Clarksville chronicle. (Clarksville, Tenn.) 1857-1865, 1858-11-12

1
his mood too well TO thwart him. .,
"You have taken the liberty, without my
consent or advice, to refuse several good
offers of marriage Of late and from gen.
tlemen, too, that would disgrace no one by
connexion with them," resumed Mr..
Richmond, in determined voice. "Win
you give your reasons for this course of
conduct 2"
''I am grateful, father, for the honor
any gentleman may have intended me by
the offer of his hand be may command
my respect and esteem, but not my love, y
replied Grace, earnestly, though respect
fully. trs a- Vs ae'f
"Your lovew exclaimed Mr.. Richmond,
-contemptuously; "and what has love to
do with the business, forsoothP 1t isn't
at all necessary to happiness 1t never
inAuenced me in my choice; and l don't
believe in the word" -tt.r r.r
Grace thought of the loved mother who,
years before, had passed to the land of
shadows; she remembered her sad, patient
smile, and the lines that grief had furrow-
ed on brow once fair and beautiful. The
daughter doubted not the truth of his
words, but was silent. Seeing that she
made no answer, Mr.. Richmond went on /:
81 have taken the matter into my own
hands. l have selected you husband,
and you will please abide by my decision" /"
"What is the gentleman's name p asked
Grace.
"Mr. Napoleon Bonaparte Fitzroyp
"And can you be serious, father ?"
"Of course, girl why mott"
al can never marry him" resumed
Grace, resolutely.
"Never marry him ~ cried her father,
angrily. "And pray will Mss Richmond
deigu to give some of her many reasons
for this unflial department" he added,
angrily. t., -r
81 would not be disrespectful, father,
replied our heroine, calmly. II will give
you my reasons, however, if you require
it. In the first place, his presence is very
disagreeable to me-"
!, "Well."
Secondly, his manners betray much
want of refinement; his conversation is
coarse, and his foppishness and egotism
, insufferable"
, "What next2'
, "His ignorance would cause woman
possessing common sense to blush at every
, word he uttered"
/. complimentary, certainly anything
more?"
every one to their taste; but do no
admire his personal appearance" continu
7 ed Grace, demurely. "Some people nigh
fancy the color of his hair, but I neve
liked red. His nose is not of the righ
shape, his mouth terribly large, his necl
r ostrich-like, person ill-proportioned ant
s awkward, his hands and feet"
a "Stuff and nonsense |" interrupted MI
a Richmond, laughing in spite of himself
:, "You have not given one sensible reason,
d "And last, but not least, do not re
spect him at all, and therefore could no
= promise to love, honor and obey him.
r added Grace.
r "You should have accepted the bracelC
g he tells me he offered you"
# 81 never accept presents from gentle
If men but were in the habit of doing SC
l. l would not have encouraged him SO muc
It for a hundred bracelets" was the fearles
a rejoinder
II "Grace Richmond, listen to me Yo
are my only child and heir. On the da
a of your marriage, if you marry accordin
s to my wishes, your settlement will be larg'
l. but ii you throw yourself away upon
d needy adventurer, 1 will cut you off wit
lie shilling. Nay, more; if you do nc
- marry the man have designated, you ar
j. no daughter of mine Ny will is irrevoc
lie able. l give you two weeks in which I
)e decide"
re Mr.. Richmond noticed not the look (
ID entreaty which Grace cast upon him, br
lc deliberately left the room
is Grace was strong minded, and did n,
ID fear, as we have seen, to express her III
III qualified sentiments to her father. 81
is knew his disposition well, and felt assure
Id his resolution would remain unshaker
EFF for the fortune of Fitzroy was probab
or the attraction that allured Mr.. Rchmon
ut A long conflict followed in the bosom
ng Grace between inclination and duty. B
n what was her duty2 Was it to sacrifice
lifetime, to crafty the avarice of faith