American Republican and Baltimore daily clipper. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1844-1846, 1845-10-13

CHAPTER II.
ooh. c,uel Hearted fathers" Shakespeare
The morning after the events which we have
related in the last chapter, found Nj Henry
Elton in the dining-room, moody ard meIan,
choly, the papers lying unopened before him
while he wasted every kind Of sUrn:ses upon
the understandable absence of his daughter.
"a letter, sir" said Il servant, appearing al
the door, and advancing with nicely folded
paper in his hand
MIR Elton took the letter, and tbs servant
disappeared. BE broke the seal, opened and
read:
Dear Father"
His hand dropped on his knee, and his whole
frame shook AZ these words met his eyes. lie
felt that his daughters fate was contained iii
what followed, and it was some time ere he
could snmmon resolution to continue the peru
sal of the note. At length he proceeded.
"My dear father-my dear and honored ia
ther--for as such will | yet make bold to ad-
dress you. have ventured on this the first
unadvsed step that have ever taken from a
feeling that it was the only way to secure the
happiness of my after lie. My reluctance to
the union which you proposed and urged to me
you cannot help ,knowing. could ROT picture
to myself future, under the crcums.a uces,
that was not full OF sorrow and discomfort, and
surely, dear father, it could not delight you to
see her unhappy, who has hitherto obeycd You
in all things. Dear father with your ap9roba-
ton my prospect CT happiness is now clear and
unclouded and am sure when you know him
better you will not withhold your approval of
my choice. We await with anxiety an an
swer, in order that cur JOY may be completed
by the reception of your blessing
am dear father,
Your afectonate child,
MARIAN HARGRAvE.'
It would have been curious to have watched
the rapid change of Mr.. Elton's features as he
scanned this epistle The conflicting emotions
that agitated his brow at the beginning, gave
way as he proceeded, and when he had con
cluded, his pale, calm face, so cold and passion
less, utterly concealed whatever thoughts were
passing through his mind. After revery OF
some ten minutes duration he suddenly started
up and violently rang the bell A servant ap-
peared.
''Send your mistress here" said he, and
threw himself back into his seat
Mrs. Elton appeared, tall, fine looking wo-
man in the prime of life; she was his wife by
second marriage, and the step-mother Of Mari
an. Mr. Elton handed her the note and then
rang the bell again.
IuiHIculutClf W fllsS idll CHuIIlDeT,
said he to the person who answered it, land see
every thing belonging TO her packed up in
trunks directly. When you are done inform me
Of it, The servant disappeared.
"And now, Mrs. Elton, what think you of
Maran's behaviour?n continued he, to the lady
who had finished the note.
at is very strange, and totally unlike her
general conduct, returned she. "lcannot think
what could have impelled her TO it,
"Think!" rctorted he, a scornful bitter smile
quiveting his lip. "Think! Why, is it not
written there plainly enough? The union which
proposed to her would have been unfortunate
the happiness Of her life depended upon her
choice, and-and- very well! Her choice
is made, and trust she will meet with nothing
to disturb her dream Of delight !"
"But what will you do sir! something must
be DONE
"What will do did you not hear me order
her wardrobe to be got ready. Oh she shall
have every thing she owns"
"But, sir, consider; this Edward Ilargrave is
penniless; whatever may be his other qualifca-
ton am sure he has no means of supporting
his wife. If you desert them your daughter
cannot be otherwise than miserable, and-."|
"Never, in my hearing" said he, breaking
through his assumed calmncss-"never pro-