well, your face betrays you. I wished you could have seen that
little affair. Your brother, the infernal dare-devil, had gotten
tired of staying under shelter and had gone off to the side to get
a better view. He was nipped and fell, and young Langdon broke
cover and went out after him. They were just sweeping that
place, but the boy went through it, and was carrying your brother
back when he received the Spaniard’s compliments, and yef he
managed to carry his burden to the field hospital. Your brotther
would probably have bled to death if it had not been for Langdon
reaching him when he did, as we all had our hands full.’
“Then the fever set in and I had my hands full with you. You
old boy you used to spend the night calling for me and cursing
because they would not permit me to come, and it was then that
I learnt that you had loved me since that night at Tampa.
“And now as to your failure here, I am glad that you have
failed. Now, don’t look suprised. Shortly after our return from
Cuba your father evidently suspected our engagement. He called
me into the library one evening and talked with me about you.
He told how he wanted to gve you a technical education in order
that you might be well equipped to take his place at the head of
the Langdon Manufacturing Company, and he wanted me to use
my influence with you. I attempted to prove to him that you
would never make a success as an engineer, that you would not
even complete the course, but it was a waste of time. He seemed
to think that if you would only get started in that line of work
you would like it. Finally he said:
“Tell you what I’ll do, Miss La Fere, if you''will use your in
fluence .with Bob and get him to go to a technical school, I’ll bet
my house and lot on Clinton Avenue aganst a box of Huyler’s
that Bob will complete his course.’
“ ‘But if Bob fails, what will you do for him?’ I asked.
“ ‘Humph 1 I’ll disinherit the rascal; but I’ll put this into an
agreement, if you win the house I’ll expect you to take him.’
“Yesterday I received the deed for the house and a note remind
ing me of my promise. Your father was at the station when we
left, and before he thought of what he was saying, said: ,