Cooper's Clarksburg register. [volume] (Clarksburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1851-1861, 1851-12-31

would, perhaps, have mitigated the evil
but the barricade was too complete; he
was forced TO retreat without accomplish
ing his object"
Yes. assure you he thought 1t very
tiresome |; he told me so when we were
coming out. And then the music p pur-
sued Jessie, "the noise that they called
music Sir Edmund says he likes no
music except my guitar, or q flute on the
water and like none except your play
ing on the organ, and singing Handel on
Sunday evening, or Charles Wood
ford's reading Milton, and bits of Ham
let"
Z" Do you call that music ?" asked Ag-
mes, laughing. "And yet" continued
she. cit is most truly SO. with his rich.
Pasta.hke voice, and his fine sense Of
sound and to you who do not love music
for its sake. it is doubtless a pleasure
much resembling in kind that of the most
brilliant melodies on the noblest of instru-
ments. I myself have such grati6ea-
ton in hearing that voice recite the YER
ses of Homer or Sophocles in the original
Greek-Charles Woodford's reading is
music"
"Itis a music neither of you are likely
to hear again." interrupted Mr.. Moles.
worth, advancing suddenly towards thsm
=" for he has been ungrateful andlhaye
discharged him."
Agnes stood as if petri6ed. "Un-
grateful oh, father ]"
"You can't have discharged him, to
be sure, papa" said Jessie, always good
natured. "Poor Charles what can he
have done ?'
"Refased your hand, my child" said
the angry parent; refused to be my part
ner and son-in-law. and fallen in love
with another lady. What have you to
say to him now %
"Why, really, father" replied Jessie,
=" 1 am much more obliged to him for re-
fusing my hand than to you for offering
it. like Charles well for a cousin, but l
should not like such husband at ALL
So if this refusal be the worst that has
happened, there's no great harm done;"
and off the gipsey ran, declaring she
must put on her habit, for she had prom
ised to ride with Sir Edmund and his sis
ter and expected them every minute.
The father and favorite daughter re-
manned in the observatory.
"The heart is untouched, however, -
said Mr.. Wordsworth, looking after her
with a smile.
"Untouched by Charles Woodford, un-
doubleday" replied Agnes; "but has he
really refused my sister,?
"Undoubtedly."
"And does he love another"
"He says he does, and Ibelieve him. "
els he loved again %
"That he did not say"
"Did he tell the name of the lady z"
eyes"
do you know herr"
Eyes"
Is she worthy of him?"
"Most worthy"
&" Has he any hope of gaining her af'
fections ? Oh. he must he must what
woman could refuse him 90
"He is determined NOT to try. The
lady whom he loves is above him in eve
ry way, and as much as he has counter
acted my wishes, it is an honorable par
of Charles Woedford's conduct, that he
intends to leave his affections unsupported
by their object.
Here ensued short pause in the dia'
logue, during which Agnes appear
ed trying to occupy herself with col
lecting the blossoms of cape jessamine,
and watering a favorite geranium; but il
would not do the subject was at heart
and she could not force her mind to indif.
ferent occupations. She returned to hel
father, who had been anxiously watching
her countenance, and resumed the con,
versation.
Father, perhaps it is hardly maiden
ly to avow as much, but although you
never have in set words told me your in
tentions, have yet seen and know can
not tell how all that your kind partially
towards me has designed for your chill.
dren. You have mistaken me, father,
doubly mistaken me, in thinking me fit to
fill splendid place in society; next, in
imagining that desired such splendour
You meant to give Jessey and the lucra-
tive partnership to Charles Woodford,
and designed me and your large posses
sions to your wealthy and titled neigh
Dor. And with little change OF persons
these arrangements may still for the
most part hold good. Sir Edmund may
still be your son-in-lsw and heir, for he
loves Jessey and Jessey loves him.
Charles Woodford may still be your part
ner and adopted son. for nothing has
changed that need diminish your stfec-
tons or his merit. Marry him to the
woman he loves. She must be ambitious
indeed, if she be not content with such
destiny. And let me live on with you,
dear father, single and unwedded, with
no thought but to contribute toyour COM
fort, and to cheer and brighten your de-
clining years. Do not let your too great
| fondness for me stand in the way OF their
hanniuess Make me not so odious to