Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1855-03-09

1eaIS OF IMAGINATION lorced themselves
into her eyes, but she wiped them hastily
away at the sound Of doubIe-knock at
the street door.
He is coming' cried the friendly
Julia pray consider well how it will be
best for you to receive him.
Il have considered. You shall see how
well will act my part reblied Alice.
She sat down and added few words to
a half finished letter. from which she
had been sumwsened by her father to re-
ceive his orders respecting her future
husband.
Another moment, and Mr. Everett was
shown in. He was man of middle
height, and would by many have been
accounted handsome but there were
hard lines in his face, and hard cold
EXPIRE s>ion upon il, that rendered him
forbldding, il not actually repulsive.
Julia looked from him to her friend,
and was evlden,ly amazed at the change
that had come over her. Every trace
Of ag,tat ion and anger had passed from
her face, except circle of light that sur
rounded the pupils of her eyes-She was
deadly pale but not finger trem bled
now the tremulus nostril was still.
Pray be seated sir, said Alice, half
rising, but without leaving her desk, or
noticing his extended hand, while she
mo,ioned him to a chair on the other
side of,he table my father informed
me that you would call this morning to
speak to me on business.
Business = repeated MIR Everett, hold
ing the back of the chair without sitting
down. Pardon me, Miss Gardner,
think you are under a mistake. The OBJ
called business
In strict truth it is nothing else, SAID
Alice, "a mere matter OF pounds, shllings
and pence, and this ceremony OF consult.
ing me is merel y sham, as ceremonies
generally are
Upon my word, Miss Gardner he
replied, L cannot understand You
That is quite lmnatctlal.' she said, IL
the same calm, business tone; il you had
considered i. oi any Consequence TO un.
derstand me-lf you had recognized III
me any right or capacity to Judge for
myself in a matter that concerns my
whole future exlstence-you would have
ascertained the state Of my feelings to-
wards you before concluding the bargain
with my father. Your not having done
so reduces the atilIr To mere business
transaction. Alter having arranged eve
ry,hIug with YOU, without, either OF you
deeming 1t requisite to consult my lnclin-
alons, my father commands Inc To marry
you. Ii do SO, it will be merely all ac,
OF obedience on my part. Affection Is
of course Idle to speak OF. You will not
expec, it, having never sought ii.
lam completed y bewIldered and aston.
ished.' said Mr. Everett. when a slight
pause IN her speech enabled him to get IN
a word; oh one poln! only can conf
prehend your meaning. You intend TO
abide by your fathers decision! am
glad to hear that. An obedleut daughter
will make an obedient wife
You consider the affair as settled
then, said Alice; you will find my father
in the library She bowed her head
and resumed her letter wIillng.
i must say that your conduct is very
extraordinary. Miss Gardner, said the
gentleman, who did not look very much
at his ca Sc. May solicit few words
with you in prlvate'
The presence of my friend Mrs Hut.
ton need not interfere with the idea oi
privacy replied Alice. Il should repea,
the whole conversation to her II she were
not here. Besides, what can you have
10 say that she may not listen tot
Miss Hutton doubtless deserve to be
your friend and contidant, he said grave
ly; blu, nevertheless the tender avowals
of love should be held sacred from even
the dearest friend
why attempt to kept up this hmsy
disguise? responded Alice. in tone
where impatience aud contempt strove
for utterance; If you think it necessary
TO make some fine speeches on the occa.
sion, il would be more 10 the purpose to
address them to the money bags for which
you will marry me. Since you have
thought Fl, to consul, my father hitherto
sir, il will be as well to continue to do
SO. am no. ye. bound to obey you; and
as you are not courteous enough TO leave
me when request it, | will retire TO an.
other room.
She swept pas, him, and out Of the
door, followed by Julia, trembled in eve.
~ limb, and could scarcely support her
self, SO terrified was she IN anticipation
Of the storm that poor Alice would bring
upon her head from her lrrascible and
domineering father.
4 The moment they were IN another
apartment, Alice hastily turned the key
and threw herself into her friends arms
in a passion of hot, bitter. Indignant tears
III am forced to marry him. she ex'
claimed, Il vow that every thought and
effort while my wretched life continues
shall be devoted to making him repent
his cold.bIooded cruelty
You Must not marry him. said julia
your father cannot compel ,ou TO do SC
against yonr will. You must summon up
your spirit and frmness, and and resist
You don't know what my father can
do replied Alice. despondingly. Reflect
on what you have already seen of the
stern. unyielding authority with which he
rules me. From my earliest Infancy,
have never known what it was to receive
from him pa,ernal endearmen., or a
word of kindness. Commands coercion
that was all; and for the slightest act