundrel! / don't like you! l
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, l will wish
you good-mornlng"
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 palsled limbs. 1t