Beadle's Dime Library No. 562 — page 22: what you’re looking at

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22 —_——- Haag him to me for a husband for your daugh- r ‘** Yes, sir-ee! you bet I would!” the old man cried. ** Don’t you think you ought to allow Maggie some say in the matter?’ Sandy urged. ** No, I don’t!” the old man responded, blunt- ly. ‘Girls are foolish sometimes and do not know what is best for them. You are not the man, Sandy MacAlIpine, for my darter, and I[ tell you frankly that I will never consent to your gitting her, unless you should happen to make a big strike somewhar and then that would put a different face on the matter. I tell you, right out, that you ain’t welcome hyer and I hope that in the future you will keep away!” “That is all right. I will not trouble you again—not unless you change your mind about this thing; so-long!” Sandy exclaimed, proudly, and then the pards departed. CHAPTER XXVII. A COQUETTISH MAIDEN. “WELL, old maa, you did not get much en- couragement, did you?” Eddie Livingstone re- marked, after the two bad got out of the saloon. ‘That is a fact, and no mistake,” Sandy Mac- Alpine replied, ruefully. “Mighty plain talk now, I tell you.” **Too durned plain to be agreeable.” “The old galoot put it right to you.” **'Y ou bet he did,” “He is evidently a Triangle man from ’Way- back!” “Oh, yes, I don’t think there is any doubt that Alex Wallace is at the bottom of this af- fair,” Sandy asserted. ‘*That is the way it looks to me.” “Tt is a a's thing about this rancher,” Sandy MacAlpine remarked, thoughtfully. **Only a little while ago it was said that he was in difficulties, and it was doubtfulif he would be able to pull through, but now he seems to have plenty of money.” ‘“*He has struck some lucky speculation, I suppose,” Eddie Livingstone observed. ‘ That is the way things go down in this country, you know. This is the land of ups and downs, A man may be almost a beggar to-day, and then to-morrow strike a streak of luck and makea big stake.” ‘ Well, Ionly wish I could strike something of that kind,” Sandy replied, with a disctnso- late shake of the head. ‘‘ And unless I do, I fear I will have a hard time in petting Maggie,” ‘* But see here, old fellow, I don’t want to wound your feelings by saying anything against your lady-love, of course, but it seems to me that she isn’t acting exactly as a girl ought to act. If she really does Jove you what differ- ence does it make whether you are rich or poor —or, to put it more correctly, what difference does it make if there is another man after her who has a deal more money than you possess?” Eddie Livingstone remarked, with that prae- tical good sense for which he was noted, ‘ She ought to look at the man and not at his money.” ** Yes, that is true, every word! There is no doubt about it,” Sandy MacAlpine admitted. ** But you must take into consideration the fact that the girl has not made up her mind as to which one of the men who are after her she likes the best. I must do her the credit of say- | that she has not shown any. decided par- ity for any one of us, although I think that this rancher, Wallace, and I have a decided lead over the other.” ‘** Yes, that is the general opinion.” ** Now, then, the old people, Maggie’s father and mother, are just crazy after money. I don’t believe that there are two people anywhere in a, world that thinks more of a dollar than they 0. “*T believe you are right there,” the other re- marked. ‘' They are own brother and sister to the man who skinned the flea for his hide and tallow.” ‘‘And, naturally, they think the girl is very foolish to waste a thought on me when she can et a man with so much money as this Alex allace.” ‘Of course! I have no doubt they would think she ought to be put in a lunatic asylum if she made up her mind to marry a poor man when she could get a rich one just as well.” ‘* That is about the idea, ell, a girl’s father and mother have influence over her, of ccurse, and if they are continually talking to her about how much better it would be for her to take one man and give the cold shoulder to the other, it ought to produce an impression,” “That is correct,” Eddie Livingstone ad- mitted. ‘‘ And itis a strong pull in favor of your rival.” ** Yes; particularly when the girl doesn’t seem to be able to make up her min ‘* But how long is it going to be befere she does?’ the other asked in his straight, come-to- the-point way.” ‘“* Ob, I don’t know; you will have to give me some easier conundrum than that to an- swer,” - ‘* Well, of course, each man to his fancy; all men cannot be expected to conduct their love- affairs in exactly the same way, but I can tell you what it is, Sandy MacAlpine, if I had a girl like this I would make her come to a decision in a reasonable time.” ‘*Suppose she took offense at your urgency, and, on the spur of the moment, decided against ou?’ “Then I would give her up promptly, of course, and go look for another one. There is a very old motto which is an extremely true one, and that is, ‘there are as good fishin the sea as have ever been caught.’” ‘* Well, you are not in love, or you wouldn’t talk that way!” MacAlpine declared. ‘** Oh, I have been, and that is the game [ have always played,” Eddie Livingstone replied. ‘I am not the kind of man to talk much about my private personal matters, even to chums like yourself, but there is a little girl in the East who will become Mrs, Eddie Livingstone, just as soon as I get a good home to offer her, and I reckon that time will soon come; and when I courted her there wasn’t any monkey business about the matter, either. I told ber that I liked her better than any girl whom I had ever met, but that I was so situated that I could not af- ford to get married a away, but if she was willing to pledge herself to me and wait a year, then Teoula bring her to a nice home.” ‘‘She was willing, I presume, and so the course of your true love ran smoothly,” Sandy remarked. ‘* Yes; andif I were you, I should try to get your girl to say something definite. I should go and tell ber just what her father said, and put the question right to her: Is that the way she looks at the matter? Is it the money or the man she prefers?” “You are right!” Sandy MacAlpine cried, impulsively. ‘* Your advice is g and I will follow it. I might as well know my fate now as at any time.” ‘That is my idea.” ‘““By going around to the back door the chances are that I will be able to see Maggie.” ** All right, I will wait for you here,” When dy MacAlpine once made up his mind he was a determined fellow, and having come to the conclusion that it was time he learned what chance he stood he sought the girl without delay. When her household duties were not occu- pying her time it was Maggie Andersan’s cus- tom to sit at the back door of the hotel and read, and so occupied the young man found her. He had been afraid that the mother might be close at hand, which would interfere with his having a confidential talk with the gir, but as it happened, she had gone out to pay a visit, so the coast was clear. ‘“* Why, you are quite a stranger, Sandy!” the girl declared when MacAlpine made his a pearance, receiving tim with a beaming smile and a cordiality which made his heart beat high with hope. Then sbe hurried into tlie house and got a chair for him. : ** Sit down,” she said. ‘“‘I am glad you have come, for this book is a tiresome one and I would much rather talk than read.” ‘*T came just in the nick of time then.” “ Yes b 2] ‘*T am glad of that,” amd he sat down by Mag- gie’s side. “ What kind of a book is it that you are read- ing? **Oh, a real stupid love story, where the lovers quarrel and make up, quarrel and make up again just like so many children,” ** ‘When people love each other they ought not to quarrel.” ** Oh, well, lovers are not angels, and being only mortals it is vatural, I presume, that mis- understandings should occur, but it is tiresome to read about them—that is when the story is made up of nothing else.” ‘*T should think so, yet to a great many peo- pe I suppose it is interesting. All the world oves a lover, you know.” ** Does it? ell, I don’t know,” ** And speaking of love that reminds me thatr your father went for me awhile ago about pay- ing attention to you.” re Oh, did he?” and the girl’s face flushed a lit- ** Yes, he said I was too raman and that you could do much:better than to marry me.” **] wish father would mind his own business and allow me toattend to mine!” Maggie ex- claimed, decidedly vexed. ‘* And, Maggie, since he spoke to me I have been turning the matter over in my mind and I came to the conclusion to speak to you about it. You krow that I think the world of you and I should like to ascertain whether you agree with your father in the opinion that a poor man, like a re stands no chance to win you for a wife.” was putting the question bluntly enough, and for a few moments the girl was confused. She cast her eyes upon the ground and her face was Ag a blushes. buccuty Maik orgive me for speaking so abruptly, MapAtoind continued, ‘* But your father’s wards roused in me a desire to know my fate and so I have spoken.” ** Sandy, I can assure you that I do not share my father’s opinion in regard to