Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1848-08-26

The countenance of the visitor fell, and
something like frown darkened upon his
brow.
There was an embarrassing silence of
some minutes. After which the man cal
led Page said
"Mr. Mason, have made an honorable
proposal for your daughters hand. For
weeks you have evaded, and do still evade
an answer. This seems SO much like tri-
fling, that / begin to feel as fjust cause for
offence existed"
''None is intended, do assure you," re-
piled Mr.. Mason, with something depreci-
ating in his tone. "But you must remem-
ber, Mr.. Page, that you have never sought
to win the young girls affection, and that,
as consequence, the offer of marriage
which you wish to make to her, will be re-
ceived with surprise, and it may be disap-
proval. Iwish to approach her, on this
subject, with proper discretion. To be too
precpitate, may startle her into instant re-
pugnance against your wishes
'She loves you, does she not!" inquired
Page with marked significance of man.
ner.
ga child never loved parent more ten
derly," replied Mr. Mason.
s'Give her, then, an undfsguised history
of your embarrassment. Show her how
Your fortunes are trembling on the brink of
ruin, and that you have but one hope OF re-
lief and safety left. The day she becomes
my wife you are relieved from all danger.
Will you do this.
The old man did not reply. He was lost
in deep reverie. 1t is doubtful whether
he had heard all that the man had said.
"Will you DO ths!" replied Page, and
with some impatence in his tone.
Mason aroused himself as from dream
and answered with great firmness and dig
nifty:
''Mr. Page, the struggle in my mind is
over, l am prepared for the worst. /
have no idea that Florence will favor your
suit, and I will not use single argument
to influence her. In that matter she must
remain perfectly free. Approach her as
man, and win her il you have the power to
do so. 1t is your only hope"
As fstung by serpent, Page started
from his chair.
''You will repent this sir," he angrily re-
torted, sand repent it bitterly. ! came to
YOU with honorable proposals for your
daughters hand, you listened to them, gave
me encouragement, and promised me an
answer TO night. Now you meet me with
insult Sir. You will repent this.
Mr.. Mason ventured to reply, but mere
ly bowed in token of his willingness to
meet and bear all consequences that might
come.
For long time after this angry visitor
had retired, did Mr.. Mason cross and re-
cross the floor with measured step. AT
last he rung the bell, and directed the SER
want who came, to say to Florence he wish
ed to see her. .
When Florence came, she was surprised
to see that her father was strongly agitated.
''Sit down DEAR" he said in trembling
voice, 81 have something TO sayto you that
must be no longer concealed.
Florence looked wonderingly into her
fathers face, while her heart began to sink.
Just then servant opened the door and
ushered in stranger. He was tall, fine
looking young man Just in the prime oflife.
Florence quickly retired, but not before the
stranger fixed his eyes upon her face, and
marked its sweet expression.
''Pardon the intrusion sir" he said as soon
as the young girl had left the room, "but
facts that I have learned this evening have
prompted me to call upon you without
moments delay. My name is Greer, of the
firm of Greer, Miller s. Co."
MIR. Mason bowed, and said
81 know your house very well, and now
remember to have met you more than once
in business Transactions"
ayes, you have bought one or two bills
of goods of U.S." replied the visitor. Then
after moments pause he said in changed
| tone
''Mr. Mason, learned to night from a
source which leaves me no room to doubt
the truth of the statement, that your affairs
have become seriously embarrassed. That
you are in fact on the very verge of bank
ruptcy.-Tell me frankly, whether this is
indeed so. ! ask from no idle curiosity,
nor from concealed and sinister motive,
but to the end that l may prevent the
threatened disaster, lift is in my power to
do so."
Mr.. Mason was dumb with surprise at SO
unexpected declaration. He made two
orthree efforts to speak, but his lips utter
ed no sound.
"Confde to me, sir" said the visitor
''Trust me as you would trust your own
brother, and lean upon me il your strength
be indeed failing. Tell me, then, is il as
have said %
at is" was all that the merchant could
utter.
''How much will save you! Mention
the sum, and if within the compass of my
ability to raise, you shall have it in hant
tomorrow. Will twenty thousand dollar
relieve you from you present embarrass
ment 2"
"Fully."
"Then let your anxiety subside, Mr.. Ma
son. That sum you shall have. To-mor
row morning / will see you. Good even
ing" And the visitor arose and was gon
before his bewildered auditor had sufficient
, ly recovered his senses to know what t
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