Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1855-06-28
MISCELLANEOUS
THE ELOPENIENT
by HENRY G. LEE.

"Young man, it is useless to urge this
matter. In declining your offer of an alli-
ance with my family, am in earnest"
81 am not content with simple rejection
of my suit, Mr.. Carlton. give reasons for
my own conduct, and like to lave reason for
all acts affecting myself. Will you say why
am not worthy to claim the hand Of one
whose heart already possess! Is not my
family as good as yours"
The young man spoke eagerly, while his
brows were knit and his eyes firmly fixed on
those of the person of whom he addressed.
"Wlliam," said Mr.. Carlton manfesting a
good deal of excitement as he spoke, 81 do
not recognize your right to demand of me
reasons tor my conduct l will say, how
ever, that the happiness of my child is in my
keeping as natural right, and am bound
to protect her in every possible way l only
regard her happiness when decline the Of
fer made for her hand. know the heart of
Jessie well, and know that if committed to
your keeping it will be a broken heart in
less than five years-it may be in less than
one."
81 love your daughter, Mr.. Carlton" repli-
ed the young man to this. "Why should
break the heart of one love!"
civilian Leverng, such love as yours falls
upon the heart as blight not blessing.
know you well, your principles and your life
both are bad"
A red spot burned on the young mans
cheek, and his eyes flashed. But MIR. Carl
ton looked calmly at him.
"Think," h. added; "picture to yourself
IF in vic o,bi
your own sister, and offering the love of his
corrupt heart. Would you not step between
abandoned as you are, and risk your very
life, rather than permit the sacrhce!"
"Mr. Carlton" said Levering, 81 cannot
permit you nor any one else, to insult and
outrage me in this way"
GAS you like" returned the other, codly.
"You ask reasons for my conduct but are not
willing to hear them.''
For short time there was a silence, the
young man standing in on attitude of iIresolu
ton. Then muttering something in an un.
dertone, no retired from the presence of MIR.
Carlton.
A few hours afterwards, a servant tapped
softly at the chamber door of Miss Carlton
the young lady referred to in the brief con-
versation just given.
"What do you want, PhilpW asked
Jessie, as she opened the door,
The servant slipped a note into her hand
with an air of secrecy, and then retired.
Quickly re-entering her room, and turning
the key, Jessie broke the envelope of the
billet she had received, and read what wa!
written within. The communication wal
from her lover.
81 have seen your father" said he, "a
you so earnestly desired and the result of tn,
interview is just what expected. He wa
not content with an angry denial of my sui
but threw me off with smarting insult. II
says cannot make you happy. Heave
knows how ardently | desire to ill your Gu
with joy, even until it overrun the brlm.
the passionate love Of sincere heart ca
make you happy, Jessie, then your Who'll
life will be blessed. l cannot imagine tn
ground of lis dislike towards me. | hav
never injured him nor his family. The OF
position on his part makes me wretched.-
Are we then, to remain eve: separated! {