The Ashland union. [volume] (Ashland, Ashland County, Ohio) 1854-1868, 1857-08-26
Sflttt M(istelIanp,
THE PERIL OF THE Law.

'Amelia,' said Squire Freeland to his
daughter, as they sat together near a
vine embowered window or Freeland
Lodge, in a pleasant room, half library,
half sportsman's cabinet; L have how
told you all-my cmbarrassments Sir
Robert Ashland's shes. He loves
you, and if you marry him your future
is assured; while, on my part, 1 have
little to give you, and if you neglect this
opportunity, you wi be compelled to
unite yoursclft to some one beneath you
in rank and perhaps equally poor.
Dear father, said the beautiful girl,
4 never laid my stress upon wealth or
worldly position
"A girls estimate of life, my child,
said the Squire. Love in cottage is
a very pretty feature in poem-but
even one of your favorite poets tells you
that when love finds 10 mutton and po-
tatoes on the cottage table, he opens the
window fiji es out and off. And what is
love after ALL mean the love that en-
dures and sustains us through life? 1t
is not the dazzling fame that so many
silly moths burn their wings at, but an
attachment based on reason and strength
ened by use. And you 1 am sure, have
10 silly romantic attachment to bliud
your eyes to the solid advantages offer
ed by Sir Roberts suit
Amelia made TO answer, and did not
raise her eyes from the rose she was bu
sy in picking to pieces.
'Mr. Martin. to wait upon my LADY,
said servant entering.
Sir Roberts private Secretary !, said
the Squire. He comes upon this bust
ness, I'll be bound. Now, Amelia. think
well # your answer. Hi speak with him
a moment, and then sekd him to you.
Amelia rested her head upon her hand
and seemed engaged in thought, until
the opening of the door again diverted
her attention, and the handsome Secre-
tary of Sir Robert Ashland stood before
her, Her first impulse was to extend
her hand with warm girlish greeting,
but the GOODNESS and almost severity of
the young mans manner checked her
She therefore simply bowed, and reques-
ted him to be seated
Il beg your pardopi madam, but must
return Immediately to Sir Robert. He
bade me say that he should have come
to you himself, and had set apart half
hour for that purpose before the county
meeting, when an inOpportune visitor
deprived him of the pleasure. He chag-
ed me then as his confidential Secreta-
ry-he called me his friend-to learn
from your own lips the answer to his
suit He could not sleep without know
ing it,
Luke said the young girl, gazing at
the young man earnestly, what answer
shall 1 give him? You have been an old
friend-a playmate-you know whether
Sir Robert is-in a word, my answer
will depend on you
The messenger turned deadly pale
he rested his hand on the back of a chair
to sustain himself, and then sank into it.
Amelia sprang to his side.
Good heavens you are ill-Mr. Mar
tin-Luke 1 will ring for assistance
Stay I conjure you'll said Martin,
almost imperiously. 1t was nothing; a
momentary faintness-but it has passed
away. You ask me of Sir Robert Ash
land, my benefactor. Believe me, he is
the noblest of men. Hehas all the quail
tiles to render the woman he loves hap
py, and--he loves you. He is richie
bares an honored name. II have
done my duty he added to himself-
Then his eyes followed anxiousIy every
movement of the squire's daughter, as
she sat down to an escritore and hastily
peuned note, which she handed to Mar
tin. The Secretary thought that there