OCR Text |
Show 368 Bl('HARD HURDlS. bear with me if I seem rude in hurrying you thus. My misery must excuse mo, if I am less heedful than I shonld be of ordi· nary politeness." . Thus, with that nice consider at ion of character winch mad_e him somewhat a. precisian in manners, l1e strove to forget Ins own feelings in his effort to nvoid offending mine_. At that moment I could have forgiven him n far gr<'nter dH;plny of rnd~ncss than that for w11ich 110 npologizcd. "Vhcn I looked upon the face of that father, solicitous to the l:lst degree for the welfare of the beloved child of whom such cm·c hml been tak<'Jl, and thotwl1t upon the defeat of a1l his hopes, :mel possibly all of hers ,~hich had followed my narration, I could not but won· der at ~110 iron strength of soul which could Cllablc him to bear his disappointment so bravely. . He conducted me into the little room, to wlnch for the }>l"CS· cnt he had consigned me, :md taking from it n. small mahogany box, which I re:nlily conceived to be :t case of pistols, he rca turned instantly to the apartment which I left, where, n. moment after, he was j oinecl by Clifton. CAPT~ VITY. CIIAP'l'ER L . CAI'TIVITY. "To whnt gulfs A single d evinlion fl"orn the t1·nck Of humnn duties, lenJs ever those who clnim TILe homnge of mnnkind."-Sarda1wpal1t8. 41 00LUNEL On,\FTON." 369 "Mr. Clifton," were the simple forms of address employed by the two on first encountcriug. "You are surprised to sec me so soon, Colonel Grafton," was the somewhat abrupt speech of Clifton the next minute. "Surprised! not a whit, sir," was the quick r eply. " You were looked for." "Looked for, sir ! Ah ! yes, of course, I was expected to come, but not yet, sir-not for some l10urs. Yon looked for me, indc<'d, but you scarcely looked for the person who now seeks you i :md when you know the business which brings me, Colonel Grafton, you will not, I am afraid, hold me so welcome as Leforc." "Why should you be afraid, Mr. Clifton 1 BelieYC me, you were llCvcr more welcome than nt this Ycry moment- never!" was the graye and cmpltatic reply. "You seem surprised, sir, tliat I should say so, but "·hcreforc 1 Arc you surprised that I should promptly welcome the man who seeks to do so much honor to my frtrnily as to Uf'comc one of it 1 VVhy clo you look on me so doubtingly, 1\Ir. Clifton 1 Is there anything so strange in what I say 1" "No, sir, nothing, unless it be in the manner of your saying it. If you speak, Colonel Grafton, in sincerity, you add to the weight of that humility which already presses me to the earth !6• |