Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1870-06-22

ally young women, often do pity without
rhyme or reason. 1t might be as well if you
should bestow little sympathy on those he
has ruined
this gentleman's head which had always
been great care to his daughter, in conse-
quence of a tendency it had to stand up.
She absently smoothed it down now, and
since it would not stay, laid another lock
over it.
:" Would you have condemned him if be
had succeeded, papa?'
This question brought a faint color into
the Judges face. - Ii he had succeeded, he
would have been able to meet his liabilities, -
he replied evasively.
" And now he is not "
- Now he is not.''
&" People are very angry she asked. pill
ing another lock of hair on to that trouble
some one, which showed signs of revolt.
" They are ready to tear him in pieces,
Rose. There are a dozen actions out against
him.
he p"
"Just as l might expect that there will
be fine weather year from to-day. He
meant to pay if he could; but the chances
were ten to one against him.
"l Isn't that the way he has been making
assured voice, and let her hand slip down to
her fathers shoulder, where 1t pressed.
Judge Fanshawe began to suspect that he
was being rather cleverly cross-questioned, !,
and he did not like it. a. You don't under
stand these subjects, my child,' he said,
with touch of Impatience. 80 Public opin-
ion pronounces against Francis Grey, and we
have no more to do with him. | shall pro-
badly give him civil recognition when |
meet him; but if he has the bad taste to
put himself in your way, | wish you TO take
no notice of him, 1t is well known that he
was suitor of yours, and you cannot be too
decided in letting it be seen that the affair is
at an end"
He finished with short nod, which in
court the lawyers always understood to mean
that there was no more to be said on that
subject.
9 Papa, pity him very, very much,"
said Rose again.
Her father dropped his papers, stretched
an arm, and drew her round in front of him.
His face wore a startled expression. 81 My
dear child,'' he said, a. is this going to hurt
you Did you mean to accept him ?"
"No, did not" she answered quite
steadily. 81 But | do not think il right to
desert him because every one else does. OF
course, he has done wrong but that isn't
have been shocked a good while ago. And
maybe, papa, if his other ventures had been
frowned upon, he would not have made
this"
Judge Fanshawe dropped his daughters
hand, and drew back with an air of displeAs-
ure.
Don't be vexed - she added hastily
% can't help thinking, you know; and
that is the way the affair looks to me-"
If the Judge had felt that he was on lofty
and unassailable ground, he might have
with his daughter. But he had
already been at some pains to convince him
self that he was not tardy moralist, and it
was mortifying to find that his suspicion was
her conviction. - We will drop the subject,
if you please he said coldly, and resumed
his employment,
Rose went 10 the window, and stood there
looking out into the early twilight. :" Poor
Pe4faps sG he sh% vii XII himself % %wis hs som a
body would be good to him. But no one
will. I'm sure of that. l haven't lived
nineteen years for nothing When my faith
er won't be merciful, can't expect any one
else TO be. Oh, dear I'm awfully afraid
shall get to like him immensely, if this
goes on. Nature and 1 abhor vacuum
and there will be such a dreadful void Of
pity and affection about Francis Grey,
shan't be able to keep from rushing IN 10 fill
it up
Papa " she said, turning round, but
without leaving the window.
He looked at her coldly.
d" If you were to speak kindly to him, and
give him some good advice, don't you think
it would be better 20
" Certainly not - he replied with decis-
ion. 8. And now, will you have the good
ness to recollect that | have dismissed the
subject"
With sigh of perplexity Rose returned
to the window. Presently a servant entered
and gave her letter. She glanced listlessly
at the cover, wondered little who her cor
respondent might be, broke the seal, and
Immediately became absorbed in the con-
tents.
After while her fathers attention was
attracted by a sound very like weeping, and,
glancing that way, he saw Rose leaning in
the shadow of the curtain, with her face in
her hands.
- What's the matter, child ?'' he excaim
ed. Why, i didn't mean to be cross, dear.
Come and make up"
Rose went to him, wiping her eyes.
90 There, papa" she said, - you can't help
pitying him after reading that
Judge Fanshawe's countenance changed as
be took the letter and settled himself back
in his chair to read it. Rose had not, then,
been grieving over his displeasure.
If Mr.. Francis Grey had known into what
hands his missive was to fall, its composition
would, doubtless, have been more carefully
considered. But, addressing himself only
to Rose, and thinking only of her, every line
he wrote was calculated to exasperate her
father. He did not dream of renewing his
offer of marriage, the young man wrote, but
he begged for her pity and sympathy. and
for a few lines, assuring him at least of her
friendship. Il had no right to risk the
property Of others, Own," he admitted.
80 But if had succeeded, those who are now
the loudest in denunciation would have been
first to praise
Judge Fanshawe's face grew dark as he
read, and having finished, he crushed the let
lcr in his hand, and tossed it contemptuously
into the fire. Facing his daughter then, for
the first time he saw in her the reflection OF
his own naughty spirit.
" Father" she said, you have burned
every word of that letter into my hearth
" Rose" he exclaimed, angrily, "you as
tOnish me l thought you had more sense
of propriety. Let there be an end to this
l will inform Mr.. Grey what think of his
trying to draw my daughter into clandes-
tine correspondence.
Rose was very pale, but quiet. % | would
like to write to him. she said.
60 forbid it -
She was silent a moment; then repeated,
" | really think shall write to him, papa. -
Judge Fanshawe looked at his daughter
too astonisbed and indignant to speak at
once. Her calmness, no less than her unex-
pected defiance, had taken him completely
by surprise. Evidently she needed strong
hand. lie must make short work of it, or
his authority would be gone before he knew
it. Rose" he said deliberately, "when
an answer to that note goes out of this house
you may go with it-and not return -
Very well she answered, quietly.
and, after moment, left the room
That evening Miss Campbell saw no pref
ty family group in the house across the way