Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1931-11-13
The Argument and
the Girl a5 sj 5i3

By II. IRVING KING

1 i y. 3 =
te BY Mcclure Mswspaper syndicats.i
MIR. MoRTLAKE CALLWEATHEH
AsA sat before his library flre in az
nearly d lounging position as the
Chippendale Reproduction chair
which he occupied allowed Of Mr..
Mortlake Callweather looked like
ready money" SO did all about him.
The furniture, the room itself gave
an impression Of opulence. But It
was an opulence chastened by brood
ing afr Of refinement and good breed
ing. f ii.rn aif17n 17n
Before Mr.. CalIweather stood his
son, fine. outstanding young man Of
twenty-eight, connected, in a rather
nebulous way, by virtue of his fathers
social position, with q bond-brokerage
house fn the Street." There was
strong contrast between father and
son; the one was thoroughly artificial
and the other was thoroughly gen.
ulne
MY dear Arthur" said Mr.. Call
weather in carefully modulated
voice. pray sit down. Your standing
attitude exaggerates your rather crude
and too robust appearance" The young
man took seat and looked fixedly
at his father with apprehensive curl
osity as to what this interview might
portend. Arthur Callweather lived in
bachelor apartments by his fathers
express wish. As a member of the
paternal household his presence would
disturb the calm. quiet elegance of
the fixed routine In which Mr. Mort
lake Callweather chose to pass his
life.
whenever, as In the present in
stance, Arthur received a summons to
the presence for an interview not on
the schedule. It meant something
and something unpleasant. II have
sent for you" said Mr.. Callweather,
ito confer concerning your marriage"
"YesT said Arthur eagerly. 81 am
glad Of the opportunity"
"Pray do you interrupt" went on
the father. ut is such bad form to
interrupt. Although we meet only at
stated intervals / have considered It
my duty as a parent to keep myself
Informed with regard to your doings.
!, therefore, know all that you would
tell me-"
"As you please. SIR" replied Arthur,
but there is the possibility that you
may have been misinformed. III that
case think It only fair that should
be given an opportunity to be heard
In my own behalf"
"You will not deny" said Mr.. Call.
weather toying with his eyeglasses,
that you have the intention of mar
rying Constance Gladding?"
NO." said Arthur with a rebellious
look and firmer setting Of his law.
An! ! thought not" purred Mr..
Callweather. swell, my dear fellow,
1t won't do at all. 1t is, of course.
Time you were married-high time.
And I fully appreciate the romantic
dreams and impulses which are so ant
to disturb the judgment Of youth.
u charge MYSELF with grave derelic-
ZION that ] have not kept closer Sill
pervlSiOn upon your development.
But regrets are vain. Besides. they
age one. ] will run over briefly the |
present situation. When your moth
err died. you being at that time an in
FAINT, less than year old. came into
me enjoyment Of an annuity which |
hnd been settled upon us jointly by
your mothers great aunt for the term |
u our natural lives. In fact, II was |
ne settlement of this annuity. Dru- |
tenily arranged between my father,
ma YOUR mothers great-aunt. which
'rought about our marriage. That
'hhnity ceases with my death. shall
ave nothing to leave you. You have
loi succeeded In amasslng a fortune
4 your own. There remains for Won
prudent marriage. have no doubt
liss Gladding is charmlng-but she
ms no money to speak of. Miss Sally
fadlsh Is also charming and will be,
. time, Immensely rich. am IN nego-
lntion with her father and think
marriage with her can be arranged
or YOU"
I'm n matter Of this kind, sir" said
'rthur firmly, Il am forced to dis.
gree with you. And strongly OBJ
'c' to having my marriage made
after OF financial negotiation"
Well" said Arthur to Constance
nat night. Il had an Interview by ap-
ointment with father today. gnth-
red from his few remarks that he
oes not approve IT our marriage.
fdnt expect he would! We've dis
Dunted all that. Connie, name the
ay."
but what exactly did he saw"
'ked Constance.
"Oh. nothing Of much importance"
'aded the young man. But Constance
as OF persistent nature. When
re wanted to find out anything she
'nerally found II out and before Ar.
Iur realized what he was doing he
I'd given her a pretty accurate ac.
'unt OF his fathers discourse.
well" said Constance at length.
'ou are getting a fair salary; father
not exactly poOr-he would HELM
! ! am good at economizing. still, ,
your father says. Miss Bradlsh and
r millions weigh on the side OF pru.
nee"
"Oh. bother Miss BradIsh !" cried 1
thur. What do you say?" |
Il say" replied Constance few / {
nutes later; you are missing my
ir all up. How would a month
pm today do?"
Mr.. Callwenther refused to see his |
ring son and daughter-In-law for |