Middletown transcript., 1868-03-28

young man, while he himself would enact
the purse-proud, indignant parent 1t was
almost certain, in such case, that Katie
would fall desperately in love with her fa-
ther's choice, if she could overlook his ad
vanccd age. Mr. Langdon, therefore, was
invited to the house and prevailed upon,
as joke, to appear before Katie as one of
her fathers clerks.
At dinner time that day Mr.. North in
formed Katie that one of his clerks would
call on him in the evening in relation to
business, and that he preferred she would
absent herself from the parlor on that
occasion. " He is what you school girls
call a fascinating II "a, and l have no de-
sire that my daughter should be fascinated
by poor, beggarly clerk! ~
And Mr.. North rose grandly, and turned
away in order that Katie might not see the
twinkle in his eye, which her rebelious
pout had brought there. Miss Katie had
intended to visit dear friend that evening.
but now she determined to postpone the
visit in order to catch a glimpse of this
dangerous clerk.
That evening Mr.. Langdon came. Ka-
tie saw him as he assembled the steps, and
was pleased with his appearance, and de-
termincd to see more of him. He was ush-
cred into the parlor, and was soon engaged
with his host in a pleasant conversation,
when the door suddenly opened and the
dutiful daughter entered as if unconscious
of the presence of a stranger. When she
saw Mr. Langdon she started as though
she would retreat, but her father called
her in and introduced her in a stiff, un-
| ornf tn hiS
my daughter, Mr. Langdon," and
then sat down, as if annoyed at the in
tcrruption.
Katie bowed and took a scat.
Langdou startled by such vision oflove-
lncss, was dumb for moment, then rising
gracefully he made his most elaborate sa-
lam, and, in spite of the old gcntleman's
frowns, was soon engaged in "a sparkling
interchange of thought with the fair daugh-
ter. Arthur WAS as agreeable as he knew
how to be, and Katie was charmed with
him, as she predetermined to be. All
went merry as marriage bell, until Mr..
North, thinking matters had gone quite
far enough for favorable first impression,
hcmmed, hawed, consulted his watch, and
finally remarked -
- Mr. LangIon and have much to say
to each other. Katie have you ordered
4 breakfast Z"
: Lang,:on looked sad. Katie poutcG !;
e but she took the hint and withdrew The
t fascinating clerk held the door for her,
and, as he bade her good-evening, he gave
c her look which haunted her dreams,
Katie was smittcn, and Langdon was
j no less so. The old gentlcmans talk about
y business seemed insipid and Arthur soon
. took his leave. His calls were frequent
: after that, and while Katie wondered why
her father should tolerate his presence, she
h became more and more entangled in the
q silken meshcs of love. Langdon finally
n declared the state of his feelings, to Mr..
G North, and requested him to become his
s father-in-law.. His suit was gladly accep-
r ted, but he was told that his success de-
V pended upon his maintaining the charac-
ter of remarkable genius in romantic
c poverty" lie accepted the situation, and
\ went many times to sec Katie when her
r father was out. They soon plighted un-
dying faith to each other. Langdon pain
: ted the picture of pretty cottage, where
It love should be the household deity, in
;, colors as bright as Claude Melnotte en-
of Como, and Katie vowed to wed with
d him and no other, with or without parental
It consent or blessing.
$ But how was the matter to be broached
n to the stern father? Arthur shrank from
II the insulting answer to be anticipated, and
i Katie, while she feared, clung still closer
: to her adored one. Their anxiety on
" this point was destined to be relieved in a
e very disagreeable manner. One evening,
n as they were sitting in rather close prox-
; unity in the parlor, the door suddenly
l. opened, and in stalked the cruel parent
/ with most furious mien.
v What means this?" he cried, frown-
is ing savagely.
" :" 1t means that love-
d " Fiddlesticks p
d "No, sir; your daughter"
h " Really, Mr.. Langdon, you are mod
est l had not expected this honor. The
l. high alliance you potter is duly apprecia-
l. ted but allow me to bid you goodnight y
:, my poverty is a crime in your eyes
!, but your daughter has a nQbler vision, "
m said Arthur, striking dramatic attitude.
ID | understand you, sir, and will take my
10 departure" So saying, he seized Katie's
O. hand for moment, and darted from the
" house. Katie was sent crying to bed, and
d more deeply in love than ever with hcl
le beloved Arthur. The next day she re.
Ks ceived note through a confidential chan.
ID mel, appointing an interview Loving
j. but disobedient Miss Katie, met him as
he desired and they had many similar stoler
ID interviews afterwards, until at last it was
he agreed that they would elope, and trust tc
m receive papa's forgiveness when all was
er over. Arthur said he could take her tc
ID his aunt's house, where the ceremony
u could be performed, and so the time was
appointed and everything arranged.
e. That day Katie was more than ever ten.