The Dugdale Millions — page 118: what you’re looking at

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

108 THE DUGDALE MILLIONS. and when he did, he saw clearly that Mr. Stanton was right in the position he had assumed. ‘‘T will have to state the matter as it really is,’’ Dick said, after a moment’s reflection. ‘‘It is true that I have an affection for Bessie Hetlow. It is of long standing. It would be difficult for me to tell when that attachment did not exist. It began when I first met her, when she was a child and I a mere boy. Uncle Tom, who secured me a place with Hetlow, Altmount & Co., was an old and attached friend of Mr. Hetlow. As I say I used to go to the Hetlow house. My love for Bessie has been the best senti- ment of my heart all these years—perhaps my incen- tive to win a place for myself. But whether that sen- timent is reciprocated, I am unable to state. Not long ago I flattered myself it was, but recently certain events have led me to doubt whether her interest in me is any more than a friendly one, born of long acquaintance. While I have been at no pains to con- ceal the regard I have for her, I have said no words of love to her, nor have I asked for her love in return. Mr. Hetlow does not disapprove of my suit, for no suit has been actually made. He does not oppose, be- cause, if for no other reason,he does not imagine there is anything to oppose. I have the right, at this time, to assume that he will make no opposition. The idea that he would make opposition is based upon the fact that, a few years ago, Mr. Hetlow intimated to me that it was not the proper thing for a junior clerk to seek to enter his employer’s house upon terms of social equality. I resented this, in the only way I could, by refusing to enter his house at all, except when busi- ness requirements compelled it. At the time, I could not see why a boy could be admitted to the run of the house, and a junior clerk could not. When I was older I reasoned that Mr. Hetlow saw danger likely to arise from permitting a young man to associate with a young lady, his daughter, when there was none while Comicbooks.€© 5}