"We promised each other,"he said,in a voice trembling with emotion;"never to allude to our talk of Christmas Eve again unless we had other proofs of what I told you then.We have none;I don't believe we'll ever have any more.I don't care if we ever do,and I break that promise now because I cannot bear to see you unhappy and know that this is the cause."Mulrady made a motion of deprecation,but the old man continued--"You are unhappy,Alvin Mulrady.You are unhappy because you want to give your daughter a dowry of two hundred and fifty thousand dollars,and you will not use the fortune that you think may be mine.""Who's been talking about a dowry?"asked Mulrady,with an angry flush.
"Don Caesar Alvarado told my daughter."
"Then that is why he has thrown off on me since he returned,"said Mulrady,with sudden small malevolence,"just that he might unload his gossip because Mamie wouldn't have him.The old woman was right in warnin'me agin him."The outburst was so unlike him,and so dwarfed his large though common nature with its littleness,that it was easy to detect its feminine origin,although it filled Slinn with vague alarm.
"Never mind him,"said the old man,hastily;"what I wanted to say now is that I abandon everything to you and yours.There are no proofs;there never will be any more than what we know,than what we have tested and found wanting.I swear to you that,except to show you that I have not lied and am not crazy,I would destroy them on their way to your hands.Keep the money,and spend it as you will.Make your daughter happy,and,through her,yourself.