since he could not hope for happiness himself was it worth while to send to the grave in disgrace the parent who had upon him the love of a full heart father he said with a deep sigh let me think of it a little longer give me a few days to consider during those few days thought incessantly margaret was lost to him he no longer felt any their marriage bond u doubt of that there had heen but two beings who had ever claimed his love and only one of them was left was it not best on the whole to make this sacrifice but the marriage it would be a dreadful thing without love on either side well he would leave that to those who insisted on its if mrs and her daughter were satisfied he could stand it as well as they he loved margaret whether she were dead or living and he never could love another woman if he told that his heart was cold toward her and that he was sure it never would be otherwise and if she accepted him on those terms she would have no right to complain afterward would she consent to take him when he had told her this he decided to test the matter going directly to the residence he sent up his card with a line on the back asking to see him alone before coming down she had a council of war with her general in chief whose advice was to promise anything whatever in order to bring about the marriage on the day originally set mrs believed fully that if the pair were once united time and not a very long time either would dispose of all their troubles she had a shrewd knowledge of men and great confidence in the power of her daughter s beauty to win over a husband i have decided to be very plain with you said when he had taken the hand of miss and seen that the door was behind her in the first place do you still wish to hold me to my promise miss bowed modestly in the affirmative at the same time smiling faintly she bore evidence of embarrassment and of a tendency to silence their marriage bond very well said the young man drawing a long breath now my father has had a serious talk with me and i have concluded to please him if i can do so and be perfectly honest to you i do not love you if you take me in marriage you will take my name only i shall have to repeat the words of the service or to give assent to them saying i will love honor and cherish you till death and keep myself unto you and all that sort of thing but it must be understood between us now that i shall do nothing of the kind a complete wave of crimson spread over the girl s face as she listened excuse me she said rising and moving toward the door i would rather you said such things to my mother whether i say them to your mother or to you he replied i shall never vary from them i have resolved that if you insist upon holding me to my word i will go through the marriage ceremony with you beyond that i promise nothing it was not polite to utter these expressions mr knew that very well but he was in no mood for politeness while announcing his change of mind as far as the ceremony was concerned he had the feeling of a man and he meant to make his dose of medicine to others as well as to himself he was determined if they forced him into an alliance which he detested that y should do so under no they might lead the horse to water but they never should compel him to drink miss bowed low as she left him partly to conceal the quiver of her lip and partly to hide the tears that sprang in spite of all her efforts to her eyes she their marriage u sought her mother and fell on that lady s neck with an outburst of sobs oh mother she cried it is too much to ask of me i cannot go on with this he has become positively awful slowly the widow drew the truth from the trembling mouth and a flush of indignation her brow as she heard it i will go down and see him she said sternly compose yourself my child the marriage must take place when it is over he will forget the silly notions that now cloud his brain it must take place she added with determination don t mind his in a week after you are wedded he will forget that he ever talked such nonsense and you will laugh to think you it descending to the parlor mrs greeted her with her ordinary good nature she had a game to play and must be used to the last what is the matter with you she asked with an air of how can you frighten my little girl with i have told her just what i mean he responded and i respond in her name that we will hope for a better disposition on your part said mrs with a smile there are now but a few weeks before the date that has been announced and everything will be ready on our side it is gratifying to hear that you have idea of breaking your word as to the rest let us leave that for the future if love has not yet lodged in your bosom await its advent will accord you every consideration now that she understands your mood their marriage bond he was surprised to find her in this quiet temper he would have been better prepared for an outburst of anger which he could 