A Knight of the Nineteenth Century

ere were some persons in the parlor who were talking in an unusual manner, and he soon distinguished the voice of his niece. Haldane's words, manner, and glances at

in no "sentimental nonsense," he had not a particle of sympathy or charity for Haldane

f this ridiculous scen

been saying t

of his employer; but his tone and manner stung the yo

d what I have said conc

right to protect my n

are entirely honorable, and ther

tting high tragedy, and toward whom she felt that she had been a little harsh. Now that he was confronted by one who was disposed to be still more harsh,

r. Haldane has seen his mistake by this time. I am going home to-mo

the trouble which she had hoped to prevent, now appeared also, and by

up to my room, and I will join you the

his dictatorial habits. This fact might be explained in part by her wealth, of which he had the use, but which she still co

iant. One of the strongest impulses of this man was to crush out of those in his employ a spirit of independence and individual self-assertion. The idea of a part of his busine

said, in a tone wh

upon this matter, I would like to see you in

closed, however, he co

s big spoiled boy as an inmate o

imself to Laura, has he

his absurd, maudlin words. A pitiful offer it was, whi

ou propose to tak

sting that he remain with her till he becomes something more than a

nds do you propose

cient cause this evenin

his impude

sides, an affair of this kind should be managed quietly and wisely, and not with answering passion. You are angry now; you will see that I am right in the morning. At all events, the name of this innocent girl, my sister's child, must not be bandied about in the gossip of the town. Among young men Haldane passes for a young man. Do you wish to have it the town talk that he has been discharged because he ventured to compliment your niece with th

wish that Laura should become the theme of scandal. But as for this young firebrand of

em connected with this affair. If you would also exercise a little kindne

ins, and fast boys. It's a place of business, and if you

t send him to your factory near New York on some errand? New scenes will divert hi

well, I

nocking, or to the kind tone in which she spoke his name. She sighed, but thought that perhaps he would be calmer and more open to reason on the morrow, a

troubled, and could not do l

nything wrong, auntie?" ask

I wish I could have foreseen the trouble sooner,

ane on my account, will he?" she co

is dismissal. I think that the only result will be to teach you

I had no idea that love affairs

time the young girl departed to he

t venture down alone. Haldane and his employer sat down together in grim silence, and,

ppened to have scarcely a dollar in his pocket, and therefore concluded to wait till he had drawn his pay, or could write to his mother for funds. Then, as his anger subsided, a sense of loss and disappointment overwhelmed him, and for a long time he sobbed like a brokenhearted child. After this natural expression of grief he felt better, and became able to think connectedly. He finally resolved that he would become "famous," and rise in "gloomy grandeur" till he to

out upon the world. But as the day declined, he found the role of "gloomy grandeur" rather heavy, and he became conscious of the fact that he had scarcely eaten anything for nearly twenty-four hours. Another impulse began to make itself felt-that of fulfilling his threat and tor

ness, and he put the impulse away with a gesture and tragic expression of face that struck a sere and withered bo

a role would often mortify his tastes and inclinations most dismally; and yet, what had he henceforth to do with pleasure? But if, after he had practiced the austerity of an anchorite, she should forget him, marry another, and be happy! The thought was excruciating. O, that awful "another"! He is the fien

nful reveries by a summons to