The Kalida venture. [volume] (Kalida, Ohio) 1841-1865, 1846-05-07
WHOLE NO. e7l.

equal. Forgive my presumption. Il will
annoy you with my presence no more. Fare
welln
His ha nd was upon the door, it was OPEN
ed, and nearly closed behind him before
Mary had recovered herself, but then start
ing suddenly up she exclaimed, (" mr. Ash
ley, stay. You shall not think thus of me,
| will 60"
"No, Miss Winslow, do not wish that
your generosity should lead you 10 do that
which costs you SO evident struggle. Your
happiness is of more value to me than nv
own qualification. Fortune has placed an
impossible barrier between US, and il is
better than we never meet gain Good
morning"
Mary had recovered her selEpossession,
and her decision. " Mr.. Ashley" said she,
"will you ride with me this afternoon?"
81 will"
"Ah Mary Winslow, where is the boasted
calmness OF thy mind? the cold discretion
which has been thy pride? Where are the
guards with which thy heart was set. Be-
hold thou ert weeping like child over tho
image of one whom thou wouldst fain Danish
from thy heart. What is the paper which
lies srushed in thy hand? A note that Law
concealed amid the leaves of that bouquet!
Thou hast read it, and what does it contain!
Words of burning import to thyself, and Of
little value TO the world beside? Keep them
then, we would not know them, for even
with thee they have but added to thy grief.
But hush, thou'rt calmer now, what are thy
words? "Why was he ever doomed to cross
my path? why have suffered myself to be-
come thus interested in one upon whom all
others look with contempt? Am not mis-.
tress my own affections? 1t were better
that we had parted then, but it was so sud.
den, 10 think of never meeting him again.
Yet it shall be. This meeting shall be our
last. | will tell him frankly how regret
our acquaintance, and know that he will ap-
prove my judgment-he will respect me the
more for dealing openly with him." (Ha!
what carest thou for the respect of one whom
it is thy duty to despseD "Yes | will.
My father shall not have occasion 10 be an
noyed about the persons with whom as
sociate." Aye Mary, thy father has been
thy idol, and his wish thy law. Is there yet
bond on earth that can bind thee more
strongly than this? Wilt thou abide by the
wise resolution thou hast formed? We
shall see.
CHAPTER w.
eff his head, and heart are what Ga think
| would marry him tho he were a chin
ney sweep" and Mary returned her fathers
serious glance, with look as calm and de-
cided as his own.
"Mary have you pondcred well what you
say"
81 have. l do not think the happiness of
life depends at all on wealth, its luxuries
may, but not its pure enjoyment. would
rather make my abode in the humblest cot
where could find sympathy Of thought and
feeling, than in the proudest hall that ever
rung to the tread of the hollow hearted.
know that poverty has its trials, and know
too it would be a trial to me to sink from the
circle of society in which have been ac-
customed to move, but it would gpeater
one TO infci wound upon noble spirit
"Do you suppose Mary, that hollow.
heartedness is confined TO the halls ofwealth,
Do you not know that the wealth which YOU
are supposed to possess, would be shining,
mark to one like Ashley, and can you sup.
pose that il is disinterested affection rather
than self interest, which has led him to seek
you?"
81 do suppose it, sir. Do you think
would have encouraged the attentions of
such one as he, had not supposed that he
was incapable of grovelling thought"
"Ah my daughter, fear you will yet learn
bitter lesson Of the deceit of the world
But think il my duty to remove as far as
possible from you, the snare into which you
seem to be falling. have before told you
that should leave you to your own choice
in marriage, but let me also add that if you
marry this man not cent of my property
will be yours until your husband can bring
an equal sum to meet your DOVER"
Blu, you will not Withhold from me your
love-"
My love will always follow my child,
however deeply | may be grieved by her or
rors."
"Thank you dear father, thousand
thanks. | ask not for your gold, believe
that shall exchange it for the true gold,
which, though it looks not bright and gilt
tering to the eye of men, will yet be to me
a mine of wealth, to which that which fills
your Golfers will bear no comparison"
Hurry Lucy, do, the hour for the we'd
ding is past already, and they are very pune
tual at Judge Winslew's. Come, the oaf-
rlage is at the door, would not miss seeing
the company for any thing. want to know
bow Mary looks throwing herself away
whether she appears as happy as she has
done all along Poor girl, she'll repent il
yet most bitterly. Such things may seem
very romantic beforehand, but when the rsss.
:.