The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1870-05-18
THE JUDaE,s DAUGHTER.


THE JUDGES DAUGHTER.
So sad is my story, and SO true, that
it seems branded into my memory in
letters OF fire. It is no, story. conjured
up by the Imagination, nor yet one that
neetls any glossing over by fertile pen.
All its incidents are real--none exagge-
rated. Not many years ago naughty
old man, q judge of fincorruptible morals,
died, leaving behind him two children.
After his death it was found that he had
not been 80 wealthy as many had ina
gined, yet rich enough to leave to each
daughter moderate competence. To
the eldest sister descended the home
stead and q sufficient income to keep up
their former style; to the younger $780,
600, invested in. On old and trusty bank.
From infancy .Estelle, the eldest, had
been acquainted with poor, but proud
spirited boy, She had watched his inef-
fectual struggles for an education such
as he desired, atlmiring his unconquera-
BILE ambition, and as he neared manhood
he became her most ardent lover. But
the old judge demurred. No daughter
Of his should encourage the attentions
Of a penniless youth-their intimacy
must cease. Obedient as child, she
listened to her fathers commands, and
obeyed them implicitly. He surrounded
her with gay company; he did everything
that twealth or taste could suggest, to win
her mind away from her boy lover. But
though she uttered no complaints, he
knew that she did not forget. At last
be died. He did not bind her with any
promises. Perhaps in death his eyes dis
covered that it needs more than mere
wealth TO bring happiness. After her
bereavement Rupert Kihgsland came to
her again.
..Estelle, my love. he said, passion
ately, ST could not keep away from you
longer, It may seem wrong to you for
me to come to you. now that he is gone,
when I know how much opposed he was
to me; but, darling, you are in trouble,
and must comfort ycu."
She did not ohide him. She believed
her father must have relented, or else he
would have spoken and forbidden her to
sobbed on his bosom like n child.
''Rupert," she returned, eff you had
forsaken me now, I should indeed be
desolate."
''And to leave you ever will kill mel"
he calculated, impetuously. Course my
fortune, that must be forever debarred
from you'll"
She started.
''Don't speak so fercely, Rupert, she
pleaded. ''No one stands between us
now"
''Yes, poverty stands between US, as it
ever did," he replied. "Never will
take advantage of his decease to step un-
worthily where he forbade me. If I
could ever obtain my wish of becoming
great and famous physician, Estelle,
then would I be proud to como to you. %
where would you 60 to become q
doctor?" she queried.
II would study in England, France
and Germany" was his eager response
'.To be commonplace physician would
not satisfy me. must be the equal of
the most eminent"
For moment she was silent.
Rupert" she observed presently,
''the way is open for you at last. My
money is left untouched. In no way
know it was aiding you to obtain your
life's desire. You shall go to England,
France and Germany. Only return to
me as pure as you leave me-"
For q time, he opposed such sugges-
ton. He could not accept her money
But in proportion to his unwillingness
to receive, became her eagerness to be-
stow. At last, ho consented. He would
only consider it loan, to be repaid at
some future day. He would send to her,
ns to q banker, for what he required, and
remain away somo four or fve years
Her sister was very much opposed to it.,
when informed of what Estele proposed
to do.
"You are exceedingly unwise, Es-
telle," ahe said, angrily. "to draw from
our capital TO give to him. doubt his
goodness doubt his ever returning"
Estelle was wounded, but not discou-
ragged. She made him a present of a
very handsome gold watch and chain,
and money enough to defray all ex-
penses incidental to his journey and first
admittance to medical school. Then
he was to write to her, and she would
send him more. His first two years were
passed in England, and he received
money from her every quarter. He
lived in style, even luxury, surrounded
himself with everything he could wish
for; and though sometimes she thought
he must be very extrayagant in his
habits. she made no inquiries. no COM