A Daughter of Delilah — page 111: what you’re looking at

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

102 “I MUST BUY THE PAINTED JEZEBEL!” your father is a man of very pronounced opinions. In assisting you, Imay ruinmy own cause. I am fond of your sister—extremely,’’ drawled St. Leonards. ‘‘You are a man, Alston, and should not be accountable to a father for your actions. Marry the lady, and to the duse with him!”’ ‘“‘F am dependent upon his bounty,’’ hissed Edgar, savagely. “‘And she—I cannot blame her—has given me to understand that it would be folly to wed on nothing.’’ ‘On nothing? <Aren’t you a partner in the firm of Alston & Co.?’’ St. Leonards demanded, in surprise. ‘‘A partner?’’ snarled Edgar. ‘‘No! a pauper, if my father says so!”’ ‘‘Bah Jove!”’ ejaculated his lordship. ‘‘Look here, dear boy! there is only one way of treating sucha thoughtless father. Now look you! I amamanof the world. Iam nota millionaire, but I have lost on the turf more than your father ever had, and my backing is still good. You are short of money, and you want to be independent of the old boy. I understand it. Say for six months. He’ll come round’ in six months, perhaps less. What is the amount you are short of? Speak freely, for I am in Sym- pathy with you.’”’ There were tears of emotion in his lordship’s tones, and he grasped one of Alston’s hands warmly. “I want fifty thousand dollars!’’ blurted out Edgar. He expected to see St. Leonards appalled, but his lord- ship only smiled. ‘Is that all?’’ he said, indifferently. ‘‘Ten thousand pounds! It does notsound much in pounds! Tell your father the whole story—don’t mince matters—and if he EComichbooks