The Plymouth weekly Democrat. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1860-1869, 1869-06-24

said with emotion, 'and only YOU. l
have never loved another. Yet l fear l
can never be yours. You do not know
not know she continued. sobbing on my
shoulder, what brought US to Stepminster.
No, you don't know. Yet, if you will ask
nv father, first, for his consent to your
sui, and next to tell you what brought us
to Stepminster, if his answer to the first
is favorable to your desire, and if his an
swer to the second is satisfactory to your
mind, will be your wife
"This seemed queer to me- What did
care what brought them to Stepminster !?
Absolutely nothing.
whilst we had been talking-Laura
and 1.-THE old gentleman had been up
stairs, to rummage out some new trios for
our next practice.
"Lovely thingsl' said Mr.. Tredgold,
patting them affectionately.
"Could have little conversation with
you, Mr.. Tredgold, in private?'
go, nonsensei Not now. know
what you've got to say-or l guess. That's
all my eye, sir he said severely: we are
going to practice now. 0, they are love
ly thingsr and he took an enthusiastic
rasp at his double-bass. I'VE will talk, if
you like, after supper, when Laura goes
"And off we went into chamber music.
1t was a very constrained affair, after what
I knew, and what Laura knew, and what
we both judged, feel sure, that he seemed
to know was coming. For three blessed
hours we kept this up; then supper came,
which thought never would end. At
last, Laura kissed her father, and wish
ing me goodnight, resting her full, dark
eyes on mine with new and happier
meaning in them, retired.
"Well, Mr.. Crossley,' the old gentle
man began, when he heard Laura's foot
steps die away up the stairs well,
sir, l expect 1 know what you have
to say | may as we'll be candid, and
tell you l am 10: taken by sur
prise. l have had good many
young men here, and / have OBJ
served their attentions to my daugh-
ter have naturally resulted in
little conversation with me. | have also
wstched you, and had no doubt your at
tentiOns would result similarly in few
words in private with me. Now, let us
have these few words short and to the
purpose. You are come to tell me you
love my daughter, Laura?'
"This was most unpromising begin
ming. certainly. 1t is very annoying to
get the ground cut from under your feet
with this bewilderiDg candor.
&c / certainly was about to say, sir, that
love your daughter; that | love her
truly and disinterestedly and that in
making this confession l have not an eye
to-
"' You have not an eye to p echoed Mr..
Tredgold, emphasizing the not in very
unpleasant manner.
Z" mean, sir, am not in the slightest
degree influenced by pecuniary considera-
tiOns, knowing, though / do, that Miss
Tredgolds position is very far above mine
from pecuniary point Of view. In fact.
a reflection on this very inequality has for
long time prevented my declaring the
state of my feelings to Miss Tredgold her
self, notwithstanding had reason to hope
that it would be reciprocated on her part
"Well, sir, can only say have other
intentions respecting my daughters fu.
ture-'
"Mr. Tredgold coughed The very
words. 1t was all over, l thought.
"Than pecuniary ones,' the old gentle
man added, after slight pause. They
are very One-eyed sort of consideration,
sir, after all
II acquiesced but l wished he would
not sllude to partial blindness even in that
metaphOrcal manner.
"But,' Mr.. Tredgold continued, hav-
ing seen good deal of you for some time
past, l am not disposed to think you a
man influenced by considerations of that
kind. Have you mentioned your senti-
ments to Miss Tredgold? Yes? Aud
they are returneds Yes? In that
case you iaay consider the matter settled
so far as my consent is concerned. l am
simply anxious for her happiness. No
doubt you wonder at my ready assent in
your case to suit which have refused a
number of gentlemen in much better
positions than your own. l have my own
reasons. do not want money for my
daughter. / can give her as much as |
think it good for any young pair to have
"What gem of father.in-lawp l
thought.
"rhe fact is l am student, SIR he
went on,-'a humble one, it is true,-Of
Individual character as delineated in the
human eye"
az began to feel very particularly un-
comfortable
"At one time I studied phrenology.
What is moral character? says the phre-
nologist Moral character, he replies, is
bumps. I tried nosology. What is the
index of intelligence? asks the nosolOgist.
He knows nothing. They are all wrong
together. Where do l look to read the
moral and perceptive faculties OF the
human mind s-whither do l turn to
seek for infallible indications that my con-
fdence shall not be misplaced? To the
eye, sir. The eye is the window of the
soul. That is where a mans character is
written. Depend upon it, it is all in your
eye
Really, this was very dissgreeable. 1
was so perplexed could not tell what to
do. 1t flashed through my mind that |
had better go down on my knees, and 1T
once avow myself wretched one eyed in
postor, regardless of all consequences to the
inspectOrship. But this is weakness,
so many years standing, and lose Laura
and the inspeotorship at one fell swoop ?
No. With powerful effort, l controlled
my feelings.
"'I have read your eyes, said Mr. Tired
gold, and must say they impress me
with favorable opinion of the candOr
and frankDess of your disposition
"What a guilty being felt
"a very favorable opinion, sir. And l
will say have confidence in you. Plainly,
l like you; and would rather have you
for son-in-law than any other young gen.
tleman know and l believe you will
make Laura good husband
"For very shame, could hardly find
words suitable to express my acknowledg-
ments of his good opinion but l blurted
out something, and the old gentleman
shook me cordially by the hand, and
wished me good night.
"'I don't know if you will think me
| uudulV iDuuieitiveb said tbut 1 should