The home journal. (Winchester, Tenn.) 1858-188?, 1859-09-08

enclosing 1t in an envelop, laid it up:
on his secretary, to be despatched the
following morning. By accident he
did not get it in the post until after.
noon, and it arrived at Mrs. Lovejoy's
the morning following Emmas depar.
ture.
The lady broke the seal and read
the contents according to Emma's di.
rection, and she was astonished at the
words which met her eyes. Then
when her astonishment and grief had
somewhat subsidized, she was thankful
that Emma would not see it until her
return, as she felt had it come before,
it would have marred her enjoyment.
Slipping on her bonnet and mantle,
she descended to the street, and pro.
ceeded toward Mr.. Stanly's office in
South street. She was soon admit
ted to his presence. and when once
she glanced at his hard, stern face, she
felt as if it must be the index to his
heart.
"Mrs. Lovejoy. believe" in indif.
ferent tones, and he placed Il chair at
her disposal. The lady provoked at
his coldness, Immediately broached
the subject of her visit
"IIow can you be so cruel" she ex-
claimed, in conclusion, "as to thrust
off so dutiful a child, in so chilling a
manner? 1t is unnatural" "
II am judge of my own Actions" he
replied, with cool politeness. "Shc
has shown herself no child of mine,
hencerorth she is not"
"What possible objection can you
have to Gerald 7 He is in moderate
circumstances as concerns money af-
fairs. and he is honorable and true,
beside loving Emma with an earnest,
enduring love-"
"She disobeyed me. My will was
that she should wed Ralph Edgeton,
and it was irrevocable; so is also my
last determination !" And Mr.. StanIy
turned to the documents he han been
perusing.
Mrs. Lovejoy saw that remon-
STRANGE was useless, and she quietly
took her departure, angry at the stub.
bornncss of her brother.in-law.
Meantime, Ralph Edgcton had re-
ceived Emma's note, in which she
informed him of her approaching mar
riage, and leaving him entirely free.
With a heart full of gratitude the
young man blessed the writer, and
FASTENED to place the missive in his
fathers hand. Great was the elder
Edgeton's astonishment at the pro.
ceeding, for he had expected TO real
izc considerable property by his sons
marriage with Emma.
"The ingratc" he exclaimed. "This
| know was not my friend Stanly's
doings must sec him - So say
ing, he strobe out of the room, with
out waiting to hear RaIphs vindica.
ton Of Emma.
After the first greetings were over,
between Mr.. Edgcton and his friend,
the former drew from his pocket the
note his son had received, and laid it
upon the table for the others perusal.
ut was not my fault !" exclaimed
Stanly with contra ted brow, as he
concluded it. ut was not my fault
She is disowned, she is no longer a
child Of mine"
fright my friend!' T. replied the 9th
er. "You have done as | would have
done! She deserves it ="
"Edgeton, your son too, had paced
his affection elsewhere, | have heard
so you see, both were determined to
rebel"
"Yes, have noticed it, and should
he have disobeyed me, would have
done as you have, but now it is un.
necessary.
"And then Ralph may marry whom
he chooses"
81 see no way to hinder him.
"Nor !"
"We part friends at least and
Edgeton shook his friends hand as a
proof of good will.
And now, Ralph Edgeton was free
and gladly his heart went forth to the
girl whom he had long loved in secret
and his affection was returned.-
Thanks to Emma's determination
they were happy.
CHAPTER w.
Two months rolled on and Emma
and her husband had returned to tht
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