M'arthur Democrat. (McArthur, Vinton County, Ohio) 1853-1865, 1855-06-01
THE HEARTS ARK OF REFUGE
HaOR.ss
Il GIRLS DILEMMA.

This is the anniversary of an impor,
'ODt day in my life, will keep it By
recording the events that led to my pres.
ent position. Let not those stay to read
whose hearts have grown too old to rel.
ish love story.
At eighteen, was one Of the most
thoughIless human beings. My widow
ed father, rich merchant, had humor
every whim from infancy, and asked
nothing OF me in return but lighiheart-
ednesS aud affection. No one could have
known less than | Of the shadows aud
soTrowso Of life, OF have been more thild.
iShly occupied in the present 1t was
The might OF my first ball, to which |
was to be introduced under the most fiat.
IeTing auspices. was half wild with
excitement, aud the moment my toile:
WAS completed lew down stairs to show
myself 10 uy father, who was not going
with me, Us at tilrstarrJnged, being pre-,
vented he slid,by sudden aud lusurmoun.
Table engagements. Well rememb Der
how impatienI'y burst open the dim
ing'room door, aud with whata bound
ot elation | spraig towards the spot
where he stood, spreading out my beau.
,iIul dress, and making before him a
sweeping courtesy. seem to hear now
the soft rustic of lace aud satin; to feel
the { Ow that burned en- my cheeks, and
ihe quick throbhings of my happy heurt.
| had not at first noticed, in my eager
ness, that the table was covered with
papers, and that my father was not alone
Mr.. Lacy, barfister d. law. his FREUD
and mine-for hOd known him from my
cTsdIe-sat opposite TO him, ard sec
ond glance showed me how gave aud
anxious were the faces Of both.
"Whtt is ;he matteI?' asked, lay.
ing my hand carressiugly on my fathers
shoulder. He looked al me foGdly till
saw the tears brim his eyes.
My darlns" he said. in an abrupt
passionate way. ave will not ,eIl her,
Lacy7 |. would be cruel. Let her have
at least few more happy hours; she
need not know tonight How will she
bear III"
Mr.. Lacy looked Increasingly grave
| had become yer! grave too; nv child
ish excitement seemed To have given
place to a sudden and almost womaGly
seriousness.
lt is no use hiding anything from Inc,
| said, trying TO smile though trem.
bled in vague fore bodng. # could not
SO TO the ball now; tell me what it is
has happened" The expression of IN,
fathers face deepened to anguish; he
put his hands before it, as il the sight o
me was too painful too bear. turned
TO Mr.. Lacy.
"Do you tell me! implored. Mr.
Lacy fixed upou me the fine searching
eyes whose reproOl ha& been the sores
penalty Of my life hitherto. and kept uT
the scrutiny till could bear il no longer
earnest and kindly as it was. kueaI
on cushion before him. and leaning my
arms or his knees in Gavorite attitude
| returned his gaze with a steady thougt
fearful one.
Try me- said; perhaps am more
than the giddy child you think me. Be
sides, it cannot be so dreadlul-you art
both alive and wel'
A peculiar expression passed over Mr.
Lacys face. He seemed hesitatin,
whether to draw me into bis arms, o
pnsb ME from him; he did neither, bu
rose up suddenly, putting me gentl.
back, aud took d lew turns through TIT
room.
'Halford,' he said. presently, and ii
sgltated tones, 'once more | renew m
offer. OF what use is wealth like min,
10 lonely msn2 With the help cal
give, you may keep your credit, ant
pEeast this storm. You shrink from al
obligation there is a chance of your new
or being able to canceI2 Well | wi
change places with you. Give me i
Teturn--that is. if can Nin he: To con
sent-your drgghter as my wife! NJ
father looked up with literal gasp Q
esionishment. Mr.. Lacy went on with
out beediDg him. 4 anna fool, no doubl
he suid. but the time has long gone b
when Mildred was child 10 me. Fv
the last two years. have felt from "a
depths Uf my heart ihst she was a won
AM | have fought against the insan