you,” Maggie } } é rs. . . _ i - : 4 J * ‘< e >» oe? Pe re ee ee Te ee Lone Hand, the Shadow. said slowly, raising her big blue eyes in which now shone a different light from what the young man had ever seen there. ‘** Of course, 1 am not aromantie girl,” she continued, ‘* [do not believe that a woman ought to marry a man because she thinks she loves him unless she is satisfied that he can take care of her in a proper manner, but that doesn’t require a fortune, you know,” and the faint smile which came over her face as she pronounced the words wig cig ve the sie y§ at aggie, my darling, you give me new life!” MacAlpine etalalihads at! ‘Take care now!” she warned with uplifted finger. ‘* Don’t let your enthusiasm run away with you. I[ haven’t admitted that 1 cared for you yet, you know. AllI said was, that if I did care for you, the fact of your not being as rich as some of the other men in the town would not make any difference to me,” ‘Ts not that about the same, Maggie, as ad mitting that you do eare something for me?” he asked. ‘* Well, yes, I suppose it is, but don’t build too much hope on that. I will tell you frankly, I have been a coquette so long that 1 don’t know us I will ever be able to make up my mind to marry, for I cannot decide which of my ad- mirers I like the best, and until [ am certain on that point, of course, it is not possible for me to make a decision. Just now, when you are with me, I think [like you the best; when you are gone and another gentleman comes, [ begin to think I have made a mistake, and that I like him as well as I do you.” ‘* But some day something will happen to make you know the truth, and until that comes I am prepared to wait and hope,” Sandy declar- ed. ‘*' Good-by!” He rose to depart, and offered his hand, Rising she clasped it; then, with a sudden im- pulse, he clasped her to his breast and kissed her i ‘* Oh, don’t!” she murmured, but not in anger, and glided from bis arms, ** Good-by!” again he said, laughing, and was gone, while Maggie ran into the house, her cheeks in a flame. CHAPTER XXVIIL A NEW NEIGHBOR, WHEN Sandy MacAlpine rejoined Eddie Liv- ingstone, that gentleman was astonished at the change in his appearance, MacAlpine came round the corner of the bouse with the air of a conqueror, his head was carried high in the air, there was a bright smile upon his face, and he trod like a man who owned every foot of ground upon which his feet trod. ‘** Hello, hello! This is a change!” Livingstone cried. ‘‘I reckon that you have not got the mitten as much as you might.” ‘* No, sir; Iam proud to say that if I have not been accepted [have not been discouraged by a refusal.’ , ‘“Oho! Is that the best you can say?” the other asked, in amazement. ‘‘ Why, I imagined from your manner that you had not only pro- and been accepted, but the wedding-day ad been fixed.” **Oh, no; but Maggie spoke frankly—told me that she was not able to make up her mind, but if she did come to the conclusion that she liked me better than any one else, the fact that I was not a rich man would not have any weight with her,” “TI see that Se go on the motto, ‘ the smallest favors thankfully received.’ Well, it is all right; if you are satisfied, no one else hasa right te complain, but if I was in your place it strikes me that I would consider I had not got much pork for my shillmg—not much satisfaction, you know.” And as Eddie Livingstone ke he led the way to the corral where their horses had been ut, PM Oh, well, we cannot all look at these matters in the same light,” Sandy MacAlpine replied, his tone full of life and joy. He could not explain toeven his chum exactly how matters stood. He could not tell him that he had held the gir) tohis heart and pressed upon her ripe, red lips the seal of love, and al- though he had not asked the favor—had taken ag by i sino yet he was satisfied that the kiss had not n all on his side, the pressure had been returned. ‘“‘ What need has the tongue for speech, When the eyes can pray and the lips can preach?” The pair mounted their horses and rode out of Greerville, taking the homeward trail. ‘“You are satisfied to keep right on, then!” Eddie Livingstone asked, marveling at the ex- ultation displayed by bis chum, ‘Oh, yes, perfectly satisfied.” ‘By Jove! it is really astonishing how a pret- ty girl can twist a man around her finger iad times,” Eddie Livingstone commented. ‘ Talk- ing of chasing sunbeams, it isn’t a circumstance to a man running after a woman.” ‘*Oh, you are only envious because your girl is away off so that you can’t get at her.” ‘*AmI? And you are satisfied? Upon my « com cboo S —? ; , s (¢ (0)