The Bedford gazette. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1805-current, 1869-01-29

SuItOfS c0ngfegated around her.
"Well, Tess" said Mr.. Terryn, one
night-he was getting wondrousIy
proud of his adopted daughters success
in the world of society-"are you going
out to night ?"
eyes, papa"
''Whom with ?'
"Colonel Randolph"
81 thought Charley had taken a box
at the opera for youw
81 promised Colonel Randolph first, y
said Tesora, languidly playing with
her fan.
"And how about tomorrow night?
1 suppose Charley could get his tickets
transferred"
II am SO sorry, sir, but l am engaged
for to morrow night.
Mr.. Terryn rose and walked rest
lessly up and down the room. He was
a man much guided by opinion of his
fellow-me Tesora must be treasure
else why this competition among the
young millionaires for her society
Look here, Tess-Charley will be
so disappointed -
81 can't help it, Let me see"-and
she glanced at the tables" Friday is
the only evening | have disengaged." :"
"FiddIestick - muttered the old
gentleman, uneasily. 1t seems to me
you're getting to be a great belle,
Miss !"
Gam, papa ~ said Tess, laughing.
"But you see | am your own little girl
still"
And she gave him a little coaxing
kiss.
"My own little girl-yes-but what
Will you become when Colonel Ran
dolph or Dayton L'Estrange, or some
other of these scamps, takes you away
from mer'
Tesora blushed until the rose on her
cheek was like carnation.
"They will not papa"
won't they? am not altogether
so sure Of that"
But the next afternoon he came
home from his office with "a puzzled
face.
"They have come, Tess !"
"What have come ?"
'The offers of marriage-tWo of 'em,
by Jupititer Colonel Randolph and
Mr.. Dupinier! What do you say,
Tess ?''
II must think of it, papa"
Every gentIemanly, / must say
both well off, substantial fellows, and
profess to be desperately in love with
my girl. But, Tess"
"Well, sir ?"
''You won't leave as, dear? Think
how desolate the old house will be
without you !"
Tesora was silent-her hand drop
ped.
Father" said Mrs. Terryn, gently,
"let the girl decide for herself. We
have no right to stand between her and
a home and a husband of her own.D
"But she might have a home and
husband Of her own here!" burst in
Mr.. Terryn. That isl mean-Char-
ley"
81 have refused Charley, to-day -
said Tesora calmly.
"Refused Charley! And Why -,
Because [ have reason to believe
that his suit was pressed without the
approval Of his father. Oh, sir, could
you think that, after all your kindness,
could steal your sons du ty away from
you! | would rather die!"
"Spoken like yourself, Tess" said
Mrs. Terryn, going to her and kissing
her.
Tess, do you love him ?'' eagerly
questioned the father.
THAT has nothing to do with the
question, sir" she answered, reserved
Iy.
"But l want to know" he insisted.
4 do love him, sir, then"
"And you have refused him only be-
cause [ didn't approvew
eyes, sir.''
"But do approve, Tess 1t would
make me the happiest old father in the
world, if could call you both my chil-
dren in real truth"
Charles Terryn rose from his seat and
came eagerly forward.
"Tesora-dearest-you hear him
Once more l ask you to be my wife -
And Tesora hid her face on his
shoulder, weeping-but Tesora was We
ry happy, nevertheless!
"But, my love-" said Mrs. Terryn,
softly, "what has wrought such
change in your sentiments 20
CT don't know" said the old gen.
tleman, evasively. 81 say Tess, what
shall l tell the Colonel and Mr.. Dupin-
ier ?''
"Tell them, sir" spoke up Charley,
"that she has a previous engagement"
And so the mothers management
prevailed, and little Tess's first home
was her last.