Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1858-10-16


arond him and would not be rejuiced to see
US cling together, bound by ties and strong as
life, and cherishing his memory by our mutu-
al sfiection2"
Mildred replied in some common-places,-
rather wondering at the vein OF sentiment,
and in no way suspecting the object which
her step.mother bad in view.
Mrs Knloch continued :-"Hugh needs
some new attraction no< to detain him ; he
is tired of the sea, but ne finds the village dull
He is just Of the age to think of looking for
some romantic attachments but you know
how few girls there are here whose manners
and education are such as TO please cultiya,
ted mar"
Mildred grew uneasy, but remained silent.
Mr3. kinloch was every moment more eager
in her manner; novice, waiting for the turn
of the cards 10 rouge ell noir, would not have
manifested a greater anxiety as to the result.
But the girl looked out of the window. and
did not see the compressed lips, dilated nos
trils, and glitterug eyes that gave such a
contradiction to the bland words.
mildred. my daughter" shescontnusd, 81
have no secret from you,-least OF all about
matters that concern us both. Don't you
see what would say Don't you know what
would make our circle complete, inseparable?
| Pardon the boidness Of fond mother, whose
only desire is to see her children happy"
| Mildred felt tear dropping upon the
hand which Mrs. Knloch held with pas
sionate grasp. She felt the powerful mag
netism which the woman exerted upon her,
aud she trembed but still kept silent.
lit is for Hugh that ! speak. He loves
you. Has be not told you so p
II do not wish to talk with you about il,
said Mildred.
But | have q right, as his mother and
your guardian, to know. should be wanting
10 my duty, if / suffered your happiness to DO
pered for want Of O clear understanding be-
tween you. Hugh is proud aud sensitive,
and you bashful and just the least foolish !;
so that you are at cross purposes"
Hugh fully understands my feelings to-
wards him."
You have given him encouragement ?"
she asked, eagerly.
None whatever; it would have been
wrong 10 me to do So"
Wrong to love him Why, he is your
brother only in name"
Wrong to encourage him in love do
not and cannot return" replied Mildred, with
q mighty effort, at the same time dsengagng
her hand.
Mrs. Kinloch could not repress feeling
saw the clear, brave glance, the heightened
color and the heaving bosom of the girl.
But in time, you may think differently,
she said, almost piteously.
IL wished to be spared this pain, mother
ildred replied, trembling at her own bold
ness, but you will not let ne !; and | must
tell you, kindly, but decidedly. that | never
could marry Hugh under any circumstances
! whatever"
! Her mother did not vince at the rebuff,
but followed on even closer "And why
J Who is there more manly, we'll educated,
kindly, dutiful. than Hugh 2"
Il don't wish to analyse his character
probably we shouldn't altogether agree in
our judgment brt it is enough that | don't
feel in tho least attracted by him, and tha;
( could not love him, if be were all that you
imagine"
Then you love anotter!" said Mrs. Kin
loch, Gsrcely
Mildred was excessively agtated; but
though her voice trembled, her voice was
clear aud soft as it had been. Yes, DC
love another aud | don't hesitate to svo"
it,"
"That blscksmiths upstart!" in still
louder key.
"You mean Mark Davenport, probably
/
drought up in coal dGst-the spoiled
aud forward pet Of foolish old stutterer
who depends for his bread on his dirty work
and who, if he had only his own. would have
to leave even the hovsl he works in." il
was fearful TO SEQ how these contemptuouI
words were hissed out by the infuriatet
woman.
Mildred was courageous, bot she had no
passed through the discipline that bad de
veloped her step mnthsr's faculties. So sh'
burst into tears, saying, amid her sohs, tha
Mark was allowed by oil who knew him, t.
be yoang man of promise that, Tor herself
she didn't care how much coal dust he ba'
been through - that would wash of; that a
any rate, she loved him, aud would never
marry anybody else.
Mrs Kinloch began to consider. Ange
had whired her away once second explo
sion might create an irreparlble breach be
tween them.
Don't lay up what I have said, Mildred
she urged, in a mild voice. "If | object I,
your choice, it is because ] ON proud Of yo'
and want you TO look high. You can MARI!
whom you choose no rank or station neei
be considered above you Come, don't CT.
dear!"
But Mildred refused TO be sooihed Sh
INou'u Win lIOplCui
ture, that smiled like sunshine at one moment
and the next burst into the fury of tornado
she pushed of the beseeching hand tnrEe
from the offered endearments, and with red
dened. tear-stained face, left the room.
Hngh presently passed through the hail.
We'll, mother" said be, Il suppose 20
think you've done il now"
60 about your business you foolish boy
she retorted. go and try something ths
you do know about You can snare a pal
! fridge, or shoot woodcock, perhaps |"
CHAPTER XIII.
Mildred had now no peace after wha
had happened, she could not meet Hugh an
, his mother with sny composure. The sche
} ming woman had risked everything in th
appeal she mado TO her daughter-r riske
everything. and lost. Nothing could reslor
, harmony; neither could forget the struggl
and live the old, quiet life. Mrs. Kinlorl
always pursued by anxiety, was one day fu
oil courage, fraiiful in plans and resources
and the next day cast down into the pit {
despair Now she clang to her first bop'
believing that time, patience, kindness, woul
soften Mildred's resolution then, seeing th
} blank indifference with which she treate
7 Hugh, sho racked her invention to proSid
other means OF attaining her end.
Again, the thought Of her inexplicabl
, loss came over her, aud she vas frigbtsne
TO madness; creeping ehills alternating wit
cold sweats, tortured her. Ii vas myster