Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1863-05-08

his fathers wishes, and | expect and re-
quire the same obedience from my own
child"
Consented to obey p repeated Lena,
her cheeks burning with crimson. "And
you would force your daughter on the
acceptance of young man who cares
not for her--who even looks upon her
with repugnance-whose consent to such
an union is considered noble sacrifice to
flial obedience! Father, if you have so
little family pride and dignity, SO little
regard for my del:,acy and sensibility, !
at least know what is due to my own
character. will never be party in such
a TRANSACTION"
Lena, have you done ?"
L" No, sir, nor will ever cease till you
think as do-till you feel as l feel"
Enough, enough" interrupted Mr..
Moore, impatiently, II did not know
that you could talk SO finely John Lee
is young man of good principles, and
the heir of a large fortune. There is not
more desirable match in the country,
and he is willing to marry you"
John Leealoves me not. To me he
is very cold, distant, reserved and haugh-
ty. There is an expression in his eye
that makes me shrink into myself when
ever | meet him. | fear him, and he
dislikes me. There is a mutual repulsion
that never will be overcome. Obedience
in such a case, instead of being a virtue,
is sin. 1t is sacrilege, and God will
Judge it So"
4" AS for his being cold and naughty
you have made him so by your own pride
and reserve. 1t is you that freezes hin
into an iceberg and then complain of his
GOODNESS"
Il do not complain" said Lena, in {
tone of the deepest detection. 81 care
not for him nor his GOODNESS I grieve t.
think that you are so anxious to rid your
self of me, as if were burden to YOU
care. Ever since my mothers death,
continued she-tears forcing themselves
into her eyes, and glittering on thei
fringes-" | have tried to make you
happiness my first care. have neve
known wish of yours that | have no
endeavored to fulfill. Oh my dear ia
Their, know you love me; | know you
must want to make me happy. Letm
be So" she cried, impulsively throwing
her arms around him, and kneeling OIL
the footstool in most supplicating atti
tude. Let me remain with you just a
am, and require not of me the only &C
of ilial obedience would not gladly anc
unhesitatingly perform"
" You are right" said he, 81 d.
love you; | do wish your happiness, anc
know better than yourself how to Sc
cure it. You will thank me one day fo
the authority now exert. Lena, 20,
must obey me in this. You must marry
John Lee" His voice assumed toni
Of determination. II have said it," he
added, "more than once; and did yor
ever know me declare positively that {
thing should be, that / did not bring i
to pass? Did you ever? tell me-" The
dark shade of anger hung heavy on Bis
brow.
" Father, | cannot marry John Lee. ,
/" Do you dare tell me this, when it il
my absolute will that you should p
:" ] dare, when your will is contrary
to higher will"
Mark my Words" said he, in hus.
ky voice, -" if you persist in this rebel
lion, will no longer consider you my
daughter, and will not be responsible fol
your support. | will neither share my
home nor my fortune with an migrate
who mocks at my authority and resists
my will. This is the alternative. Choose
this moment. On one side wealth and
friends-on the other poverty and ban
ishment"
My choice is made, then" was her
low reply.
" InsuGerable insolent" exclaimed
Mr.. Moore, rising and walking the floor.
4" Father, this is unworthy Of you, y
said the young girl, with dignity and
spirit that gave fire to her eye and eleya-
ton to her tone. 4" IL is an unmanly
blow, and the hand that strikes it ought
to burn with shame, knowing as you do
that | love another, and have pledged to
him my hand, but because he is poor,
you have driven him from your door "
Pausing, and trying to hold down her
wounded and indignant feelings, she adj
ded-" With the education you have Civ
en- me, and which you cannot withdraw,
| shall have ample means Of support
You will give me time to seek another
home? You will not have it said that
you turned your daughter from your own
door before another was open to receive
her 2"
8" give you one month for reflection,
said the father, in calm tone, after a
long pause; for, though unmoycd in bis
determination, he began to be ashamed
Of the violence he had betrayed. " Ev-
erything depends on yourself, Lena. You
have a month Of probation. Improve it
well, for remember, at its close the door
will be shut You had better retire now
some one might enter and wonder at your
agitation"
4 Lena, still sobbing, took two or three
steps towards the door, then fingered and