Cedar Falls gazette. [volume] (Cedar Falls, Iowa) 1860-1895, 1868-10-16

A Comedy I'm Two Acts.
PART l.,

PART 1.
"And so, sir, this is y our decision?''
Honor, father, forbids any other. u
"Do you mean to say, sir, that you
are engaged to tho girl ~
mot exactly. l await her decis
ion.,'
Then you have proposed?"
81 have, SIR"
"And you've resolved to marry
Miss Cameron, and not Miss Dash.
wood ?n
IF Miss Cameron will accept me. u
VERY well, sir-very we'll! This
is your gratitude-this your filial du.
ty, you self-willed, ungrateful dog
in return for the trouble I've had
with you--the efforts I've made tc
secure for you the best match i'm the
country. Here is a fine, handsome
dashing young woman, rich, and he.
longing to one Of the first families oI
the country, whom you throw aside
for the sake of pale faced chit of 6
clergyman's daughter"--
"Father!"
Don't father me, sir--don't inter.
rupt me--don't speak to me again
Get out Of my sight but remember
the day on which you marry Lena
Cameron you will cease to be q son
of mine. III disown, disinherit YOU
sir, and leave all have to the new
Orphan Asylum!"
Such was the scene enacting i'm
Squire Chester's parlor-a scene fra.
quently presented upon the stage tO
sympathising and delighted crowds
an irate father, portly, red faced
and loud-voiced, with hands beneath
coat-tails, a d Pickwick, and eye.
glaring wrathfully through gold rim
med spectacles, upon handsome ant
undutiful son, bent upon wedding
the object of his souls idola'ry
against his fathers wishes. Yet In
this instance it was no mere acting
but on the part of each, serious ano
resolute earnest.
To add to the dramatic effect, al
the moment in which the Squire,
last words were spoken, fair, deli
cate looking girl, who was about Ell
tering the room, catching tn,
sound of tho angry voice, pauset
on instant with her hand OH the doo
knob, as ifhesitating whether 70 en-
ter. And thus IT happened that sh,
heard her own name coupled will
the threat already mentioned.
She turned then, and glided swift
ly up the stairs to her own room
Locking the door, she threw herself
on a couch. and, burryiDg her fac,
In the pillows, remained q long tim,
quite mOtionless. She did not weep
but when she at length arose her fac,
was very pale, and her sweet blu,
eyes had a haggard look of sufierins
painful to witness in one so young.
Seating herself Mt the table. sh,
drew toward her writing desk, ant
wrote as follows:
"DEAR Cousin PHILIP :-Sinc,
our interview Of yesterday, | hav,
thought the matter over, and come /,
the conclusion that IL will be bes
that We shonld not marry. Do no
blame me-do not question me, ever
/ have reasons which / cannot ex
plain, but act rs think will he tn
best for US BOTH" -"
"Where IL Miss Cameron ?" aues
toned Philip of the servant VIII,
handed him this note.
"Gone over to Elmwood, sir, t
her aunt, Mrs. Page. heard he
say she should stay there until he
return to the city In few days"
An hour after, Philip Chester wa
on his way to Elmwood. The patl
was lonely, leading through seques
tered wood. aud he was consequent
ly surprised when, at an abrupt turn
ing, he came suddenly face to fac
with ii young lady-very tall, yer,
handsome, and attired i'm rich ri
ding habit and floating plume. Phil
ip lifted his hat respectfully, AM
would have passed on, but the lad,
paused full I'm the path before him.
:. Excuse me you are Mr.. Philil
Chester ?u
He bowed.
"And am Jose phins Dashwood.
In his surprise he hardly knew
what to say.
II did not know-I was not awar
of Miss Dashwood's being i'm Tia
neighborhood.
II dare say not. You were expec
ting, perhaps, you and your honor
ed father, to behold me for the frs
time at the residence of my respec
ted uncle and guardian, Simon Wal
ker, esquire. But you see I was to,
anxious to wait, so Iconcluded to rul
down Tor day or two to Elmwood
on the strength of Mrs. Page beiD,
an old friend of my mother. / wan
ted to see you Mr.. Chester
"You do me honor,n said PhiIir
puzzled In what manner to treat thi
| frank avOwal. The young lad.
meanwhile carelessly played witt
her horses name.
81 am glad OF this accidental meet
ing," she resumed, "for / was jus
thinking how it would be possible l.
obtain private interview"
Philip stared.
II believe,n continued she, coolIy
"that there has been some arrange
ment made concerning MS by thos
two old--I mean by your much hon
ored father and my highly respecte,
uncie--a little matrimonial scheme
am not mistaken. Very kind O
them, doubtless, though ii migh
have been kinder to have left US t
choose for ourselves, and be happy Ii
our own way"
A faint gleam Of hope began +
dawn on Philip.
81 want to tell you a secret, MI
Chester. May trust you?'.
"If you will do me the honor.n h
replied. still coldly.
"Ah, see you don't like me bu
you will after awhile. This, then,
my secret. / am In love--pray DON
/ ba alarmed mot vii n vory ~