The Argosy, December 1905 — page 85: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

NO WAY OUT that while at present I was only an architect’s draftsman, my prospects of advancement in the profession were good. And then, what do you think he said?” “T can’t imagine.’ “He snapped out -saddeiie: =¥ou-re a gambler. My daughter can’t marry a gambler.’ “Pm not a gambler, stoutly. “< Yes, you are, said he. ‘I noticed it the first time you ate dinner with us. I asked you to pass me the pepper. You took the shaker, pressed your thumb and second finger gently but firmly around the bottom, laid your finger as firmly on the top, set it firmly down in front of me, and then gave it a little push toward me, exactly the way prac- tised hands pass a pile of poker chips. You can’t fool me, my boy; ’m too observant. When a young man gets the habit as bad as that, he must be a con- firmed card player.’ » “Isn’t he clever to have aanoed as closely as that?” “Oh, he’s wise all right. Then he snapped out, ‘I suppose you play the races, too.’ “<< A little, sir,’ I was forced to admit. “<* Well, yowll have to cut gambling out, young man, if you want to marry my daughter. Do you understand that ?’ he demanded. “Of course I promised. ‘Then you give us your consent, sir?’ I added hopefully. “*T suppose I’ll have to,’ he erowled. ‘Tm not the kind of father to thwart the wishes of his only daughter. If she wants you, [ suppose she’s got to have you. Perhaps you’ve got better stuff in you than [ think. I talk to her later, and if she’s really made up her mind to take you, I suppose I’ll have to agree. Don’t be in any hurry about getting married though. Vl nut you on proba- tion for at least a yew. If you don’t touch a card or play the horses during that time and live within your means, which ’m much afraid you haven’t been doing, from what I know of you, I may consent to a marriage by then, pro- vided you’re earning enough to support a wite.’ 1 declared 67 “*« And may we consider ourselves en- gvaged during that time?’ I asked joy- ‘fully. “*T suppose so,’ he growled ; ‘if Rosa wishes it. Not a public engagement though, mind you.’ ” “Dear old dad. Isn’t he the best father a girl ever had?” exclaimed the girl enthusiastically. “He’s a good old chap, and he’s giv- ing me more than I deserve. I know that, Rosa.” Just how she answered him is none of the reader’s business. Neither is any- thmg of what they said to each other during the next hour or so. At the end of that time, Arthur Ladd, the happiest young man in all the world, rose to depart. He took her little, white hand in his, and, looking at it admiringly, he said: “To-morrow evening, little girl, there’s one more detail, which I'll at- tend to. Ill put a ring on that third finger—a ring of such luster and beauty that it will make you envied by all your friends.” “You dear boy!” purred the de- lighted girl. “ But you must not be too extravagant, Arthur.” “Don’t you worry. I’ve got a little money saved for just that very purpose. What kind of a ring shall it be?” “ Fil leave it to you,” answered Rosa wisely. “ How about that ring you noticed in the jewelry store window the other day? Don’t you remember? Three large dia- monds set one under the other. How would that suit you? ” : “It was beautiful, wasn’t it, Arthur? But it must have been quite expensive. Could you afford as much as that?” “Don’t you worry about that, little girl. Dll get you that very ring before another day has passed. It'll look fine on that pretty finger of yours, too. Let’s take the measurements.” “You’re sure you can afford to buy that ring?” the girl asked him again as he was leaving. “ They were large dia- monds, Arthur, and it must cost a whole lot of money. Remember, we are en- gaged now, and [ have the right to speak plainly to you about such things.” “ Don’t you worry about it,” repeated A 3 COMMICLOOOKS (C@