Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1870-07-29

vas dependent, and had arrived Ia Whining
/ TON g few ~ onths previous to the opening
OF my story, en- visit TO n relation, 6
prominent aud respected member Of tho
legal profession. Hu was q genial fellow.
always amiable with smile md q kind
word for every one, liberal i'll his expendi-
tnres, and never SO happy as when doing
something for others. He was, Of course,
q general favorite; the old csteomod him
for his good qualities of head and heart.
and the young loved MIN dearly, because
he Joined in all their youthful sports with
ae much hiiaCity as The youngest Of them
ali
Though intending to remain bu. short
time, weeks had passed, and months, and
still he fingered. lie had met Julia Will
burn; her dark eye had looked into lis,
aud he was fascinated. lie lOvod-Ioyed
with ali the feryor, the madness OF youth.
IN ti.clr moonlight walks be had whis-
peEc3 softly ii hor oaz, and sIo ha4 IN
sweTod, had told her Of his kores, his ox-
Dactations, his love, and she had placed
her hand il his and laid her head upon
lbs honEt.
'sBnt m3 fathcr, WaIter-his consent
must DO obtained, ard thongh | SOC 10
reason why ho shoIiu object. still [ know
not why, i,nt almost dread the idea of
informing him"
81 niIl see hin this very evening, my
s1goo1 onF, OF would 1t not be beet 10 70 to
liic, al once ?"
;'uorhars it would" said julia; though
To l.as always been q kind and indulgcnt
parent, l have lately observed q great
change i'll bis manner. He is absent and
a56tructed, and instead Of remaining at
nome a" snuch rs he was WORT TO DO, spends
nearly All uls TING at his office. He seems,
TOO, t. BE on terms Of intimacy With Mr..
Edwards, who, for au9ht I know, may be
~ honolablo Dlan, but whose association
[ dislike, nay, almost dread"
Pear nothing, nay dear julia" said
Walter; doubtless your fathers anxiety
and abstrRctedness arises from somo buai-
ness transactiOne--a speculation in which
ho, and perhaps Edwards also. are deeply
Interested. Bat lot Us go 20 him"
Mr. Wiiburn was sitting in an easy chair
in the front room! OF his mansion. On q
table neaI him lay pile of letters open,
while upon the floor q quantity OF news
papers were scattered in every direction.
His hands were clasped tightly together,
his head bowed upon his bosom, and the
ashy paleno5s Of his face betokencd some
powerful and terrible emotion
'Can it be ?" he groaned, cam 1 q bank
r1pt-a beggar Is this the result Of
years Of toll, Of sleeplees nights and days
OF anguish All gone IN moment, and
when about TO pluck the fruit for which /
haye So long laborGd, and which I thought
| had at last secured, it has turned to ashes
III my grasp, and like IN iJnis fat4us has
buC llted mo into ruin. And Edwards;
he holds my bond for large amount; how
repay hiIn NY sweet Child, too, my Ciar-
ling julia, nnrtured in luxury, to be
thrown upon the cold charity Of the world!
Oh, Godl Oh, God?' And tho strong
mau }owod Down ia agony and wopt bit
tcrig.
The door opened, aud julia and Walter
stood before him. Recovering his compo-
sure by powerful effort, he advanced to |
meet them, and, embracing his daughter,
shook Walter kindly by the hand, ana on
quirGd after the health of his uncle, and |
when he had last heard from him.
"NOt for months, replied Walter; l am |
unable to account for his long silence, and |
begin to feel sOme degree Of anxiety about |
him. Has there been late arrival. he |
aided, glancing as the letters on the table. |
- Yes, the ship Caroline arrived this aftcr-
noon" replied Mr.. Wilburn. Thcn, doubt
less, eaid Walter, sho brings me some IT,
aings from home. My good, kind uncle, |
how happy viii | be to hear of your con-
tinUed health, " MIR. Wilbnrn, he added" |
] have called this evening upon matter |
loved yOur daughter, and to day she has
blessed NC with the assurance that my af- |
fection is returned. My uncle, whose solo
heir an, and who loves me aq son, pos
se76es large estates arc you willing TO |
trust your daughters happiness with me |
All that true and loving heart can accom-
pli8h to giid her pathway through life, will |
be nay first and lest, and only thOught-to |
make her Aappy-tho cDiof object Of my |
existence.
"Young man." aaid Mr. W;lburn, |
f.,Fr 1A,Ls
They Gre bu5 poor security et best, and |
oftcnt5mcs excite hopes which end N bit
OF rflisanpojn;ments. They arc Quicksende,
which to0 frequently engulf the unwary
2rd confidIng. { know yOIg, however, Wal
er," he added kindly, and there is no
}nG to whose care and affection I would |
more willingly trust the happiness of my
3hild. But it Is my duty to say &c you
hat Information received this day from
Europe leaves no doubt OF nay utter and
complete ruin. | hayo embarked in sDecu-
ations most hazardous, but which prom
sed immense returns. Ihoy have failed,
snd all that l possess will not. [ am afraid,
)e sufficient to meet ny losses. You cay
7ou love my daughter. Think you that
7Cur love viii undergo no change when,
instead OF the neircss OF tho rich mer-
liant, you wed tho daughter Of the bank
-npt Wilburn @
- w nat is Wc9iLN, exclaimed W al |
or, "hroad lands or large posses
lions, in comparison to the love Of
nY>own sweet Julia. As ! have already
Old you, sir, my uncle has large estates
ny means viii be most ample but shO1ld
ny hopes and expectations prove false,
md L be compelled to daily soil for daily
bread, my own dear Julia will cheer me on
md tighten every labor, will nerve my
lrm and give fresh strength to struggle
With the world" What say yoa, Julia?
His arm encirCled her waist-~hef head
:e6ted upon his shouider-and as he gazed |
lpon her upturne3 face, beauiDg with af
ection-hc read his answer there.
The next morning, while Julia was bIlsi-
y engaged with her father arranging his
papers, Walter burst suddenly into the
DOM in great excitement, holding an open
etter in his hand.
Il have this momens received this, "
said he, handing it to Julia. 1T is from
ny uncie'e Solicitor. Tue old man is i'll,
nd from his advanced age [ fear his re-
,overy is doubtful. He requires my pres
Il. ~ 4 ,.+I