The Winchester appeal. [volume] (Winchester, Tenn.) 1856-1856, 1856-03-01

man TO Hcf 9aJner. AS 10 Jnc issue Oh
the reference, she had well-groundcd
fears.
The day thai followed this declara-
ton was one Of anxious suspense to
Laura. She was alone, late in the at.
ternoon, when her father came into
the room where she was sitting. She
saw instantly what was in his mind;
there was a cloud on his face, and she
knew that he had repulsed her lover.
Laura" said he gravely. as he sat
down by her side, 81 was exceedingly
surprised and panied to-day to receive
from young upstart attorney, Of
whose family no one has ever heard,
an offer for your hand, made, as was
affirmed, with your consent. Surely,
this affirmation was not true?"
A deep crimson flushed the face Of
Laura, her eyes fell to the floor, and
she exhibited signs of strong agitation.
"You may not be aware" continued
Mr. Woodville, "that Mr.. Allison has
been to me with a similar applica-
ton"
"Mr. Allison"
The eyesof Laura were raised quick
ly from the floor, and her manner ex-
hibited the repugnance she felt.
81 can never look upon Mr.. Allison
as more than a FRIEND" she said calm
ly.
"Laura, hasit indeed come to this"
said Mr.. WoodvilIe, really disturbed.
"Will you disgrace yourself and iami-
ly by vulgarupStart from the lower
ranks, when an alliance so distinguish
ed as this is offered! Who is PEREZ
val! Where is he from? What is his
origin"
81 regard raher his destiny than
his origin replied the daughter, 'lor
that concerns me far more dearly than
the other. shall have to tread the
way my husband goes, and not the
way he has come. The past is past.
In the future lies my happiness or mis-
cry"
"Are you beside yoursclf?" exclaim-
ed he, rather losing his sell-command
before the rational calmness Of his
child.
"No, father" replied Laura, "not
beside myself. In the principles that
govern Mr.. Allison have no conf
dence, and it is a mans principle that
determines the path he is to tread in
life. On the other hand have the
fullest confidence in those of Mr.. Per-
cival, and know where they will lead
him. This is amatter in which can
not look back to see from whence the
person has come; everything depends
on knowledgeas to where he is 60
ing"
do you know said Mr.. Woodville,
not giving the words Of his child the
smallest consideration, "that the father
of this fellow PercivaI, was a day-la-
borer in one Of Mr. Allison's manufac-
turing establishments "a mere day la
borer!"
81 have heard as mu,h. Was he not
an honest and honorable man."
madness grip calculated Mr..
Woodville at this question, still furth-
er losing his self-control. "Do you
think that | am going to see my child,
who has the blood of the Ps., and Rs,
and SIS, in her veins, mingle it with
the vile blood of a common laborer?-
You have been much in error, if, for a
moment, you INDUCED in the idle
dream. positively forbid all inter
course with this Percival. Do not dis
obey me, or the consequence to your.
self will be of the saddle st kind"
AS her father ceased speaking, Lau
ra rose weeping and left the room.
A deep calm succeeded to this sud
den storm that had fallen from a sum
mer sky. But it was Indicative of /;
heavy and more devastating Storm
Laura communicated to Percival tn,
fact other painful interview with he
father, and at the same time gave hin
to understand that no change in hi
views was to be expected. and that t.
seek to effect change would only b,
to place himself in the way of repuls,
and insult. Both of these the youn!
man had already received.
| A few months later, and fully avow
ing her purpose, Laura left the house
of her parents and became the wife o
Percival. Sometimes it is wise, ant
there are some instances where it i
not, to take such step. In this in
stance the pain was severe on eacl
side. Mr.. Woodville loved his daugh
ter tenderly, and she felt for her ia
ther a more than common attachment
But he was a proud and selfish man
The marriage of Laura not only dis
appointed and mortified, but made