The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1846-11-07

uNnupio pu"ll'lcsI anu Ho nus HihpyJ Hc 10 soi-
fish, .
Selfish! my father selfish! You are mis-
taken, Charles. Younev were more mis-
taken. He is the most disinterestcd of hui
man beings: no woman could be more so'
cried Fanny CRANKY.
Surely his desire that you should sacrifice
your own happiness for him is not disinterest-
cdness. You perceive, from his own admis-
sion, that lie has no personal objection to me,
but cannon endure to yield TO another. His
home would he less agreeable 10 him if his
wishes ceased 10 DO the first object with his
daughter Depend upon my word, Fanny,
for once Mr. CRANKY has merged his child's
Interests in his individual gyatifcation.'
and even if your slrmise was correct,
Charles, who could blame him? But who
says that would be sacrificing my own hap
piness in fulfilling his desires" continued Fan
ny blushing deeply. Truly, should be rem
doring a very poor return for his unmeasured
devotion, if permitted the first disappoint-
ment that my father ever caused me TO cmbit
ter my whole life
Il stand corrected Miss Granny; one who
can argue thus coldly relative to the emotions
ofthe heart, is, indeed, in no particular peril.
Her happiness is quite secure
Charles you are not like yourselftoday.-
You know very well that do not argue cold
". Are the emotions Of the heart, think You,
wholly unstirred when the thought ola faith
er's love and its thousand treasured manifes-
tations rushes upon the mind? Should no
feeling ofgrattude be excited by the recol-
lection oflong years of patient aud untiring
devotion TO a spoiled and often hayward
child, because, for some mysterious reason
that we cannot solve, my father has prohibit
cd our engagement?I tell you, Charles Clar
enhaDl,' and the eye of the young girl bright
o,,1 bo,.E
sion MS she proceeded, IF | was perfectly as
sured that separation from you would blot
out every hope of earthly bliss from my heart,
would NOT hesitate to make the sacrifice
should my fathers peace demand H. Nor
should deem such sacrifice more than my
duty
you are a noble girl, Fanny, and revere
you for such sentiments said Clarenhun;
'but you forget thar you would not he the only
sufferer. |, too have loved you long and
Itenderly; how tenderly the coming years Of
existence must show; for my affections must
| ever remain true to their allegiance, even if
unrequited You have not refused to recip-
rocate my regard, and bright was the fu,urity
| ! was pcturng, when your fathers stern be-
hest threw sombrc ulgud upon it, II your
hands remove it not, flrewcllto nope aud hap
piness.'
There was an interval Of thou ghtful silence,
and hen Fanny replied, in n gentlertoue
You said my father told you he would con-
verse with me himself Charles. He never
yet denied me the slightest boon. Let us be
happy until that conference is past, and forget
yours with him.
| The lovers were entirely unconscious that
| MrGranby was'an involuntary listener TO their
discourse having entered the adjoining apart
ment in search of book at the moment of
its commencement, and been unable to leave
| it without the risk of being perceived
The soft radiance OF acknowledgement
astral lumpin nagniticeuty Unfinished n
par,ment fell on marble centre table. beside
which two persons were seated. The elder
was gentleman whose hair of silvery hue
was pushed back from Il high and handsome
brow, ftirrowod more by thought than age,
for he had scarcely passed the meridian of
| life. His companion was fair girl, who had
| numbered some nineteen or twenty years,
and whose striking resemblance to himself
would have at once suggested their relation
| ship 10 the spectator. With her eyes shaded
| bv her hand from the Observers view, she
| bent slightly over an open volume, apparent
" engrossed by its perusal. So, however, in
lerred not the gentleman, for, though seeming
occupied with that ineXhaustible source ofin-
terest to his sex, u newspaper, he had not fail
ed 10 note that the leafofthe book had been
unturned for almost an hour, and halfsup-
pressed sigh occasionally parted the lips of
! the attracted reader. The monotonous tick
| of superb mautel clock alone broke the ST.
| lence ofthe apartment until the simple word
oFanny," gently and affeetionately pronounce
cd, caused the lady to start slightly, and reply,
without raising her head, My father
! Come, aid sit by me, wish 10 converse
| with you, my daughter. do not think that
your book interests you much to-night;' said
1 Mr. CRANKY, whom our readers have probably
4 recognized. He placed himsefon sofa less
| exposed TO tho light, and Fauny,in obedience
TO his request, took seat beside him. He
put back the curls from her unusually pensive
brow, aud gazed with deep and sorrowful
tenderness upon her downcast features. My
child have YOU ever doubted my affection
| for you in the years that are gone" he asked.
| sNeverr she replied with earnesiness, al
though her voice was low and tremulous.
DO you doubt it now, Fanny"
NO, my father
yet it is not sufficient for your happiness"
he half asserted, half Inquired, in grave,em-
phatic tone.
She pressed her hand upon her eyelids to
check the tears which would not be Withheld,
and after the hesitation of moment, an
swered:
Deem mo not ungratcful my father. II
YOU could read my heart, you would discover
there no feeling contrary to reverence and
love for you. But
She ceased speaking.
But what, my child? Tell me, as ycu have
been wont to do, all your thoughts and emo
tons. You cannot fear my displeasure, for
you know my chief earthly object is the pro-
motion ofyour felicity
q am grieved, father, that Charles should
be banished from your roof, and be so miser-
able she said, IF he were happy, should