Page:Tom Beauling (1901).pdf/215

 Beauling remained silent.

"After this," said Dunbar, "we will never refer to these matters again. If fbere is a son of mine floating about the world somewhere, I would cut off my right hand sooner than stand in his way. As I do not know that there is, and probably never shall know, I would like to be a friend to you instead."

"God bless you, sir!" said Beauling.

"And I will never stand in your way," said Dunbar.

Beauling regarded the floor for a moment fixedly. Then he raised his head very high.

"I want Phylis, if she will have me," he said.

Dunbar smiled cheerfully.

"That was what I expected you to say in the first place," he said.

"And you won't stand in my way?"

"No."

Dunbar put out his hand. "All that," he said, "rests with Phylis."

"The words!" cried Beauling; "damn