Page:By Sanction of Law.pdf/216

 to now; who's been all and all to you. No! Lida, child, you'll not do that."

"You'll have to give your consent, then. For I'm pledged to him and he to me."

"Who is he?"

"Will you consent if I tell you?" she bargained.

"I want to know first," he nodded negatively.

"His name is Truman Bennet."

"Bennet, Bennet—Bennet? One of the Abbeville Bennets?" he queried.

"Oh, no. He's not a southerner at all."

"Who is he then? I must know.—What does he look like?—What are his prospects in life? A father must know these things to know if it is safe to trust the life of his child with the man."

"Why not let me be the judge and trust to me?" argued Lida.

"You're but a child yet. Only a girl. I must protect you."

"Did you think that way when you and mother eloped?"

"That was different. We lived in adjoining counties."

"You married the girl you loved. She married the man she loved. I've often heard you say neither your parents nor hers were pleased."

"Your case is different," he parried.

"Yes, the case of every child is different from that of the parent. You won't like my choice. I know you won't. Yet I came all the way back here to tell you."