American citizen. [volume] (Butler, Butler County, Pa.) 1863-1872, 1866-10-17

nation already pressing down upon his
feelings.
''This is all wrong" he sighed, as he
walked away, shut how could say no !?
Dear girl How delighted she win be. !"
After reading his mornings letters,
which, 10 his no trifing disappointment,
covered not single remittance, Mr. Per
cival referred to his bank book, and de-
duetel the check given for the watch
and chain. After this deduction the
balance looked very small. Three notes
were to be paid on that day. They were
not large, but their aggregate amount
exeee Cd the balance in bank by sum
nearly equalhng TIE check just draYn.-
lie knew this would be the case when he
gave the check, but he had weakly coun-
ted en- remittance. Now he must do
what was never pleasant to hin-borrow.
'It was early in June, and the day
proved to be one Of those warm, depress-
ing days so trying to feeble constitutions.
Business matters did not run very smooth :
ly during the mqlning, and Mr.. Percival
suffered much annoyance. The sum of
two hundred dollars which he had to
make up was small matter, AMI yet he
was more than an houron the street, gong
from friend to friend, before he found one
who could spare that amount for a few
days. lie felt weak and out of spirits,
when he started homcward at dinner time
taking with him the handsome present
for Rose. she was in the parl9r, alone,
waiting fer him. Too restless TO sit, she
was standing at Tie window, locking out
,hsongh the partly drawn curtain, when
she saw him ascend the steps;with slow,
weary air His face WAS turned towards
her. and she noted, herself unseen, lis
care and languor How the pale face of
chat loving father Frightened upon her
as she mqt him at the parIor door. He
drew out the package containing the
watch, kissed her as he prosecuted is, and
'a kcl INTO her beooiifu. face lovingly.
.Ynuae sod, dear, dear father -
No-e ZIP her head upon lis breast aad
s,lbcJ two or three times. Mr.. Pcrci-
val drew his arms around her and held
Iar tightly
Father, said Rose, as sQon as she
could n gol erscl | fling h r head, Il
want you to promise no one thing"
What is il my pet p
THAT you viii not say one word about
his to mother or Helen, or anybody
else"
Nh Percival might well be surprised.
'.Ypg'ro strange girl, he said, look
ing puzzled.
"Auj you are good, obodicnt father,
aaa III. DO Just what | say" answered
tae flushed maiden, as she kissed him
New, remem en- not a word. No one
is to know anything about tbs until l
say So"
And she dropped the unopened pack
age into her pocket.
And you are really in earnest, Rose?"
IN downright earnest. Now, you
promise -
"Oh, Of course. 1 will be as silent as
the grave until you say speak"
THAT'S darling father" And Rosa
drew her arm through his, and they went
up stairs together. Mr.. Perciyal kept
his word, and said nothing about the
watch. lFifs and daughters noted with
feelings Of anxiety the expression of
more than usual concern in his face, the
air of physical and mental depression,
and lack of appetite for food. To thci
many questions and remarks, he tried to
answer checrfully; but they we're not de-
ceivcd Il was the first warm summer
day, and already he was breaking d1wn.
'You must get away TO the country as
soon as possible" said Rose.
Mr. Perciyal looked at her tenderly,
yet with an expression cf pain about the
mouth.
Il shall have to talk with business
about that" he answered, cyasively, and
with q faint smile
Rose glanced towards her mother, but
did net meet her eyes A thought Of
the gold watch in her pocket checked
the words that were rising to her lips
As soon as they all left the din ner table,
she went TO her room, and after locking
the door, so thTt no one might come in
upon her suddenly. opened the package
which her father had given her. Be
sides the elegant watch and chain, it con
iained the reeeipted bill, which the jew
eller had placed therein.
"A hundred and eighty dollars !" ex-