The morning star and Catholic messenger. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1868-1881, 1869-09-26

her atf;lble old father. tried TO stife those
feelings, and to look upon our acquaintance in
the simple light of a musical one. am afraid
the very effort made 10 hide them must have
in some way betrayed them to Laura, for be-
came impressed with growing conviction
that she knew what ! felt, and that her own
inclinations were ut least not unfavorable to-
wards me. / noticed, when she parted from
me of evening, how she would raise those
eyes to mine with gentle expression that
made me giddy. Laura had speaking eyes, as
folks said. They were not bashful eyes, but
mild and gentle, and seemed to flash back q
favorable answer to what louged to yet dared
not ask dared not tell her lest, If she reject
ed me, it should get hruited about Stepminster
that the board had n one-eyed inspector. That
would he ruin 1t was clear to me must keep
this secret locked up in my eyelid. But
suppose l should be married with my glass eye,
and never tell my wife i! 1 should be found
out. There would be an end to all confidence,
for | should be u wretched deceiyer-and would
it not be obtaining wife and u fortune under
false pretences3 However, candidfy, / only
expected rejection of my suit and should !
for this put my eye into any ones power, and
lose any place as Inspector No, would know
my fate first. could easily tell her afterwards.
Excuse my not dwelling on the terms in which
l laid bare the state of my feelings to Laura
Tredgold. 1t is neither here nor there to the
story. -
q L have loved you, Mr.. Crossley,' she said,
with emotion. I have never loved another.
Yet fear l can never be yours You do not
know" she continued, sobbing my shoulder,>
what brought us TO Stepminster. No, yoH/lo
not know. Yet if you Will ask my father, first,
for his consent to your suit, and next, to tell
you What brought us.tu Stepminster: if his
answer to the first is favorGbfp1fo your desire,
and if his answer to the second is satisfactory
to your mind, L will be your wife,
This seemed queer to me- What did 1 care
lNhas brought tbTna 80 7sstapHiinste5s Abso-s
fsss3s Whilst we rara tal 4lss,.
old gentleman had been up stairs to runimage
out some>new trios for our next practice.
a. lovely things" said Mr.. Tredgold, pat
ting them affectionately.
49, Could l have little conversation with
you, Mr.. Tredgold, i'll privateP
oh, nonsenset Not now. 1 know what yop
1aYc got to say. That's ali my eye, SIR he
said severely;, 1--WE are going to practice now.
enthusiastic rasp ut his dOuble-buss we win
talk, if you like, after supper, when Laura
goes to bed. Now, then-one, two, three
And off he went into chamber music. II
was 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, wishing me goodnight
resting her fun dark eyes on mine with new
and happier meaning in them retired.
"'Well, Mr. Crossley,' tic old gentleman
began, when he heard Lauras footstcp die
away UP the stairs, we'll, sir, l expect /
Know What yam EdXC % my rs vet be-
candid, and tell you ain not taken by surprise.
have had good many young men here, and
] have observed their attentions TO my daughter
have naturally resulted in a little CONVERSATION
with me. / have also watched You, and had
no doubt your attentions would result similar
~ III few words III private with me, Now,
let US have these few words short and To the
purpose. You are come to tell you love
my daughter Laura
This was most uupromising beginning,
certainly. 1t is very annoying to get the
ground cut from ttnCrtsSssII f4II-G. TIA this be-
willcring candor.
80 certainly was about to say, sir, thatsd
love Your daughter; that I love her fTuTy ana
disutereStedly ; and that in making this con-
fession, have not an eye to
80 Iou have not an eye to" echoed Mr..
Tredsold, emphasizing the not in very UNI
pleasant manner.
degree influenced by pecuniary considerations,
knowing, though do, that Miss Tredgolds
position is very far above mine, from pecu-
mary point of view, In fact, q reflection oa
this very inequality has for long time pre-
vented my declaring the state of my feelings
to Miss Trcdgold herself, notwithstanding
had reason to hope that it would be rccipro-
Gated on her part
''. Well. sir l can only say have other
intentions respecting my daughters future
Mr. Iredgold conshed. Fac very words.
1t was all over, thought.
90 Than pecuniary ones the old gentleman
added, after q slight pause. They are very
onc-cyed sort of consideration, siV, after ALL
. acquicsCed, bnt wished lie would n0t
allude to partial blindness even in that meta.
phUricdl manner,
a. But, hlr. TrcdEolI continued, having
scr'f'n great deal of you for soHe time pest, I
am not disposed TO think You a iDhtn.ncrd
by considerations of this kind. Have you
mentioned your sentiments TO Miss IEedgold
les3 Aud they arc rGturneds Yes III that
case you may consider the matter settled so
far MY consent is concerned l am simply
anxious for her happiness. No doubt you
wonder at my ready assent in. your case to Il
suit which have refused n number of genVie-
men in much better positions than your
l have my own reasons. do not want money
for my daughter. l can give her as much as
think is good for any young pair to have
80 What gem of afather-in-lawH Thought.
@ The fact is, am a student, sir he went