Delaware inquirer. (Wilmington, Del.) 1859-18??, 1860-03-17

guest chamber occupied.
Clarance was ever an early riser. The morr
ing stood at my window, and saw her gathcl
ing flowers; one came and stood beside hei
now and then, ms he hcnt down, his silver ha
mingled with her golden curls. lgently raise
my sash; thervoi could be distinctly heart
"Do you know Minne---'
al AM Clarance.h
"And Minnie who is Minnie LceW
"Not know Minne?" | heard Carance an
swer; "why, am Minnie's sister
ais Minnie us beautiful as your
Clarance laughed and called father.
"Nay, do not call him had trusted, ] In,
hoped that you were Minnie Lee
"Why?'
lie gazed down into her beautiful frank face
but did not reply. My father came up an'
greeted the stranger warmly.
aClarance,r he said, " this is Mr. DeForrest.' :
ave have become well acquainted father
only he thought was Minnie Lee"
Nv fathers brow darkenei. The breakfast
bell rung | needed not its summons, and they
| sat down without me. II was fully noon when
NV father sent for me into the library. en-
tered with proud naughty stepi even his heart
sunk as he gazed upon me-
Minnie Lee, he has come"
81 know ms muchn answered.
II was The first time had ever spoken dis
respectfully he sighed.
| al wish you to be courteous and polite
have nothing more to say
bowed and went out. At dinner they sat
down without me- but at supper my iathercon-
manded my presence. ROBBED with exquisite
clcpnnce. INV only ornaments pearls that wei
contrasted with my dark complexion went
down. Even now seem to see the worship OF
that man as he bowed at my shrine. felt that
| was really beautiful. We rosefrom the TAME
and proceeded to the drawing-room sang
and nlaved. do not know how, hut when ]
Glanced round, we were alone-he gazing In
tently upon me.
Pardon me- said rising, 1--WE will seek
the rest"
UMiss Sherman's pleasure is mine he an
swered.
u
thus addressed, but my pride came back and
refused his arm. There was something so
courteous, so dignifcd in his address, that had
not been bound to that man could have wor-
shiped him. The next night my father sentior
me.
at will please you, my Minnie, to learn that
YOU are free My beautiful child, Mr.. DeFor-
rest will not fetter your Wild proud spirit with
an old mans love-"
laid my head upon my fathers knee anu
went. The next day brought another stranger,
Horace England, Mr.. DeForrest's nephew, My
father placed no command upon me, and re-
yelled in my freedom.
One morning watched Clearance and Horace,
as they rode off together. Clearance looked
back up to my window, and kissed her hand.
aMinuie Leep It was nv fathers voice.
had been standing there u half hour. ! went
down; Mr.. DeForrest bent his knee, leaped
into my saddle he followed, checked my merry
stced aud We rode slowly long
"Minnie Lee he said 81 am going to tell
you the story of my life"
aPray do not" answered sarcasticaily, "if
it was through half a century"
aYou will not listen?' he questioned.
a cannot well help it, replied.
aMinnie Lee, your father won the only helng
| ever loved. | saw her twice afterwards, at
her bridal. in her sliroud He brought you 10
me, laid your velvet cheek against my own,
and swore that in after years you should be
my wife, eighteen years ago this very day. You
have become q regally beautiful wnman-ia
silyer-browed old man. Oh Minnie Lee Min
ME Lee y
He did not weep, had he done so, should
have despised him The words came from his
lips in n low wall. took his hand and touch
ed it with my lips, then galloped on faster and
faster, until | reached my home An hour
afterwards he came. did not go down to
dinner but that night stole quietly into the
darkencd sitting room; form was lying upon
the sofa. ] knelt beside it,
HFather," said, raising my hand to my lips,
81 do love Gerald DeForrest-I will be his
wife,
"Alinnie Leer'
II was his voice ! started to my feet but
he threw his arms around me, kissed again
and again my burning cheek.
aYou love the old man. NiHne?'
clasped my arms around his neck, tlncii'd
his forehead with my lips, then shrunl. bach,
but he only held me closer.
aMinnie Lee, the same loved years back but
have so sadly changed
pressed my Jeweled fingers over the silver
hair, and laughed as answered that my heart
life overshadowed my years
The next night my father sent for me. My
cheeks erimsoned as, with faltering steps,
passed along the gallOry knocked and enter
cd into my fathers presence. dared not look
up, for equally loved and revercd him.
"Mnnie, come here"
stood blushing before him.
"You will be his wifo2'
eyes, father"
"sit down, my chld let me tell you OF his
life"
Gle has told me- said.
ave shall very much,' he answered. Gee
raid DeForrest and were college chums, intl-
mate friends. In the same hotel at which we
boarded lived Southern gentleman and his
only daughter. We both loved heri wealthy
Gerald poor. Her father gave me her lan9,
and Gerald when he saw he might not honor
ably win her, left us. / never knew how well
she loved him until we were married. As