“Mr. Dalton,” Earle now said gravely, yet feeling as if he could hardly keep his hands off the man for wounding her so, “may I ask _what_ your objections are to my union with Miss Dalton?” “It seems exceedingly strange to me that you should _need_ to ask any _respectable_ and honorable citizen what his objections would naturally be to _your_ marrying his daughter,” was the intensely sarcastic reply. Earle flushed, but still controlled himself. “I understand you, sir,” he said, proudly “but I can assure you that I am guiltless of the deed which you would impute to me. I have even now a clew to the real culprits——” “You have?” Mr. Dalton interrupted, with a startled look. “Yes, sir, and though I have suffered a felon’s disgrace; yet let them once be brought to justice, and my name will be cleared from every breath of taint.” “_Your name will be cleared from every breath of taint!_” Mr. Dalton repeated, with an emphasis and look that made Earle start violently and regard him with perplexity. Then he answered, with firm assurance: “Yes, sir; I think I can safely promise that in six months from this time I shall be able to convince you that I am as honorable and respectable a man as you yourself claim to be, and shall be able to offer Miss Dalton a position in life that even you will be proud to accept for her.” Mr. Dalton now started as if stung at these last words, and his face would have been a study for a painter. He had grown very pale while Earle was speaking, and his countenance wore a half-frightened, perplexed expression, while his eyes were fixed upon the young man as if fascinated. “How can you do this thing? What do you mean?” he at last demanded, in a wondering tone. “Pardon me if I say I cannot explain just now,” he answered, with a slight smile, and a quick, fond glance at Editha, as if _she_ would be the first one to be told of any good that came to him; “but, providing that I can thus convince you of my honesty and respectability, will you then consent to my union with Editha?” “_No!_” burst from the irate man, who seemed to recover himself at this question. Earle looked surprised, and as if utterly unable to comprehend the man’s strange demeanor, and his peculiar animosity toward him. “Have you any _other_ objection to my making Miss Dalton my wife?” he asked, in his straightforward way. “Yes, sir, _I have_.” “May I ask what it is?” “You may ask, but it does not follow that I shall tell you. Suffice it to say that you shall _never_ marry Editha Dalton.” Earle Wayne smiled calmly. “Pardon me, but that is a question which Editha alone can decide,” he replied, respectfully but confidently. “Aha! do you think so?” sneered Mr. Dalton. Then turning to Editha, with a malicious smile, he demanded: “And what is _your_ opinion about the matter, miss?”